Advantages of the multinucleon transfer reactions based on 238U target for producing neutron-rich isotopes around N = 126

Abstract The mechanism of multinucleon transfer (MNT) reactions for producing neutron-rich heavy nuclei around N = 126 is investigated within two different theoretical frameworks: dinuclear system (DNS) model and isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics (IQMD) model. The effects of mass asymmetry relaxation, N / Z equilibration, and shell closures on production cross sections of neutron-rich heavy nuclei are investigated. For the first time, the advantages for producing neutron-rich heavy nuclei around N = 126 are found in MNT reactions based on 238 U target. We propose the MNT reactions with 238 U target for producing unknown neutron-rich heavy nuclei around N = 126 in the future.