Characterization of nanoporous Al2O3:C for thermoluminescent radiation dosimetry

Thermoluminescent (TL) α-Al2O3:C dosimeters, produced in the form of single crystals, show a high sensitivity to ionizing radiation (about 40–60 times higher than LiF:Mg,Ti). However, the crystal growth requires high temperatures (2050 °C) and highly reducing atmospheres. This paper presents the TL response of thin nanoporous Al2O3:C membranes obtained by electrochemical anodizing of aluminum in organic acid solutions at room temperature. The TL properties of the samples were analyzed as a function of the anodizing voltage in the interval 30–60 V and of the acid concentrations from 0.05 to 0.6 M. The dosimetric response of the samples for 60Co gamma radiation is linear with dose, and the best response was found for samples anodized at 130 V with 0.10 M acid concentration.