OSL responses of halloysite nanotubes and their composites with silver nanoparticles

The present work characterized pure halloysite clay mineral nanotubes (HNT) and their composites with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as ionizing radiation dosimeters using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) phenomena. We also explored the HNT's capacity to scavenge heavy metals from solutions to incorporate silver ions in its structure and produce silver nanoparticles in the HNTs, aiming to increase the HNT's OSL intensity. Reflectance spectra in the UV-visible region, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to confirm the formation of AgNPs attached to the nanotubes. Furthermore, the OSL signals revealed an enhanced OSL intensity in samples containing AgNPs, possibly associated with the silver nanostructures' plasmonic properties. Therefore, HNTs and their composites are alternative materials for applications in OSL dosimetry. (author)