Investigation of dose sensitivity and dose enhancement effect in silver nanoparticle enriched dose gels

In this study, dose sensitivity enhancing effect of silver (Ag) nanoparticles on dosimetric gels has been investigated. Nanoparticles were added to nMAG and NIPAM dose gel formulations. Ag nanoparticles were obtained via a simple wet chemical synthesis method from AgNO3. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Nanoparticle-enriched dose gels were irradiated with 120 keV photons and investigated using Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. Addition of Ag nanoparticles allowed to achieve higher sensitivity for both NIPAM and nMAG dose gels. Dose enhancement factor of 1.43 was achieved for nMAG dose gel, and 2.4 for NIPAM dose gel. FTIR spectroscopy also showed signs of radiation-enhancing effect of Ag nanoparticles. Improved gel dosimeters could be used as a valuable tool for dose verification procedures. However, due to variation of dose enhancement effect in different gel dosimeters, application of nano particle enriched dose gels for simulation of dose enhancement effect in the human tissue is not straightforward.

Automated summary

This study investigates the dose sensitivity enhancing effect of silver nanoparticles on dosimetric gels. The nanoparticles are added to nMAG and NIPAM dose gel formulations, and their synthesis and characterization are conducted. The results show that Ag nanoparticles allow for higher sensitivity in both NIPAM and nMAG dose gels, and further analysis indicates signs of radiation-enhancing effect. Improved gel dosimeters could be valuable for dose verification procedures, although the application of nanoparticle-enriched dose gels for simulating dose enhancement effect in human tissue is not straightforward due to variations in different gel dosimeters.