Thermoluminescent properties of Ba2ZnSi2O7: RE (RE = Dy3+, Sm3+, Tb3+) phosphors for advanced radiation monitoring applications

• Dy 3+ doping enables deep traps and stable TL peaks for long-term radiation monitoring. • Sm 3+ doped samples show high sensitivity and low-dose detection for clinical use. • Tb 3+ doping offers efficient recombination for real-time radiation monitoring needs. • All samples show linear TL dose response and follow second-order kinetic behaviour. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of Ba 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 phosphors doped with rare earth ions Dysprosium (Dy 3+ ), Samarium (Sm 3+ ), and Terbium (Tb 3+ ) highlighting their potential for a wide range of radiation dosimetry applications. Each dopant uniquely modifies the thermoluminescent properties by influencing trap depth, activation energy, and recombination behaviour. Dy 3+ doped phosphors exhibit deep traps with high activation energies (∼1.3–1.6 eV) and stable glow peaks around 410 K, making them suitable for long-term, high-dose applications such as environmental and space radiation monitoring. Sm 3+ doping results in moderate activation energies (∼1.0–1.3 eV) and extended trap lifetimes, offering excellent sensitivity and low detection limits, ideal for clinical and industrial dosimetry. Tb 3+ doped phosphors, with lower activation energies, support efficient recombination and are optimal for short-term, real-time applications like radiation therapy monitoring and sterilization. TL glow curves for all dopants follow second-order kinetics, indicating re-trapping before recombination, and trap parameters obtained through computerized glow curve deconvolution and Chen’s peak shape method are consistent. The materials demonstrate linear dose responses and high sensitivity, with minimum detectable doses as low as 0.045 Gy. These findings confirm that rare-earth-doped Ba 2 ZnSi 2 O 7 phosphors are versatile, stable, and highly suitable for advanced dosimetry systems across medical, industrial, environmental, and aerospace fields.