Synthesis of nanocrystalline Al2O3:C by thermal plasma reactor for radiation dosimetry applications

Al2O3:C is a well-known OSLD dosimetry phosphor but difficult to prepare due to its high melting point and carbon doping. In this paper carbon-doped Al2O3 nanophosphor (Al2O3:C-NP) was synthesized by a novel thermal plasma method using mixture of Al and C as starting materials in the presence of oxygen. Characterization of the material by XRD and TEM shows highly crystalline nanoparticles of gamma-Al2O3 in the range of 10-100 nm. The maximum TL intensity with a very wide-range of doses was observed for the material containing 10 wt% of carbon when irradiated with gamma rays and electron beam.

Automated summary

In this study, carbon-doped Al2O3 nanophosphor was successfully synthesized by a novel thermal plasma method, showing highly crystalline nanoparticles of gamma-Al2O3 in the size range of 10-100 nm. The material containing 10 wt% carbon exhibited the maximum TL intensity over a wide range of doses when irradiated with gamma rays and electron beam.