Structural and phase dependent thermo and photoluminescent properties of Dy(OH)3 and Dy2O3 nanorods

Hexagonal Dy(OH)3 and cubic Dy2O3 nanorods were prepared by hydrothermal method. Dy(OH)3 nanorods was directly obtained at 180 °C for 20 h after hydrothermal treatment whereas subsequently heat treatment at 750 °C for 2 h gives pure cubic Dy2O3. SEM micrographs reveal that needle shaped rods with different sizes were observed in both the phases. TEM results also confirm this. The TL response of hexagonal Dy(OH)3 and cubic Dy2O3 nanorods have been analyzed for γ-irradiation over a wide range of exposures (1–5 kGy). TL glow peak intensity increases with γ dose in both the phases. The activation energy (E), order of kinetics (b), and frequency factor (s) for both the phases have been determined using Chen's peak shape method. The simple glow curve shape, structure and linear response to γ-irradiation over a large span of exposures makes the cubic Dy2O3 as a useful dosimetric material to estimate high exposures of γ-rays.