Thermoluminescence behavior of gamma irradiated Y2O3:Sm3+ nanophosphor

Abstract

Abstract Thermoluminescence (TL) properties of 60Co gamma irradiated Sm3+ doped Y2O3 nanophosphors were investigated for possible application for high dose gamma radiation dosimetry. Sm3+ doped Y2O3 nanophosphors were synthesized by the solution combustion method. The crystalline phase was analyzed with X-ray diffraction and an average crystallite size was found to be ~20–33\xa0nm. TL glow curves of gamma irradiated Sm3+ doped Y2O3 nanophosphors were recorded. The TL glow curves showed a prominent glow peak at ~400\xa0K, a smaller intensity peak at 510\xa0K and a very weak intensity glow peak at ~640\xa0K. These glow peaks were ascribed to host defects and Sm3+ characteristic emission. The effect of Sm3+ concentration on the TL was explored and the optimum Sm3+ concentration was found to be 0.1\xa0mol%. The number of overlapping TL glow peaks were identified from the broad TL glow curve by the thermal cleaning method. The kinetic parameters were obtained by the glow curve deconvolutions method using the general order kinetics expression. The variation of the TL intensity with dose, the effect of heating rates, repeatability and the fading effects of gamma irradiated Sm3+ doped Y2O3 nanophosphors were also studied. TL emission showed a strong green (545\xa0nm) emission at ~400\xa0K and a characteristic Sm3+ emission was observed at a high dopant concentration. The results obtained were favorable for the application of high dose gamma radiation dosimetry.