Synthesis and dosimetry characteristics of a new high sensitivity TLD phosphor NaLi2PO4:Eu3+

•Synthesis and characterization of a new NaLi2PO4:Eu3+ TLD phosphor.•TL dosimetry studies such as dose response, fading and reusability have been done.•Simple glow curve, high sensitivity, low fading, wider dose range for γ radiation.•Comparison with commercially available phosphors.•Comparative studies show that it is very much suitable TLD phosphor for dosimetry.

A new highly sensitive, low-Z (Zeff ≈ 10.8) TLD phosphor, Eu3+ doped NaLi2PO4, was successfully synthesized via solid state diffusion method. The formation of the single phase compound was confirmed by Powder X-Ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Variation of the doping level has shown that the impurity (Eu3+) concentration for maximum TL sensitivity is 0.5 mol%. Heat treatments given to achieve the high TL sensitivity of this phosphor also showed that it needs to be annealed at 973 K for 1 h. Incorporation of the impurity in the Eu+3 states was confirmed by the PL emission peaks. The TL glow curve consists of a prominent dosimetry peak at around 458 K besides small shoulders on both sides at around 400 and 500 K. The dose response of the phosphor was found to be sub-linear up to 10 Gy of the dose and later it becomes linear till it start saturating beyond 1 kGy. The TL sensitivity of the newly developed NaLi2PO4:Eu3+ phosphor to γ radiation from 137Cs (in the linear dose range) was compared to some standard commercially available phosphors, such as, TLD-100, TLD-400, TLD-700H and TLD-900. It was found to be much more sensitive than these phosphors except TLD-700H, which is ∼2 times more sensitive. Easy method of synthesis, simple glow curve structure, high sensitivity, low fading, wide range of doses and very good reusability make the phosphor a suitable candidate for the TL dosimetry.