Experimental evaluation of electrospun ZnO/WO3/PVA-coated glass nanocomposites for a potential radiation dosimetry application

Abstract

This research aimed to fabricate a potential radiation dosimeter using electrospun ZnO/WO3/PVA-coated glass nanocomposites. Samples with varying ZnO molarities (2.46, 3.69, 4.91, 5, and 7 M) and 5 wt% of WO3 collected at different times were examined. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) revealed favorable nanofiber morphology, although certain conditions produced larger nanofibers. The optical properties, analyzed via ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, exhibited varying responses in different samples with changes in nanofiber collection time. The calculated optical energy band gap (Eg) for all samples is lower than Eg of pure ZnO. Moreover, the effective atomic number (Zeff), calculated based on EDX results, did not approach Zeff of human tissues, in all samples in general. Crucially, all samples demonstrated a strong linear response and low energy dependence when subjected to different X-ray exposure settings, closely resembling an Al2O3-based OSL dosimeter. Sample E3, consisting of 7.00 M ZnO and 5 wt% of WO3 collected over 4 h, emerged as the most promising candidate for a radiation dosimeter. Prior studies neglected to examine the influence of different amounts of ZnO on the radiation dosimetry properties of ZnO/WO3/PVA nanofibers. In contrast, this study specifically investigated the radiation dosimetry properties of ZnO/WO3/PVA nanofibers. The exceptional properties of ZnO in response to X-rays, combined with the desired X-ray attenuation capabilities of WO3, make them a distinct option as substitute materials in radiation dosimeters. This research paves the way for an alternative dosimeter solution with robust radiation detection capabilities.