Gamma ray dosimeter using Ag-Tragacanth gel

Abstract

Abstract Silver nanoparticles can be synthesized through gamma ray irradiation and provide a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect in the visible light so that it can be used as a dosimeter with the colorimetric principle. This article reports experimental results of radiosynthesis of silver nanoparticles in the medium of Tragacanth gum irradiated with gamma rays. The source of gamma rays is Cobalt-60 with varying doses between 1 - 40 kGy. The gel of AgNO3-Tragacanth which was originally clear starts to turn yellow at an irradiation dose of 10 kGy and becomes darker yellow with increasing radiation dose. The absorbance spectrum of the gel was characterized by using UV-visible instruments and give a maximum absorbance value at a wavelength of 403 nm which is a characteristic of LSPR of the silver nanoparticles. This maximum absorbance value increases with increasing radiation dose. These results indicate that the Ag-Tragacanth gel can be used as a gamma ray dosimeter.