Zinc oxide nanoparticle in lithium triborate microparticle system: Visibility for application in dosimetry

Abstract

This study reports on the synthesis and characterization of micro-sized lithium triborate doped with Zinc oxide nanoparticle via solid state sintering method for possible application in radiation dosimetry. A stoichiometric amount of the mechanically processed precursors were mixed in water acting as a dissolvent and sintered at a temperature of 800 °C for one hour and allowed to cool to room temperature. The synthesized undoped lithium triborate and the 0.5 mol% of ZnO nanoparticles doped lithium triborate were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) reader. X-ray diffraction pattern shows a Lithium triborate phase structure with high crystallinity. Scanning electron microscope presented an interesting morphology of the system with clear display of the distribution of the nanoparticles on the microparticle surfaces. Differential thermal analysis data shows early endothermic peak within 100 °C and 200 °C which is assigned to the dehydration of the hygroscopic water in the system, endothermic peaks also exists within 813 °C and 836 °C which are ascribed to the incongruent melting of lithium triborate. The thermoluminescent glow curves of the chips exposed to a low dose of 10 mGy and high dose of 10 Gy exhibited an interesting response to ionizing radiation. A readout time delay of 5 min, 30 min, 1 h and 24 h gave a glimpse of the fading/curing properties of the new material.