EPR study of free radicals in cotton fiber for its potential use as a fortuitous dosimeter in radiological accidents

Abstract

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was applied to characterize radiation-induced free radicals in the cotton fiber in order to determine the possibility for using cotton as a fortuitous dosimeter in accidental exposures to radiation. Cotton fabrics were irradiated at 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 10, 50 and 500 Gy using a 137Cs gamma source. The irradiated samples were then stored in the dark under controlled environmental conditions for 1, 15, 35 and 60 days. The EPR spectra were observed in samples using a Bruker EMX X-band spectrometer equipped with a TE102 rectangular cavity. The EPR signal intensities of irradiated samples were determined from peak-to-peak amplitudes of EPR spectra and compared to those of unirradiated samples. The following optimum parameters were used: 100 kHz modulation frequency, 9.84 GHz microwave frequency, 1.8 mT modulation amplitude, 1.0 mW microwave power, 655 ms time constant, 41 ms conversion time and 41.98 s sweep time. The EPR spectra of unirradiated samples showed a singlet line with g = 2.006 due to pre-existing stable organic radicals in the cotton fibers, whereas those of irradiated samples showed the same pattern with different signal intensities according to the doses. Irradiation increased the signal intensity in a dose dependent manner. The signal intensity exhibited an exponential decay with storage time from 1 to 60 days. Obviously, the degree of fading of EPR intensity did not depend on the absorbed dose from 0.1 - 50 Gy. The maximum fading was about 60% at 60 days of storage for irradiated samples at all doses. However, this post-irradiation signal appeared to be detectable for up to 60 days. The EPR study results indicated the potential of using cotton as a fortuitous dosimeter in radiological accidents.