Alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid-assisted solid-liquid chromatography for the separation of lutetium-177 from neutron-irradiated natural ytterbium

Abstract The production method of no-carrier added Lutetium-177 ( 177 Lu) was developed from a neutron-activated natural ytterbium (Yb) using column chromatography separation method. Dowex W50 X8 resin and a combination of alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid (α-HIBA) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) were used as column filler and eluent, respectively. HCl increased the desorption and separation between 177 Lu and Yb at a concentration of 0.25 M, while the optimal α-HIBA concentration was 0.15 M, resulting in 177 Lu yield of 81.19 % and low impurities ( 175 Yb: 9.28 %, and 169 Yb: 2.09 %). Nevertheless, further study using an enriched 176 Yb target is essential to significantly increase the specific activity of 177 Lu.