Application of hexagonal boron nitride micropowder for thermoluminescent dosimetry of UV radiation

•Thermoluminescence (TL) response of h-BN micropowder after ultraviolet irradiation was studied.•TL excitation spectra within the 200–380-nm range were analyzed.•Participation of VN, ON, and CN centers in the TL mechanisms was assumed.•Linear behavior of TL response of h-BN in the suberythemal UV dose range was shown.

Thermoluminescence (TL) response of h-BN micropowder, characterized by two peaks near 337 and 584 K, was studied in the 380-nm band after excitation with monochromatic ultraviolet radiation (UVR). On the basis of the obtained results and independent data analysis, assumptions were made on the mechanisms of donor–acceptor recombination with the participation of 1B, ON, and CN centers, responsible for the observed thermally activated emission. TL excitation spectra in the 200–380-nm range were analyzed. It was observed that the resolved maxima correspond quite to the characteristic wavelengths of 260 nm (maximum bactericidal efficiency) and 297 nm (maximum skin erythema). It is found that the dose dependence for an integral intensity of high-temperature peak is linear in the suberythemal range of 0.01–0.35 mJ/cm2.