Performance Improvement of the Acrylic Acid–Polyvinyl Alcohol Gel Dosimeter with an Organic Additive for Radiation Oncology Applications

This study reports the first preparation and characterization of an acrylic acid-glucose-polyvinyl alcohol (ACAGLPVA) polymer gel dosimeter incorporating glucose as an organic additive for radiation oncology applications. Five formulations with glucose concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 25, and 30 wt% were irradiated using a 6-MV photon beam at doses of 0-60 Gy, and the transverse relaxation rate (R₂) was measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry. The optimal formulation (25 wt% glucose) demonstrated an excellent linear dose response between 0 and 30 Gy (R² = 0.9979) with a sensitivity of 0.177 s^-1 Gy^-1, followed by a non-linear response at 30-60 Gy. The dosimeter exhibited dose rate independence (200-600 cGy/min), energy independence (6-15 MV), temperature independence (5-35 °C), and post-irradiation stability for at least 7 days. These characteristics demonstrate the potential of ACAGLPVA gel dosimeters for accurate three-dimensional dose verification in modern radiotherapy applications.