Effect of Cu-doping on the structural, morphological, and optically stimulated luminescence properties of ZnO for potential high-dose radiation detection

Date of Publication

8-2026

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Applied Physics

Subject Categories

Physics

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Physics

Thesis Advisor

Gil Nonato C. Santos
Toni Beth G. Lopez
Mon Bryan Z. Gili

Defense Panel Chair

Maria Carla F. Manzano

Defense Panel Member

Wilfred V. Espulgar
Michael Joe S. Alvarez

Abstract (English)

Reliable radiation dosimetry is essential for radiation protection to ensure occupational and public safety. This study investigates Zinc Oxide doped with Copper (ZnO: Cu) as a cost-effective, locally sustainable optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter (OSLD) material. Cu-doped ZnO powders at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 mol% are synthesized and characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) readout. XRD analysis confirms that all samples retain the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO with high crystallinity, exhibiting slight peak broadening and intensity variations indicative of lattice distortion from Cu incorporation. SEM-EDX results reveal agglomerated, porous granular morphologies and confirm a homogeneous distribution of Zn, O, and Cu. OSL readout demonstrates a strong dependence on both dopant concentration and absorbed dose. The 10 mol% Cu-doped ZnO sample yields the highest OSL intensity—reaching 0.79 counts at an optimal dose of 0.4 kGy, compared to 0.09 for undoped ZnO and lower response for 1 mol% Cu and 5 mol% Cu samples—confirming that Cu incorporation forms effective charge-trapping and recombination centers. At higher doses (0.8-1.6 kGy), signal saturation and decline occur due to trap-filling effects. The broad dose-response range and high-dose signal behavior observed suggest that Cu-doped ZnO holds potential for high-dose industrial radiation monitoring detection. However, further investigation is warranted to validate its practical viability, particularly regarding signal fading and long-term stability and reproducibility across synthesis batches.

Abstract Format

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Abstract (Filipino)

Mahalaga ang maaasahang radiation dosimetry sa radiation protection upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga manggagawa at ng publiko. Sinusuri ng pag-aaral na ito ang Zinc Oxide na dope ng Copper (ZnO:Cu) bilang isang mura at lokal na sustenableng optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter (OSLD) na materyal. Ginawa ang ZnO:Cu powders sa mga konsentrasyon na 1, 5, at 10 mol% at sinuri gamit ang Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), at Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) readout. Kinumpirma ng XRD analysis na napanatili ng lahat ng sample ang hexagonal wurtzite structure ng ZnO na may mataas na crystallinity, na nagpapakita ng bahagyang peak broadening at pagbabago sa intensity na nagpapahiwatig ng lattice distortion mula sa pagsasama ng Cu. Ipinapakita ng resulta ng SEM-EDX ang agglomerated, porous, at granular na morphology, at kinumpirma nito ang homogeneous na pamamahagi ng Zn, O, at Cu. Nagpakita ang OSL readout ng malakas na dependensiya sa parehong dopant concentration at absorbed dose. Ang 10 mol% Cu-doped ZnO sample ang nagbigay ng pinakamataas na OSL intensity—umaabot sa 0.79 counts sa optimal dose na 0.4 kGy, kumpara sa 0.09 ng undoped ZnO at mas mababang tugon ng 1 mol% at 5 mol% Cu samples—na nagpapatunay na epektibong bumubuo ang Cu incorporation ng charge-trapping at recombination centers. Sa mas mataas na dose (0.8-1.6 kGy), nagaganap ang signal saturation at pagbaba dahil sa trap-filling effects. Iminumungkahi ng malawak na dose-response range at ang naobserbahang high-dose signal behavior na may potensyal ang Cu-doped ZnO para sa high-dose industrial radiation monitoring detection. Gayunpaman, kinakailangan pa ng karagdagang pagsisiyasat upang mapatunayan ang praktikal nitong kakayahan, partikular na hinggil sa signal fading at long-term stability, gayundin ang reproducibility sa iba't ibang synthesis batches.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Zinc oxide; Copper compounds; Optically stimulated luminescence; Radiation dosimetry

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Embargo Period

8-25-2026

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