Bio-prototyping of europium-yttria based rods for radiation dosimetry

Abstract

The application of solid state dosimeters in radiation protection has grown significantly as consequence of advances in the development of dosimetric materials using rare earths. The conception of new dosimetric materials concerns synthesis methods, which control the evolution of material structure, including further processing steps as, shaping, drying, and sintering. The present study reports a full bio-prototyping approach to produce europium doped yttria rods with potential application in radiation dosimetry. Ceramic particles synthesized by hydrothermal route were characterized by Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The effect of europium on promoting electronic defects in yttria host was evaluated by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). Low pressure hydrothermal synthesis led to formation of rounded particles with mean diameter of 410 nm. Aqueous suspensions with 20 vol% of particles prepared at pH 10, and 0.2 wt% binder exhibited apparent viscosity of 213 mPa s, being suitable for bio-prototyping of rods. Sintering of shaped samples at 1600 degrees C for 4 h provided formation of dense ceramic rods. Europium-yttria rods containing 5 at.% Eu exhibited the most intense EPR response.