Effect of structural changes on luminescent and dosimetric properties of nanoscale aluminum oxide

Variations of the particle size and porosity of the alumina ceramics synthesized by annealing compacted nanopowder at 1500-1700 degrees C in vacuum for various periods of time have been studied by SEM. Particle size distributions, which depend on the conditions of the ceramics synthesis, were obtained and discussed. The formation of fine grains and the growth of their fraction with the increasing annealing temperature increase the thermoluminescence intensity and expands the usable dose range upwards. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.