Spectral response of solvent-cast polyvinyl chloride (PVC) thin film used as a long-term UV dosimeter

The spectral response of solvent-cast polyvinyl chloride (PVC) thin film suitable for use as a long-term UV dosimeter has been determined by measuring the UV induced change in the 1064 cm−1 peak intensity of the PVC’s infrared (IR) spectra as a function of the wavelength of the incident radiation. Measurements using cut-off filters, narrow band-pass filters and monochromatic radiation showed that the 16 μm PVC film responds mainly to the UVB band. The maximum response was at 290 nm and decreasing exponentially with wavelength up to about 340 nm independent of temperature and exposure dose. The most suitable concentration (W/V%) of PVC/Tetrahydrofuran solution was found to be 10% and the best thickness for the dosimeter was determined as 16 μm.