Thermoluminescence characteristics of inorganically and organically capped ZnS:Cu nanophosphors

► Thermoluminescence (TL) properties of capped ZnS:Cu nanophosphors were investigated. ► Capping can function as an efficient enhancer of luminescence in ZnS nanophosphors. ► Silica capped ZnS:Cu nanophosphors showed well resolved, isolated and high intensity TL peak around 245 °C. ► A linear/sublinear TL response was observed between 10 and 550 Gy.