Thermoluminescence kinetics in beta-irradiated novel ZnGa2O4:Eu3+ phosphor produced via gel combustion synthesis


Barad A., TOPAKSU M., Hakami J., Can N.

Ceramics International, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.01.046
  • Journal Name: Ceramics International
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Chemical Abstracts Core, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Dosimetry, Glow curve analysis, Thermoluminescence (TL), Trap levels, ZnGa2O4
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Eu3+ doped ZnGa2O4 phosphors with varying dopant concentrations were successfully synthesized using the combustion technique. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the consistency of both undoped and Eu3+ doped ZnGa2O4 samples with PDF#38–1240 card structure. The investigation of thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics involved studying TL glow curves in Eu3+ doped ZnGa2O4 samples with different dopant concentrations, employing various optical detection filter combinations. Among these, ZnGa2O4: 2%Eu3+ and the IRSL-TL wide blue band (wbb) proved to be the optimal sample and ideal detection filter pairing for identifying TL features. Following preheating experiments, the TL maximum was observed at around 190 °C, with a heating rate of 2 °Cs−1. The dose-response experiment for ZnGa2O4:2%Eu3+ exhibited satisfactory linearity, with a coefficient of b = 0.988 and an R2 value of 0.989 for doses up to 100 Gy. Moreover, for the dose range of 200–500 Gy, a sublinear relationship was maintained, with a coefficient of b = 0.31 and an R2 value of 0.988. Hoogenstraaten's method, along with the initial rise method and the Tm-Tstop experiment, was also employed in conjunction with a glow curve fitting package. This comprehensive approach facilitated the determination of the number of peaks, trap structure, and kinetic parameters within the thermoluminescence glow curve. Glow curve deconvolution using specialized software revealed the presence of five well-isolated and overlapping TL glow peaks, achieving a figure of merit (FOM) value of 1.39.