Enhanced OSL emission from α- Al2O3 produced in the presence of halloysite nanocrystals

Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) compounds are extensively used in ionizing radiation dosimetry due to their high sensitivity when doped with carbon. However, their production is difficult and expensive, leading to much research on alternative ways to increase its sensitivity. This paper proposes a seed-mediated synthesis of α-Al₂O₃ by the combustion method with halloysite nanocrystals as seeds, which also have the ability to scavenge heavy metal ions. The dosimetric features were studied by radioluminescence (RL), thermoluminescence (TL), and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). Scanning electron microscopy images and X-ray diffraction patterns pointed to the halloysite nanotubes (HNT) acting as heterogeneous nucleation seeds, and as adsorber centers for the chromium ions (Cr³⁺), as evidenced by the decreased crystallite size and Cr³⁺ RL emission. Decreased TL intensity upon increasing HNT content in addition to the RL data suggested that the Cr³⁺ ions strongly participate in the TL emission process as a luminescent center. Remarkable 6-fold enhanced OSL area intensity and 69-fold OSL initial intensity enhancement were registered from the samples seed-mediated by HNT, revealing that, by scavenging Cr³⁺, the HNT eliminated a luminescent center that competes with the OSL emission. Therefore, HNTs are promising nanomaterials to enhance the sensitivity of Al₂O₃ dosimeters with potential application in medical physics, where a decrease in the density of concurrent luminescent centers and an increase in OSL intensity were evidenced by the presence of HNT in Al₂O₃.