Compositional and Structural Modifications by Ion Beam in Graphene Oxide for Radiation Detection Studies

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 23; no. 20; p. 12563
• Main Authors: Cutroneo, Mariapompea, Torrisi, Lorenzo, Silipigni, Letteria, Michalcova, Alena, Havranek, Vladimir, Mackova, Anna, Malinsky, Petr, Lavrentiev, Vasily, Noga, Pavol, Dobrovodsky, Jozef, Slepicka, Petr, Fajstavr, Dominik, Andò, Lucio, Holy, Vaclav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-10-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: AFM; Atomic properties; Backscattering; Carbon; Carbon fibers; Chemical properties; CNT; dosimeter; Dosimetry; Elastic analysis; Energy; Equipment and supplies; Foils; Graphene; graphene quantum dots; Graphite; Helium; ion beam irradiation; Ion beams; Ions; Nanofibers; Oxygen ions; Quantum dots; Radiation; Radiation warning systems; Scanning electron microscopy; Structure; X-ray diffraction; Czech Republic
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012563

In the present study, graphene oxide foils 10 μm thick have been irradiated in vacuum using same charge state (one charge state) ions, such as protons, helium and oxygen ions, at the same energies (3 MeV) and fluences (from 5 × 1011 ion/cm2 to 5 × 1014 ion/cm2). The structural changes generated by the ion energy deposition and investigated by X-ray diffraction have suggested the generation of new phases, as reduced GO, GO quantum dots and graphitic nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, amorphous carbon and stacked-cup carbon nanofibers. Further analyses, based on Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry and Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis, have indicated a reduction of GO connected to the atomic number of implanted ions. The morphological changes in the ion irradiated GO foils have been monitored by Transmission Electron, Atomic Force and Scanning Electron microscopies. The present study aims to better structurally, compositionally and morphologically characterize the GO foils irradiated by different ions at the same conditions and at very low ion fluencies to validate the use of GO for radiation detection and propose it as a promising dosimeter. It has been observed that GO quantum dots are produced on the GO foil when it is irradiated by proton, helium and oxygen ions and their number increases with the atomic number of beam gaseous ion.