Beta radiation-induced thermoluminescence in pure and rare earth doped ZrO2 prepared by pechini-type sol-gel

Abstract

Thermoluminescence properties of ZrO2, ZrO2:Gd3+, ZrO2:Gd3+–Dy3+, ZrO2:Gd3+–Yb3+, ZrO2:Gd3+–Er3+ and ZrO2:Gd3+–Sm3+ phosphors synthesized by Pechini method were investigated. XRD measurement suggested that all the samples are monoclinic and tetragonal multiphase. Crystallite size measured using SEM is around 200 nm–250 nm. The Tmax–TSTOP, variable dose and glow curve fitting methods were applied to the phosphors and reusability, dose responses and fading characteristics were examined. The phosphors exhibit a natural TL emission which disappeared after heat treatment. The glow curves of the pure ZrO2 have thirteen individual glow peaks, which include the peaks reported for the monoclinic and tetragonal phases. Although some peaks emerge at low irradiation doses, others can only be observed at high doses. Moreover, although the dopes blanched some of the peaks of pure ZrO2, they made others more intense. These peaks can be interpreted as if they emerged caused by the rare earth doping into the matrix material. On the other hand, Gd3+, Dy3+, Yb3+, Er3+ and Sm3+ dopes did not alter the peak temperatures of the matrix material. As a result, the individual peak intensities are very sensitive to the dopes. Fundamental trapping parameters of the trap levels were calculated, and the results are in good agreement with the given values of activation energies in the literature. Fading experiments show the materials have both normal and abnormal fading characteristics in long and short-term storage.