A new developed radiochromic film for high-dose dosimetry applications

• Preparation of PVB film dosimeter incorporating a radiochromic leuco brilliant blue dye for use in routine processing dosimetry.
• The dosimeter useful dose range is 1–165 kGy.
• The response is not markedly dependent on humidity during irradiation in the range of 0–60%.
• The response of unirradiated and irradiated film is good stable during storage period of 63 days.
• Overall uncertainty of the dosimeter 8.96% at 2σ.

A colorless polyvinyl butyral film (PVB) based on a radiochromic leuco brilliant blue cyanide dye (LBB), was investigated as a high-dose dosimeter for gamma radiation processing applications in the dose range of 3–165 kGy. The useful applications for such dose range are food irradiation treatment, medical devices sterilization, and polymer modification. Upon γ-ray exposure, the prepared film undergoes visual color change to deep blue color characterized with an absorption band peaking at 638 nm. The variation in response of irradiated film stored in the dark and under laboratory light illumination was less than 5% during the first week of storage. The effect of temperature and relative humidity on the performance of film during irradiation and the overall uncertainty associated with absorbed dose monitoring were investigated in the present study.