Comparative study of thermoluminescence behaviour of Gd₂O₃ phosphor synthesized by solid state reaction and combustion method with different exposure

Gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃) phosphor was synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction method and combustion synthesis method. Mix phase gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃) phosphor was converted into pure cubic phase by heating at high temperature (1400 °C). Nanoparticle of Gd₂O₃ was successfully synthesized by hydrolysis of gadolinium nitrate followed by combustion in presence of urea. The prepared nanophosphor has monoclinic structure. Samples prepared by both the methods were characterized by using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Thermoluminescence (TL) properties of both Gd₂O₃ nanophosphors has been investigated using UV irradiation source for the exposure time from 5 min up to 20 min and for γ-irradiation in the dose range 0.5–2 K Gy. The effect of different heating rates such as 4 °C s⁻¹−7 °C s⁻¹ on the TL glow curves have also investigated. From TL glow curves the kinetic parameters such as activation energy (E), frequency factor (s) and order of kinetics were estimated using Chen's peak shape method and results are discussed. The influence of high temperature solid state reaction and combustion synthesis on TL glow curve with kinetic parameter is also discussed in details. - Highlights: • Pure Gd₂O₃ is synthesised by two different methods. • Structures of the prepared phosphors were confirmed by XRD and electron microscopic analysis. • Thermoluminescence behaviour of the prepared phosphor was compared. • Computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) was applied for optimized TL glow curve. • Kinetic parameters were calculated by peak shape method.