Production of 52Mn using a semi-automated module

This work focused on the production and purification of the positron emitter 52Mn (t1/2 = 5.6 d) via the natCr(p,n)52Mn reaction, using a TR24 cyclotron and a semi-automated system for the purification of 52Mn. Based on two-column and three-column systems, the recovery of 52Mn was 79.7 ± 6.2% (n = 3) and 70.8 ± 3.3% (n = 3), with processing times of 6.9 ± 0.5 h and 8.2 ± 0.6 h, respectively. •52Mn was produced via irradiation of Cr foils using a solid-target coin system.•A semi-automated module was designed, constructed and optimized for the purification of 52Mn.•ICP-MS was used for elemental analysis of the starting material, after each column and waste for purifications of 52Mn.•HPGe was utilized for the irradiated samples to verify a high purity product with 54Mn contaminants