Tough nitrate-based radiation discoloration composite hydrogel dosimeter

In the clinical practice of radiotherapy, how to quickly, safely, accurately and economically monitor the irradiation dose or implement quality assurance measures before irradiation has always been a research hotspot in this research field. In this study, the reaction between nitrate ions and free radicals produced by water radiolysis was innovatively used as a dose-response mechanism. A radiation-grafted silica gel acrylic composite was selected as a matrix material to develop a tough radiation composite hydrogel dosimeter with high mechanical strength. The experimental results showed that the hydrogel dosimeter exhibited the best dose-response linear correlation under a sodium nitrate concentration of 0.5 mol/L and sodium formate concentration of 2.5×10-3 mol/L. In addition, the prepared hydrogel dosimeter not only exhibited excellent puncture resistance, non-brittleness, high pressure resistance, and adjustable mechanical properties, but also displayed impressive time stability in practical applications, indicating potential for commercialization.