Radiation-Induced Free Radicals in Sodium Alginate for Possible Use as a Radiation Dosimeter

Abstract

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has been used to investigate the dosimetric properties of γ-radiation-induced free radicals in sodium alginate (SA) rods prepared by mixing this material with ethylene vinyl acetate and paraffin wax as a binder for the preparation of a composite EPR dosimeter. The EPR signal intensity of SA rods significantly increased upon gamma irradiation, showing a strong dependence on the absorbed dose. The prepared rods exhibit a linear response region between 1 and 10 kGy, ideal for precise dosimetry, with a maximum functional dose range extending up to 20 kGy under the current experimental conditions. The properties of the EPR dosimeters were investigated under various parameters, such as microwave power, modulation amplitude, and stability. The total uncertainty for these rods was 5.64%. These results confirm the SA-rods’ potential for food irradiation and medical sterilization applications.