Selective Synthesis and Thermoluminescence Response of One Dimension Nanostructures of Eu2+ doped TiO2 obtained by HYSYCVD

Titania (TiO2) has attracted interest owing its potential applications as semiconductor and dosimetry materials given its excellent properties. Optical, electrical, and thermal properties of TiO2 are closely linked to... [ view full abstract ]

Titania (TiO2) has attracted interest owing its potential applications as semiconductor and dosimetry materials given its excellent properties. Optical, electrical, and thermal properties of TiO2 are closely linked to microstructure, and at the same time, to processing condition and synthesis methods. TiO2 can be synthesized by sol-gel, solution growth, and chemical vapor deposition starting from gas or metalorganic compounds. An alternative synthesis method to produce undoped and doped TiO2 nanostructures, for dosimetry applications, is the hybrid precursor systems chemical vapor deposition (HYSYCVD) technique, starting from solid precursors with low decomposition temperature. In this work, a systematic study to know the magnitude of processing parameters influence on thermoluminescent response of TiO2:Eu2+ nanomaterials obtained by HYSYCVD is presented. Synthesis of one dimension nanostructures of TiO2:Eu2+ was carried out using K2TiF6, as titanium solid precursor, EuCl2 was added as europium dopant at 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 at. %. HYSYCVD processing conditions were temperature of 923.15 K, processing time of 2.5 h, atmospheric pressure, and two different heating rate of 5 K/min (thermal treatment 1 or TT1), and 10 K/min (thermal treatment 2 or TT2). Obtained materials were irradiated with beta rays in the range of doses from 0.083 to 3000 Gy. Field emission scanning electron microscope photomicrographs shown evident changes in microstructure at different heating rates. Thermoluminescence analysis shown 3 main peaks: the first one around to 373.15 K, the second one (main peak) nearby 473.15 K, and the third at 573.15 K. Also, according to heating rates, samples exhibit a marked difference in the thermoluminescence response.