Thermoluminescence, Optical, and IR Spectroscopic Properties of the Li2O–CaO–MgO–B2O3 Glass System for Gamma-Ray Dosimetry

Abstract

In this work, borate glass samples with the composition xMgO–10Li2O–10CaO–(80–x)B2O3, (x= 5–25 mol% MgO) were fabricated and evaluated for their suitability for radiation dosimetry. The glass samples were synthesized using the melt-quenching technique. The starting components were melted at 1200 °C for 1 h, followed by annealing at 350 °C for 2 h to relieve internal stresses and prevent cracking. The samples were prepared as discs with a diameter of 3 mm and a thickness of 1 mm for thermoluminescence measurements and were subsequently irradiated using gamma rays from a Co-60 source. The effect of MgO content on the physical and optical properties was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of the fabricated glasses, while FTIR spectra revealed the presence of both BO3 and BO4 structural units. UV–visible spectra showed a decrease in the indirect optical band gap with increasing MgO content. The prepared samples were irradiated with different gamma doses, among which the sample containing 5 mol% MgO exhibited the highest integrated TL intensity. Dose–response and fading studies were also carried out, demonstrating improved linearity and low fading. These results suggest that the lithium borate–calcium glass system modified with 5 mol% MgO may be suitable for radiation dose measurement.