Abstract:
Eu2+ doped and Dy3+ co-doped strontium aluminate (SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+) phosphors were synthesized by the solution - combustion technique at 500 oC using urea as a reducer, a widely known method for preparing nano sized phosphors. Sr(NO3)2, Al(NO3)3.9H2O, CH4N2O, Eu(NO3)3.5H2O and Dy(NO3)3 were used as raw materials for the preparation of the SrAl2O4 (RE: Eu, Dy) precursor. The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of beta (β) irradiated SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+ have been studied. The electron-trapping properties in terms of TL glow curves are discussed in detail. The TL intensity was recorded for different beta doses at different heating rates. The influence of repeated measurements on the same sample on peak temperature and TL intensity was also investigated. Different kinetic parameters like activation energy and frequency factor are calculated for different TL glow curves. We have also calculated the trap depth with the variable heating method.
Description:
This work is based on the research supported by the South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation of South Africa, University of the Free State Cluster Fund and Rhodes University Physics departments. Also the services of the research equipment of University of Free State and Rhodes University Physics departments used in this study are gratefully acknowledged by the authors.
