Enhancement in sensitivity of nitro blue tetrazolium polyvinyl alcohol film dosimeters by sodium formate and Triton X-100

Nitro blue tetrazolium polyvinyl alcohol film dosimeters, NBT-PVA were prepared and evaluated based on radiation-induced reduction of NBT2+. NBT-PVA film dosimeters containing different concentrations of NBT dye from 1 to 5 mM were prepared in a solution of ethanol. The dosimeters were irradiated with ϒ-ray from 60Co source at doses up to 50 kGy. UV/vis spectrophotometer was used to investigate the optical density of un-irradiated and irradiated films in terms of absorbance at 529 nm. The absorbance increases with absorbed dose up to 50 kGy for NBT-PVA film dosimeters. The dose sensitivity of NBT-PVA film increases strongly with increase of concentrations of NBT dye. The effects of irradiation temperature, humidity, dose rate and the stability of the response of the films after irradiation were investigated. A considerable increase was observed in the dose response of NBT-PVA film by adding appropriate concentration of sodium formate and Triton X-100.

► This manuscript relates to radio-chromic dosimeter for used in high dose radiation.
► Radiolytic reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) results in a water insoluble formazan.
► NBT-PVA film dosimeters containing different concentrations of NBT dye were introduced.
► The effects of irradiation temperature and humidity on performance of films were investigated.
► Dose response of NBT-PVA film was increased considerably by adding sodium formate and Triton X-100.