Challenges associated with electroplated thin and thick Ba/Ra target preparation

This study focuses on evaluation of thin and thick ^natBa/²²³Ra targets fabrication using electroplating method for scaling-up the production of medically relevant ²²⁵Ac originating from ²²⁶Ra. A comparison between thin and thick electroplated targets was performed with the main focus on deposited mass, surface homogeneity, thickness and structural integrity. The limiting factors such as solubility or target thickness appeared and were addressed in order to maximize the deposited mass. The challenges and requirements related to the purity of stock solutions were addressed. Impact of impurities such as Ca and Al was investigated and solution in form of radiochemical purification was provided. The maximum mass of ^natBa/²²³Ra deposited onto the Al target support from pure stock solution was 2.0(1) mg. Based on the published production data from ²²⁶Ra and recommended patient dose of ²²⁵Ac, this amount would not be sufficient for scaling-up industrial production and other target production methods should be applied. Nonetheless, this method is suitable for excitation function measurements and other areas of research with the need for thin homogeneous Ba/Ra targets.