Radiation-chemical reaction of 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride in liquid and solid state

In pulse radiolysis of 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) at around 360 nm fast formation of intermediate tetrazolium radical was observed under both oxidizing and reducing conditions. In the latter case bimolecular formation of formazan, absorbing at around 480 nm, was observed. This reaction is accompanied by combination to the diformazan dimer, absorbing over the spectral range 500-550 nm. A polyvinyl-alcohol-based TTC film was produced and tested for dosimetry purposes: it gave a measurable response in the 1-100 kGy dose range by evaluating the 50 mu m thick TTC films at the absorption maximum of 493 nm.