Zinc isotopes (Zn)
Zinc isotopes are used in medical, industrial and research applications. Stable zinc isotopes can be enriched or depleted by Urenco Stable Isotopes to any concentration, and supplied in various chemical forms.
Naturally occurring zinc has five stable isotopes.
| Isotope | Maximum available enrichment (atomic %) | Natural abundance (atomic %) |
|---|---|---|
| ⁶⁴Zn | >99, <1 | 48.60 |
| ⁶⁶Zn | >99, <1 | 27.90 |
| ⁶⁷Zn | >99, <1 | 4.10 |
| ⁶⁸Zn | >99, <1 | 18.80 |
| ⁷⁰Zn | >99, <1 | 0.60 |
Application of Zinc isotopes
Depleted Zinc 64 (Zn 64)
Zinc depleted in the isotope Zn-64 is presently being used as an additive in the cooling water systems of nuclear reactors. The addition of Zinc greatly reduces corrosion processes, including stress corrosion cracking. Furthermore, the added Zinc reduces the amount of radioactive Co-60 formed as a consequence of the activation of natural Cobalt in the construction materials of the reactor.
The depleted Zinc can be converted to various chemical forms, including Depleted Zinc Oxide powder (DZO powder), Depleted Zinc Oxide Pellets (DZO Pellets) and Depleted Zinc Acetate Dihydrate (DZA). DZO Pellets are typically used in boiling water reactors (BWR’s). DZA is typically used in pressurized water reactors (PWR’s).
Zinc 66 (Zn 66)
Zn-66 can be used for the production of the PET isotope Ga-66.
Zinc 67 (Zn 67)
Zn-67 is used in research fields such as nutritional studies and in biological research into the uptake of Zinc in the human body. It can also be used for the production of the radioisotopes Ga-67 and Cu-67.
Zinc 68 (Zn 68)
Zn-68 is used as a precursor or for the important radiopharmaceutical isotope Ga-67. Ga-67 is used for imaging of abdominal infections, soft tissue infections, detection of Hodgkins, osteomyelitis and granulomatous diseases. Zn-68 can also be used for the production of Cu-67.
Zinc 70 (Zn 70)
Zn-70 is used in biological research and in research into super-heavy elements. It has for instance been used in the discovery of element 112: Copernicium.
