New characterization and evaluation of BaSO4: Eu as a thermoluminescent radiation dosimeter.

• The TL dosimetry characteristics of BaSO 4 : Eu including reusability, response to varying heating rates, signal fading, dose response and order of kinetics were studied for low dose irradiations. • The optimal Eu doping concentration and heating rate were found to be 0.5 mol % and 5 K/s, respectively. • The TL reusability and fading rate were found to be only 1.2% and 0.14 % per day, respectively, demonstrating the promising dosimetric properties of the nanophosphor. Thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry is used in radiation protection and for measuring absorbed dose to patients in diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy. The main aim of the study herein was to assess the TL properties of BaSO 4 : Eu nanophosphors following irradiation with low dose γ- and X-rays. BaSO 4 phosphors activated with various concentrations of Eu were prepared by the co-precipitation method. The highest radiation sensitivity was obtained for an Eu concentration of 0.5 mol%. The TL properties in terms of glow curve, heating rate, reusability, fading and order of kinetics were studied. Optimized BaSO 4 : Eu irradiated with doses from 1.25 to 50 mGy displayed a major TL peak at ≈ 220 °C and exhibited a linear response with absorbed dose. The reusability test was performed for ten consecutive irradiations, readings, and annealing cycles, and showed a slight decrease in TL after the first cycle after which it was stabilized. Signal fading measurements were performed for irradiated samples over 50 days, where a signal loss of about 0.14 % per day was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]