Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by gold nanoparticles leading to increase of OH radical yields: A radiosensitization potential for hadron therapy

Abstract

We discuss the increase of OH radicals due to the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) under protons and heavy ion irradiations of aqueous solutions. Hydrogen peroxide formed by water radiolysis is decomposed by GNPs. Due to the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, yields of OH radicals increase. The conversion efficiency to OH radicals due to hydrogen peroxide decomposition for protons and heavy ions is measured to be lower than the previously obtained one under X-rays. As the observed increase in OH radicals reinforce the contribution of the indirect action of radiation, this leads to an improvement in biological efficacy, so that GNPs would become applicable to hadron therapy.