Effect of synthesis conditions on the thermoluminescence of Li9Mg3[PO4]4F3 fluorophosphate

Abstract

The Li9Mg3[PO4]4F3 fluorophosphate, which is considered as a promising dosimetric material, was prepared by the conventional solid-phase and microwave-assisted methods. The dosimetric properties of the obtained materials were examined and compared. The results revealed that the microwave-assisted synthesis leads to a fourfold enhancement of the thermoluminescence. Analysis of structural data showed that prolonged contact with the atmosphere can cause the loss of fluorine, resulting in the deterioration of material properties. This effect is also evidenced by the increase in the ESR signal, which is associated with a larger number of antisite defects, for the fluorophosphate obtained by the microwave-assisted method. The additional synthesis of Li9Mg3[PO4]4F3 with an excess of LiF allowed us to suppress the fluorine losses, thereby leading to an additional manifold increase of the thermoluminescence.