Theoretical assessment and targeted modeling of TiO2 in reactor towards the scandium radioisotopes estimation

47Sc radioisotope with beta particle emission can be used for targeted radionuclide therapy in nuclear medicine and can be produced by nuclear reactor (with high activities) and accelerator. In this work, the specific activity of 47Sc with the isotopic impurities produced through irradiating the enriched 47Tio2 and natural TiO2 targets have been calculated by the MCNPX-2.6 and the TALYS-1.8 codes and also theoretical approach in a fast neutron flux 3×1013ncm−2s−1 in the reactor. In addition, the cross sections of 46Ti(n,p)46Sc reaction have been interpolated in the 1–10MeV energy range and compared with the corresponding experimental data, as well. Moreover, the average cross sections of 46Ti(n,p)46Sc, 47Ti(n,p)47Sc and 48Ti(n,p)48Sc reactions were reproduced. Acceptable agreement between the experimental data and calculated results confirms the ability of the used methods to design and predict the production process in reactor. •47Sc specific activity has been calculated by the MCNPX-2.6 and the TALYS-1.8 codes.•The excitation functions were calculated for 46Ti(n,p)46Sc, 47Ti(n,p)47Sc and 48Ti(n,p)48Sc nuclear reactions.•Enriched 47TiO2 and natural TiO2 were considered as the targets.