Study of the Optimal Composition and Storage Conditions of the Fricke-XO-Pluronic F-127 Radiochromic Dosimeter.

This paper presents the results of research on the Fricke-XO-Pluronic F-127 dosimeter. It consists of a Fricke dosimetric solution and xylenol orange (XO), which are embedded in a matrix of poly(ethylene oxide)- block -poly(propylene oxide)- block -poly(ethylene oxide) (Pluronic F-127). Upon irradiation, Fe +2 ions transform into Fe +3 , forming a colored complex with XO ([XO-Fe] +3 ). The color intensity is related to the dose absorbed. The optimal composition, storage conditions, and radiation-induced performance of the Fricke-XO-Pluronic F-127 dosimeter were investigated. The optimal composition was found to be 1 mM FAS, 50 mM sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), 0.165 mM XO in 25% Pluronic F-127. The basic features of this dosimeter are discussed, such as dose sensitivity, linear and dynamic dose range, stability before and after irradiation, storage conditions, dose response for irradiation with 6 and 15 MV photons, and batch-to-batch reproducibility. The obtained results showed a certain potential of the Fricke-XO-Pluronic F-127 for radiotherapy dosimetry.