Preparation and characterization of novel Sulfosalicylic acid-Ferrous-PVA hydrogel as a 3D dosimeter

Abstract

A colorless transparent hydrogel SSA-Ferrous-PVA was prepared as a 3D dosimeter using 5-sulfosalicylic acid. Under serial doses of irradiation by a 60Co source, dosimeter turned into pink with serial color densities. The resulting color densities were characterized by a UV–vis spectrophotometer at the fixed wavelength of 505 nm. Various concentrations of 5-sulfosalicylic acid and ferrous ammonium sulfate were tested by linear relevant fitting for optimal hydrogel production conditions. The effects of various formulations were evaluated on the stability and sensitivity of dosimeters. The slopes of diffusion curves were measured and used to evaluate the diffusion rates of irradiated dosimeters. Results indicated that a careful doping with 5-sulfosalicylic acid produced a hydrogel with a colorless transparent background and an optimal dosimeter with a low diffusion rate, good stability, and great linearity of dose response.