Gamma-radiation induced synthesis of silver nanoparticles in gelatin and its application for radiotherapy dose measurements

•A new radiochromic gel dosimeter based on silver nitrate is developed.•The gel is suitable for γ-radiation treatment in the 3–100 Gy range.•The temperature coefficient of the gel is ~0.339% per °C.•Overall uncertainty of dose estimation is below 5% (2σ) in the 5–100 Gy range.

A new gel dosimeter based on a radiation-sensitive silver nitrate was formulated and investigated for its potential use in γ-radiation treatment, from 3 to 100 Gy. This gel matrix is analyzed by UV–vis spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Subjecting the gel to γ-rays produces Ag nanoparticles that exhibit a plasmon resonance absorption band at 450 nm. The intensity of this band increases linearly with the increase of absorbed dose up to 100 Gy. Stability of Ag nanoparticle in the dark at 6 °C is good. The overall uncertainty (2σ) of the gel dosimeter is estimated as ~4.65% in the dose range of 5–100 Gy.