Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Dots as Ionizing Radiation Sensors in X-ray Dosimetry

Abstract

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.