Low dose ionizing radiation detection using conjugated polymers

Abstract

In this work, the effect of gamma radiation on the optical properties of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) is studied. The samples were irradiated at room temperature with different doses from 0Gyto152Gy using a Co60 gamma ray source. For thin films, significant changes in the UV-visible spectra were only observed at high doses (>1kGy). In solution, shifts in absorption peaks are observed at low doses (<10Gy), linearly dependent on dose. The shifts are explained by conjugation reduction, and possible causes are discussed. Our results indicate that MEH-PPV solution can be used as a dosimeter adequate for medical applications.