Study on a novel dosimeter based on polyethylene-carbon nanotube composite

In this research work, the electric current of polyethylene-carbon nanotube composite, in the electrical percolation threshold region, over the absorbed dose under the applied bias voltage was investigated via the finite element method. The investigated geometry was formed by a two-dimensional cross-sectional view of randomly orientated nanotubes as ellipses. The variable range hopping model developed by Mott and thermally activated hopping model was used to calculate the electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes and polymer, respectively. Regarding the calorimetric approach, we considered the absorbed dose equal to heat capacity of polyethylene-carbon nanotube composite multiplied by temperature rise. Results showed that this kind of composite can be used for low dose rate applications for monitoring and radiation protection utilizations.