Development of a reusable PVA-GTA-I gel dosimeter for 3D radiation dose assessments

Abstract

A novel formula of crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with glutaraldehyde (GTA), a tri-iodide complex, and glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) acid for gel dosimetry was investigated in the present study. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the formula’s dose response properties through spectrophotometry and possible reusability by reannealing. After production, the gel samples were irradiated from 1 to 70 Gy of gamma-rays from a Cs-137 source with a constant dose rate of 0.857 Gy/min. Spectrum data were obtained using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer and analyses were done for dose linearity, dose sensitivity versus GTA concentration, and absorbance profile versus time. The resulting unirradiated gel samples were colorless and transparent, while the irradiated samples turned to a reddish-brown hue with a peak absorbance response at 490 nm. Dose linearity results indicated R2 values of 0.9, 0.986 and 0.8 for GTA concentrations of 7 mM, 15 mM and 30 mM, respectively. Moreover, dose sensitivity is higher for lower concentrations of GTA. Time progression results indicated that the absorbance decreases within one day after irradiation and increases subsequently. Through reannealing for 24 hours at 45°C in an oven, a colorless material with an absorbance value identical to the unirradiated samples was finally made for samples irradiated from 1 to 20 Gy, while the 70 Gy irradiated sample had a significant decrease in color and absorbance peak. This radiochromic gel dosimeter is promising and should be useful for 3D radiation dose assessments. Further investigation of the formula and preparation techniques are suggested for future experiments.