Crystallite size effect on low-dose X-ray sensing behaviour of Y2O3 nanocrystals

Abstract Cubic phase Y2O3 nanocrystals with two different crystallite sizes were prepared by processing the as-synthesized combustion derived sample at 600 °C and 900 °C for two hours. All the three samples were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and thermoluminescence. Further, the low-dose X-ray sensing nature of nanocrystalline Y2O3 was investigated using an intra-oral X-ray machine interfaced with a source meter. Prior to the X-ray sensing measurement, both the samples were coated on the top of patterned metal electrode by slurry deposition process. The electrical variation was recorded under the X-ray illumination reveals sensor responses superior for higher crystallite size as compared with the lower crystallite size. In order to explore the superior sensing nature, thermoluminescence measurement for both the crystalline samples were performed as a function of applied tube voltage at certain predetermined duration of X-ray exposure. These results explore the possibility of utilizing combustion derived Y2O3 to develop low-dose X-ray sensors.