Radioluminescence properties of huta ginjang quartz sand doped with CeF3 and Tb2O3 for scintillator application

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) England : 1993), 2024-10, Vol.223, p.111939, Article 111939
• Main Authors: Rajagukguk, Juniastel, Rajagukguk, Donna H., Syahputra, Ricky A., Fibriasari, Hesti, Sarumaha, C.S., Kirdsiri, K., Kothan, S., Kaewkhao, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Optical properties; Quartz sand; Radioluminescence; Silica glass
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2024.111939

Quartz sand is a type of material that is formed from volcanic eruptions and is rich in silicon dioxide (SiO2) compounds. Quartz sand is also commonly referred to as silica sand, as it serves as the primary raw material for producing high-transparency glass. In this research, the preparation and characterization the structure of quartz sand from Huta Ginjang, Taput Regency, North Sumatera, were conducted and composited with several modifying compounds to serve as a potential host matrix for various rare earth ions. In this work, an exploratory investigation on the effects of the substitute of SiO2 to quartz sand in CeF3 and Tb2O3 was executed, focusing on the physical, optical, luminescence and scintillation properties. The XRF analysis of quartz sand powder reveals that it consists primarily of 99.081% silica dioxide. The glass with quartz sand in it is denser than the SiO2 component. Replacing SiO2 with quartz sand enhances the photoluminescence intensity in CeF3 and Tb2O3-doped glass. Nevertheless, the RL emission exhibits the most elevated intensity when doped with SiO2. The results indicate that Tb2O3, when doped with SiO2, shows promise for suitable scintillator application. •Glass made from quartz sand and Si2O materials.•The density of glasses exhibits slight changes.•The enhancement PL emission in CeF3 and Tb2O3 by replacing SiO2 with quartz sand.•Tb2O3 glass doped with SiO2 has the potential for scintillator applications.