zinc65

Zinc-65 is a radioactive isotope of the element zinc (Zn), having an atomic number of 30 and a mass number of 65. It is not one of the natural, stable zinc isotopes and is produced artificially for scientific use.

In terms of nuclear properties, zinc-65 decays by electron capture to copper-65. It has a relatively long half-life of about 244 days, and the decay is accompanied by the emission of gamma radiation. This combination makes zinc-65 suitable for certain laboratory applications that require detectable gamma emissions over extended periods.

Natural abundance of zinc-65 is negligible, so it is generated in controlled facilities rather than found in significant quantities in nature. Production methods include neutron irradiation of stable zinc-64 in a nuclear reactor or irradiation of zinc targets in particle accelerators, followed by chemical separation to isolate the zinc-65.

Applications of zinc-65 include use as a radiotracer in biological and environmental research to study zinc uptake, transport, and metabolism. It is also employed as a calibration source for gamma spectroscopy and as a research tool in studies of zinc-related processes in plants and animals. Because of its long half-life and radiological properties, handling and storage are subject to appropriate safety regulations, with shielding, monitoring, and proper disposal of radioactive waste as required.

Overall, zinc-65 serves as a specialized tool in radiochemical and bioinorganic research, providing a means to trace zinc behavior in various systems under controlled conditions.