Synthesis and thermoluminescence properties of Ce3+-doped CaAl2O4 nanoparticles for dosimetry applications

This preliminary study investigates the synthesis and thermoluminescent properties of undoped and cerium (Ce³⁺)-doped CaAl₂O₄ nanoparticles synthesized via solution combustion. Characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetric (DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), were employed to analyze the samples. The effects of ionizing radiation (beta particles and X-rays) were evaluated using thermoluminescence (TL) and radioluminescence (RL) techniques. The Ce³⁺-doped sample exhibited promising features such as high repeatability and reproducibility, a linear dose-response in range of 0.1 up to 3.0 Gy, and a low TL signal fading. By applying the T_m-T_stop and variable heating methods to analyze the glow curve, it was observed that high temperature peaks obey second-order kinetics with a frequency factor of 10¹¹ s⁻¹. These preliminary characteristics underscore its potential suitability for dosimetry applications.