Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
Thermoluminescence (TL) of La2O3 is reported for the first time. Novel La2O3 phosphor was obtained by solution combustion synthesis (SCS) in which a redox combustion process between lanthanum nitrate and urea at 500 °C is accomplished. The powder samples obtained were annealed at 900 °C during 2 h in air. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) results showed the hexagonal phase of La2O3 for annealed powder samples. The TL glow curve obtained after exposure to beta radiation of these samples, displayed two maxima located at ˜ 101 °C and ˜ 200 °C, and a shoulder at ˜ 247 °C. Results from experiments such as dose response and fading showed that annealed La2O3 powder obtained by SCS is a promising material for radiation dosimetry applications.