Excitation functions of proton-induced nuclear reactions on natCaCO3 up to 60 MeV

47Sc could be used in SPECT imaging and is also suitable for targeted therapy of small tumours. Application of 47Sc is quite promising as theranostic with its diagnostic pair 44Sc or 43Sc. Excitation functions for the production of 47Sc and its accompanying impurities through proton bombardment of natural calcium carbonate (natCaCO3) targets were experimentally evaluated and compared with both previous measurements and TALYS predictions. The integral production yields of 47Sc, as well as the main impurities 44m,46,48Sc, were calculated. The consistency of the results with available experimental data was verified for each reaction. The target yield was determined using the measured activity of the produced radionuclides. •Proton induced reaction on natCaCO3 using stack foil activation method.•Long-lived radioactive impurities in natCaCO3(p,x) reactions upto 60 MeV.•Stack foil activation method.•Comparison of experimental results with the available data base and TALYS.