Building up europium thulium co-doped yttria nanoparticles with electron paramagnetic resonance response by colloidal synthesis

Abstract

In the radiation dosimetry field the research for new materials is a continuos demand with the aim to provide highly improvement procedures where ionizing radiation is used. Considering this challenge, the present work reports the colloidal synthesis of europium-thulium-co-doped yttria powders (YET) and evaluates the dopants effect on the promotion of EPR response of yttria. The powdered compositions prepared with up to 2at.%Tm and 2at.%Eu (at.%, atomic percentage) were evaluate by XRD, PCS, SEM, and EPR. Based on the results, the proposed synthesis method provided ceramic powders with cubic C-type form and mean particle size (d50) less than 160nm. The most significant EPR dose-response was noticed for the powdered composition prepared with 0.5at. %Tm (YET0.5) as irradiated with 5kGy (60Co). These findings are key parameters to advance toward the formation of new materials for radiation dosimetry.