Characterization of LTB:Cu nanoparticles synthesized using high temperature solid state technique for potential dosimetric applications

Lithium tetraborate (LTB) is a well-known thermoluminescent material with the potential uses in dosimetry. However, the thermoluminescence intensity of LTB is not sufficient for practical applications; therefore, researchers are exploring ways to optimize this property by using varying concentrations of dopants, co-dopants, and temperature tuning. This article presents an in-depth approach to the production of lithium tetraborate (LTB) using the high temperature solid state technique, doped with varied concentrations of metal based copper nanoparticles (68 nm particle size) and sintered to a maximum temperature of 850 °C using a programmable Muffle Furnace. The materials were characterized using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), Fourier Transform infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Thermal Analyzer (DTA) and Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM/EDS). The XRD analysis revealed a tetragonal structure and polycrystalline spectra typical of lithium tetraborate. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the trigonal and tetragonal B – O bond as well as C – H bond and li – O bond. DTA analysis indicated that the material remains thermally stable up to approximately 500 °C. In addition, SEM/EDS analysis revealed a high level of agglomeration and confirmed the presence of the copper dopant in the synthesized LTB samples. The average crystallite size of all the samples synthesized was found to be 27.04 ± 10.21 nm. Hence, lithium tetraborate was synthesized successfully.