Chemical properties
Tb-152 is a radiolanthanide, most often in trivalent state and chemically very similar to lutetium. The ionic radius of Tb3+ is 92 pm, i.e. just 7% larger than Lu3+, which explains that macrocyclic chelators suitable for Lu-177 can be directly employed for Tb-152 too, in particular DOTA, but also others .
Nuclear properties
Tb-152 decays mainly (20.3%) by high energy beta plus positron emission with a half-life of 17.5(1) hours. The mean beta plus energy: 1140 (130) keV.
Tb-152 emits gamma- and X-rays, notably a strong line of 63.5 % at 344.3 keV and about 52% at 43 (+/-1) keV). This makes Tb-152 a suitable isotope for PET imaging and possibly useful for 3-photon imaging.
Tb-152 emits few conversion and Auger electrons.
Production
Tb-152 is produced by high energy proton induced spallation of tantalum targets at the production facility MEDICIS at CERN. An off-line mass separation is performed at MEDICIS at CERN. The mass-separated ions are implanted into a solid matrix, e.g. a Zn or NaCl layer on a noble metal backing. The implanted layer can be dissolved and used for an additional radiochemical separation to obtain optimum radionuclidic purity by removing the pseudo-isobar Ce-136 that is mass-separated as oxide ion on mass 152.
Distribution
Tb-152 implanted into a solid matrix will be shipped from MEDICIS (CERN, Geneva, Switzerland).
Examples of use
Parameter | Specifications |
---|---|
Half-life | 17.5 h |
Daughter | Quasistable Gd-152 |
Branching Ratio/Decay | 20.3% β+, 79.7% EC |
Production | Ta(p,spallation) |
Purification | Off-line mass separation+ 2-step column separation |
Chemical Form | Implanted in solid layer |
Specific Activity | t.b.d. |
Radionuclidic Purity | t.b.d. |
Radiochemical Purity | n.a. |
Chemical Purity | n.a. |
Identification | Presence of 344.3 keV and 586.3 keV gamma lines and 511 keV annihilation gamma rays |
Appearance | n.a. |
pH | 1-2 |
Activity available | 50 MBq |
Availability | Few times per year (planning in advance) |
Grade | research grade, n.c.a. |
Other information | Implanted in Al, Zn or NaCl layer on Au foil |