Preliminary study of linearity response of γ-irradiated graphene oxide as a novel dosimeter using the Raman spectroscopy

In this experimental study, graphene oxide (GO) nanopowder was prepared and irradiated by the 60 Co γ-rays in different absorbed doses of 0, 10, 30, 50, 80, 100, 120 and 150 kGy at dose rate of 1.62 Gy s −1 at room temperature. Field emission scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses were used to investigate structural defects in GO material. Then, using Raman spectroscopy, the ratio of I D / I G related to D- and G-bands in the wavenumbers of 1350 and 1586 cm −1 was, respectively, measured in terms of absorbed dose to determine the dose–response of GO material. The results showed that the dose–response of γ-irradiated samples at the dose range of 0–50 kGy was linear. There was a decline in dose–response after 100 kGy due to graphitization of carbon nanostructure material or annealing the defects in the sample. The results of this study showed that the linearity response of γ-irradiated GO as a novel passive dosimeter is suitable for the dosimetry of γ-rays at the radiation processing level.