Structural and defect changes in black carbon charcoal irradiated with gamma ray

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) Vol. 200; p. 110331
• Main Authors: Almugren, K.S., Abdul Sani, S.F., Sulong, Irzwan Affendy, Mat Nawi, S.N., Siti Shafiqah, A.S., Bradley, D.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2022
• Subjects: Charcoal; Gamma irradiation; Photoluminescence spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy; X-ray diffraction; X-ray diffraction; Gamma irradiation; Raman spectroscopy; Photoluminescence spectroscopy; Charcoal
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110331

This study investigates the use of black carbon charcoal as passive radiation dosimetry, offering low dependence on photon energy and near soft tissue effective atomic number with state-of-the-art techniques. Regression analyses have now been conducted using graphite manufactured commercially in the form of charcoal from three different types: mangrove, coconut, and green charcoal recycled from sawdust, working with photon-mediated interactions at radiotherapy dose levels. Explorations of changes in Raman spectroscopic characteristics, and photoluminescence dose dependence have been performed with a focus on the relationship between absorbed radiation energy and induced material changes, using a 60Co gamma-ray source doses ranging from 0 to 10 Gy. Raman spectroscopy has established to be an effective method for exploring defects in carbon-based materials due to its high sensitivity, most commonly focusing on the use of ID/IG parameter. While photoluminescence analysis will provide information on electronic properties and the band gap energy. The crystal structure of the black charcoal samples was characterised using X-ray diffractometry, with the goal of determining the degree of structural order, atomic spacing, and lattice constants of the various irradiated charcoal samples, supported by crystallite size assessments. The findings of this study could pave the way for a low-cost yet highly effective system for studying radiation-induced changes in carbon, as well as offering a viable alternative to current commercial dosimeters, well suited to applications in radiotherapy. •Radiation induced defect in charcoal exposed to 60Co gamma irradiation.•Raman D peak of three charcoals is ranging from 1344 to 1352 cm−1, while G peak is ranging from 1581 to 1585 cm−1.•The band gap energy for charcoal is found to be 1.111 ± 0.091 eV.•XRD spectra shows asymmetric shape of the (002) peaks.•Charcoal have Zeff values ranging from 6.65 to 6.74