This work explores the synthesis and application of nitrogen-doped
carbon dots (N-CDs) obtained by a hydrothermal synthesis route using
melamine and citric acid. It also discusses some characterizations
and how carbon dots can be introduced into the Fricke solution to
potentially serve as an ionizing radiation sensor while maintaining
equivalent tissue dosimeter properties. The methodology for synthesis,
preparation, and irradiation of the Fricke-N-CD suspensions is described
and is simple and safe to execute. The results show that N-CDs have
high sensitivity to X-ray radiation, presenting three linear regions
with different sensitivity coefficients, −38.6 ± 2.7 Gy–1, −26.0 ± 0.9 Gy–1,
and −15.4 ± 0.8 Gy–1, respectively,
for the dose range of 0.0 to 100.0 Gy. The Fricke-N-CD suspension
has good storage stability under room temperature conditions and a
minimum detected dose of 0.25 Gy. Overall, this study provides valuable
information about promising applications of carbon dots in X-ray dosimetry
and the importance of further research in this area.