Process Simulation of 68Ge Preparation by Medium-High Energy Cyclotrons

This study focuses on the simulation of target preparation，dissolution，and separation- purification processes for the production of the vital medical radioactive isotope 68Ge using medium-high energy cyclotrons. It encompasses the preparation and quality inspection of gallium-nickel alloy targets，target dissolution，the establishment of analytical detection methods，and the optimization of simulation conditions for the separation and purification of 68Ge. Initially，gallium-nickel alloy targets were prepared on copper backing plates by optimizing the electrodeposition process conditions. Analytical detection methods were then established using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Subsequently，the dissolution process of the gallium-nickel alloy targets was studied using an electrochemical anodic oxidation method. Finally，the combined use of Tulsimer CH-90 chelating resin and Sephadex G25 gel resin was employed to optimize the simulation conditions for the separation and purification of 68Ge，completing the process simulation study. The results indicate that the prepared gallium-nickel alloy targets have a smooth and flat surface with a uniform composition distribution，containing 74.7% gallium and 25.3% nickel，and have a thickness of 179 mg/cm2，suitable for medium-high energy proton irradiation above 30 MeV. The established ICP-MS internal standard method enables accurate quantitative detection of germanium and impurity elements. The electrochemical method allows for simple and rapid dissolution of the gallium-nickel alloy layer without heating. The combined use of chelating resin and gel resin for separation and purification yields germanium-containing sample solutions with high recovery rates and purity. Through the aforementioned process simulation studies，a simulated process flow for target preparation，target dissolution，analytical detection，and separation-purification has been established，providing technical support for the production of 68Ge using medium-high energy cyclotrons.