Interaction of gamma radiation with PVA/PANi composite films: Structural and morphological studies

Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films containing two different concentrations of polyaniline were prepared by solution casting technique. These films were irradiated with gamma radiation for various doses. Structural and morphological studies of control PVA as well as PVA/ PANi composite films were carried out before and after the gamma radiation. Polyaniline is one of the interesting conducting polymers and has the property of changing its color and conductivity when switched between different oxidation states. This unique property of polyaniline was monitored by investigating UV/vis absorption spectra and changes in electrical conductivity. The changes observed could be correlated to the total dose received by the films. It is therefore proposed that PVA/PANi composite films can be used for fabricating radiation dosimeters.

Dosimetric evaluation of methyl red radiochromic film for radiation processing

“…Figure 1 demonstrates the absorption spectra of 0.5 mM of MR-PVA film at different doses in the range of 340–620 nm. Higher absorbed dose may induce more free radicals molecules and hydrated electrons which break the azo group of MR dye, leading to the diminishing chromophore (Bhat et al , 2007). The specific absorbance curves (change in absorption peak measured at 424 nm divided by thickness in mm) were used to represent the dose response of MR-PVA radiochromic as a function of absorbed dose as shown in Figure 2.…”

“…Radiation-induced bleaching and absorbed dose of methyl red (MR) in acidic aqueous solutions and alkaline was studied by Ajji (2006). Radiochromic film polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film containing MR dye (MR-PVA film) was studied up to 55 kGy (Bhat et al , 2007). The PVA is suitable matrix to use in gamma dose measurements; it is a tissue equivalent organic material (Woods and Pikaev, 1994 ; Rabaeh et al , 2012; Aldweri et al , 2017).…”