Thermoluminescent characteristics of synthetic hydroxyapatite (SHAp)

highlights
• Dosimetric characteristics of SHAp under gamma irradiation effect were analyzed
• SHAp powders were obtained by Sol–Gel method
• Fading anomalous of HAp was performed showing 15% during 90 days
• SHAp showed good dosimetric characteristics.
• Dosimetric characteristics of SHAp have not been reported yet in the literature before this paper

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.