Thermoluminescence response induced by UV radiation in Eu-doped zirconia nanopowders

Abstract Eu-doped zirconia nanopowders were prepared by the sol–gel method. A detailed examination of the morphology and crystalline characterisation was performed through scanning and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Analysis of the thermoluminescent (TL) properties of the ZrO 2 doped with Eu and exposed to UV radiation was also conducted. The characterisation results show an appreciable influence of the Eu-dopant on particle sizes and the zirconia crystalline phases; at lower concentration of Eu, tetragonal ZrO 2 is the most abundant phase whereas a concentration up to 2.0 wt% of Eu leads to the formation of the monoclinic phase. However, if the proportion of Eu increases to 4.0 wt%, the presence of monoclinic ZrO 2 diminishes. Monoclinic ZrO 2 is responsible for trapping and recombination mechanisms. Nevertheless, depending on the concentration of Eu(III), different glow curves are induced by UV radiation on ZrO 2 :Eu. A better thermoluminescence response was observed for ZrO 2 :Eu (1.0 wt%) sample, in which only one narrow glow peak centred at 130 °C with almost two times intensity of pure ZrO 2 was observed.