Characterization of the chemical and structural modifications induced by X rays on the HEMA based polymer gel

Alkan T., Seki Y., Yurt A.

JOURNAL OF INSTRUMENTATION, vol.19, no.P05055, pp.1-10, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 19 Issue: P05055
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1088/1748-0221/19/05/p05055
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF INSTRUMENTATION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Index Islamicus, INSPEC
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-10
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The use of polymer gels in the radiation dosimetry field is rapidly increasing due to the

possibility of 3 dimensional (3D) dosimetry. The aim of this study is to produce a new polymer gel with

high dose sensitivity. This involved the production of polymer gel compositions containing different

percentages of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomer and Di(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate

(DEGDMA) and 1-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone (VP) crosslinkers and these gelswere irradiated with radiation

dose between 0.5 Gy to 11 Gy, using 6 MV X-ray energy of the medical linear accelerator. The degree

of polymerization was assessed by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on the R2-dose

response. Then, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and Scanning Electron

Microscope (SEM) images of the gels were taken. Polymer gels consisting of DEGDMA as crosslinker

and Tetrakis (Hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) as antioxidant were found to have a

potential for use in radiation therapy dosimeter. The concentration of HEMA showing the most effective

dose response was identified as 12 wt%. It was found that HEMA polymer gels containing DEGDMA

crosslinker provide a better dose response than HEMA and HEMA-VP normoxic polymer gels.