High sensitivity transparent glass ceramic systems development based on MgSO₄:Dy₂O₃–B₂O₃ and MgSO₄:Dy₂O₃–B₂O₃:ZnO:An investigation of FT-IR and thermal properties for thermoluminescence dosimeter applications

The demand for highly sensitive radiation dosimeters is increasing. Recent research underscores the effectiveness of MgSO₄:Dy₂O₃–B₂O₃ and MgSO₄:Dy₂O₃–B₂O₃:ZnO as new thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) in comparison to the commercial TLD-100. Two series of glass ceramics, [(MgSO₄)₈₆(Dy₂O₃)₁₄]_x[B₂O₃]_1-x with x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and [MgSO₄-Dy₂O₃–B₂O₃]_0·2[ZnO]_x with x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, were successfully prepared using the melt quenching technique. The synthesized samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The XRD pattern confirmed the transparent ceramic nature of the samples, while DTA revealed their thermal stability. FTIR analysis identified the expected composition and vibrational bonds. Upon irradiation, the samples MSDB0.2 and MSDBZ0.05 exhibited the highest sensitivity and dose response, with TLD readings of 1278.84 nC and 3262.63 nC, respectively, compared to the TLD-100 reading of 213.45 nC. This enhanced sensitivity is attributed to MgSO₄:Dy₂O₃ and ZnO, which facilitate charge carrier movement and effective trapping and release of charges in borate glass ceramics. The increase in sensitivity indicates improved accuracy, highlighting the potential of these materials as high performance radiation dosimeters for environmental and medical applications.