Formation of dysprosium doped yttria (YDy) powders with EPR response

From rare-earth (RE) based oxides, yttria (Y 2 O 3 ) has unique solid-state characteristics, and as doped with RE-ions, exhibits excellent spectroscopic properties. However, its potentiality in radiation dosimetry field has been rarely explored. Based on this context, the present paper reports an alternative hydrothermal synthesis based on low temperature and environmental pressure to form dysprosium doped yttria (YDy) nanoparticles with potential application in radiation dosimetry. According to the results, YDy compositions with up to 2 at%Dy exhibited cubic C-type form, rounded-like shape, and narrow particle size distribution with the average size inferior to 700 nm. In addition, by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), it was seen that the EPR response of the YDy nanoparticles relied on the content of dysprosium, while the YDy composition containing 0.1 at%Dy exhibited the maximum spin concentration 23.10 27 s.mm −3 among all compositions. These innovative findings are useful processing parameters to advance toward the formation of shaped bodies by additive manufacturing, and use in solid state dosimetry. • An alternative hydrothermal synthesis was performed to form YDy powders. • YDy powdered compositions with cubic C-type form were succeeded. • YDy powders with average size (d 50 ) inferior to 700 nm were obtained. • YDy powders exhibited distinct EPR spectra as a function of Dy content. • Rare-earth based oxides are promising materials for radiation dosimetry.