Thermal effect on thermoluminescence response of hydroxyapatite

• HAp powders were obtained by precipitation method.
• Enhancement of TL response of HAp was observed.
• Decomposition phase of HAp at 900 °C was observed.
• Calcination temperature on TL response was analyzed.
• Fading of HAp calcined at 900 °C was performed showing 5% during 134 days.

This paper presents the experimental results of the thermoluminescence (TL) induced by gamma radiation in synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAp) obtained by the precipitation method, using Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and (NH4)2HPO4 and calcined at different temperatures. The structural and morphological characterization was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. TL response as a function of gamma radiation dose was in a wide range, where intensity was enhanced in the sample annealed at 900 °C, which tricalcium diphosphate (TCP) phase appear. Fading of the TL was also studied.