The dosimetric properties of phosphate glass systems prepared by different chemical nanomaterials

The synthesis and characterization of glass systems were carried out using prepared nanocrystals injected into a glass matrix as a thermoluminescence (TL) activator using the melt-quenching method. Sample 1 was prepared as [40P₂ O₅ 50BaO:2.5MgO, 2.5Na₂ O, 5TiO₂ ], sample 2 as [37.5P₂ O₅ 37.5CaO:25TiO₂ ] and sample 3 as [50P₂ O₅ -50Li₂ O]. Formation of the synthesized compound was confirmed by studying the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. An annealing procedure was carried out for 1 h at 400 °C. The glow curve position and shape shifted dramatically and linearly to the higher temperature values on increasing the heating rate. A heating rate of 30 °C/s was the most suitable for obtaining a high TL response. Samples 2 and 3 have the highest TL response, which approached the effective atomic number (Z_eff ) of natural bone. The observed TL sensitivity of the prepared samples 2 and 3 is less than that of commercially available 'TLD-200 chips' and LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) phosphor. Sample [37.5P₂ O₅ 37.5CaO:25TiO₂ ] would be useful in personal and environmental dosimetry for measuring high doses of gamma radiation. Sample [50P₂ O₅ -50Li₂ O] is a good dosimeter, although it requires the addition of an appropriate transitional metal (activator) to overcome the problem of high fading. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.