Synthesis and thermoluminescence characterization of combustion derived ZrO2:Ti exposed to beta radiation

Titanium-stabilized Zirconia (ZrO2:Ti) nanoparticles were synthesized by the solution combustion synthesis method. This functional method is used for production of luminescent materials. Ti concentration was between 0.1 to 2 mol %. Nano crystalline tablets of 5 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness were prepared from synthesized powder. The effects of Ti concentration and annealing temperature on the structural properties of the produced sample were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We reported the thermoluminescent (TL) properties of the ZrO2 doped with Ti exposed to beta radiation from 90Sr. The characterization results showed an appreciable influence of the Ti-dopant on zirconia crystalline phases and the particle sizes. Although the obtained samples contained tetragonal and monoclinic phases, the phase structure of the material changes to monoclinic with heat treatment. Results of FTIR analysis showed that Ti was completely placed in base materialchr('39')s structure. TL glow curves of samples showed that intensities were affected by different amounts of Ti and heat treatment. It was concluded that ZrO2:Ti with 1 mol % and the annealed samples at 1100 ℃ had the highest peak intensity and the best thermoluminescence response. In addition, this sample showed a linear response for beta doses in the range of 0.1 to 1000 Gy. Three peaks were observed in glow curves at 114, 175 and 222 ℃ and the main peak, is at 175 ℃.