Potential Production of Theranostic Boron Nitride Nanotubes (64Cu-BNNTs) Radiolabeled by Neutron Capture

In this work, the radioisotope Cu-64 was obtained from copper (II) chloride dihydrate in a nuclear research reactor by neutron capture, (Cu-63(n,gamma)Cu-64), and incorporated into boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) using a solvothermal process. The produced Cu-64-BNNTs were analyzed by TEM, MEV, FTIR, XDR, XPS and gamma spectrometry, with which it was possible to observe the formation of(64)Cu nanoparticles, with sizes of up to 16 nm, distributed through nanotubes. The synthesized of Cu-64 nanostructures showed a pure photoemission peak of 511 keV, which is characteristic of gamma radiation. This type of emission is desirable for Photon Emission Tomography (PET scan) image acquisition, as well as its use in several cancer treatments. Thus, Cu-64-BNNTs present an excellent alternative as theranostic nanomaterials that can be used in diagnosis and therapy by different techniques used in nuclear medicine.

Automated summary

The work involved obtaining Cu-64 radioisotope from a nuclear research reactor and incorporating it into boron nitride nanotubes through a solvothermal process. Analysis using various techniques showed the formation of Cu-64 nanoparticles distributed within nanotubes. These Cu-64-BNNTs exhibited a pure photoemission peak characteristic of gamma radiation, making them ideal for PET scan image acquisition and cancer treatments, serving as excellent theranostic nanomaterials for diagnosis and therapy.