Investigation of silver nanoparticles embedded in extracted gelatins from camel, bovine, and fish bones for possible use in radiation dosimetry

Abstract

Gelatins from camel, bovine, and fish bones were successfully extracted by using chemical pretreatment and heating methods. The bones were demineralized for 3 days at ambient temperature using hydrochloric acid solutions (0.5–1 M), and the collagen was partially hydrolyzed by preheating in distilled water at 75–80°C for 3 h, followed by extraction temperature at 90°C for 1 h. Free-standing films of gelatin entrained with silver nanoparticles (Gel/AgNPs) at low concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mM) were synthesized as radiation dosimeters. A high-energy ultrasonic homogenizer was used to dissolve the gelatin in distilled water and to disperse the AgNPs in the gelatin. The nanocomposites’ morphology and crystallinity were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical absorption, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. Dose enhancement was assessed using X-ray irradiations with beam energies below and above silver K-edge. The beam was configured by setting the X-ray generator at 15, 25.5, and 35 kV potential and a beam current of 1 mA. An X-ray detector is used to detect the number of electrons after passing through Gel/AgNPs samples. The use of AgNPs embedded in gelatin caused the enhancement of X-ray radiation absorption, and the highest percentage of linearity for the dosimeter was found to be 90% in the optical range of 395 nm to 425 nm. The preliminary results demonstrated that Gel/AgNPs material may be used in radiation dosimetry for low-energy radiotherapy sources.