The influence of different synthesis routes on thermoluminescence of CaSO4: Dy, P, Ce phosphor

CaSO4: Dy, P is known for its dosimetric characteristics for a very long time now. In this work we have carried out a comparative study on TL intensity of CaSO4: Dy, P, Ce phosphors using two different wet chemical synthesis routes. Nobody seems to have reported this kind of study on CaSO4: Dy, P, Ce 3+ phosphors and as a result it may be regarded as something new. Phosphors were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence and thermoluminescence techniques. The two methods were found to drastically affect the TL intensity of CaSO4: Dy, P, Ce phosphors. The TL intensity of CaSO4: Dy, P, Ce prepared by co-precipitation method is less by a factor of 204 than the CaSO4: Dy, P, Ce phosphor prepared via acid evaporation method. Moreover, co-doping of P and Ce ions into CaSO4:Dy was observed to enhance the thermoluminescence intensity by a factor of 1.11 than the standard phosphor in case of phosphor prepared via acid evaporation method. Surface morphology resulted through two different synthesis routes was also studied. Structures like broad metal slabs were observed for CaSO4: Dy, P, Ce phosphors using acid evaporation method. We hope that this study may prove very helpful in selecting a preparation method for CaSO4: Dy, RE phosphors especially when better TL properties and good crystal grain size are desired. We also think that acid evaporation method is always a better choice to prepare CaSO4: Dy, RE phosphors than co-precipitation method. Copyright © 2013 VBRI press.