Co nanoparticle effects on the thermoluminescent signal induced by UV and gamma radiation in ZrO2 powders

•Co nanoparticles have a strong influence on the morphology of synthetized ZrO2.•Tetragonal and monoclinic zirconia were observed on pure and Co-doped ZrO2.•The incorporation of Co nanoparticles in ZrO2 has effects on the TL intensity.•Co nanoparticles in ZrO2 induce two new TL signals at higher temperatures.•We showed that ZrO2 could be an appropriate dosimetric material for γ-radiation.

Zirconia powders, both pure and doped with Co nanoparticles were prepared by the sol–gel method followed by thermal treatment at 1000 °C. The morphological and crystallographic characteristics were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and the Rietveld refinements method. Analysis of the thermoluminescent (TL) signal induced by UV and gamma radiation was also conducted. According to the results, Co nanoparticles have a strong influence on the growth of ZrO2 particles and favor the formation of monoclinic zirconia. Moreover, an important influence of the added Co nanoparticles was observed on the position of the TL peaks of ZrO2, inducing a shift in the luminescence towards higher temperatures as well as the presence of more TL peaks at higher temperatures.