Structural, morphological and 6 MeV energy electron dosimetric properties of Cu doped SnO2 phosphor

Cu doped SnO2 (SnO2:Cu) nano phosphor (NP) was successfully synthesized by one-step simple hydrothermal method and it was characterized by XRD (x-ray Diffraction) for structural, FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy) for morphological and EDS (Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy) for elemental analysis. NP was annealed at 700 degrees C for 2 h and its crystallinity for tetragonal phase was confirmed through XRD. The crystallite size was similar to 10.39 nm for un-annealed and similar to 18.16 nm for annealed samples which has been calculated using Scherer equation. The particle size was estimated to be similar to 43 nm and the elemental composition of Sn, O, Cu was obtained by EDS. In addition, to study the dosimetric properties, the SnO2:Cu phosphors were irradiated with 6 MeV electron beam at fluences ranging from 10 x 10(11) e cm(-2) to 20 x 10(12) e cm(-2) which is equivalent to the 1.55 kGy to 31 kGy. The irradiated sample showed Thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetric glow peaks at 170 degrees C, 263 degrees C and 303 degrees C. SnO2:Cu NP was found to be sensitive enough for energetic electrons. Further, it has been noticed that the TL dose response found sensitive upto 10 x 10(12) e cm(-2) (15.50 kGy) with fading of 5.1% for 2 months. Hence, SnO2:Cu can be used for the measurement of electron doses.