Thermoluminescent characteristics of synthetic hydroxyapatite (SHAp)

This paper presents the experimental results of the thermoluminescent (TL) characteristics of synthetic hydroxyapatite (SHAp) obtained by the sol-gel method. For preparation of the SHAp powders, phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) and calcium nitrate tetrahydrated (Ca(NO₃)₂-4H₂O) were used. The powders obtained were submitted at different temperatures. The structural and morphological characterization were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy techniques. TL glow curve exhibited two peaks centered at around 200°C and 300°C. TL response of SHAp as a function of gamma absorbed dose was linear over a wide dose range. Fading of the storage information in the samples irradiated was also studied. The experimental results show that the synthetic hydroxyapatite obtained by the sol-gel method may have used in gamma radiation dosimetry applications.