Towards a new promising dosimetric material from formation of thulium-yttria nanoparticles with EPR response

Advances toward new materials for dosimetry application is essential to enhance quality assurance and quality improvement practices based on radiation protection concept. Face to this challenge the present work reports an approach to produce thulium-yttria nanoparticles with electron paramagntic resonance response by an alternative hydrothermal synthesis based on a relative low temperature and pressure. Distinct compositions of thulium-yttria nanoparticles with up to 2 at.%Tm (at.%, atomic percentage) were prepared and characterized by XRD, SEM, PCS, and EPR. The proposed synthesis method followed by thermal treatment of the precursor powder at 1100 °C for 2 h provided thulium-yttria nanoparticles with rounded shape, cubic C-type structure, and mean particle size (d50) less than 160 nm. Among all compositions formed, thulium-yttria nanoparticles prepared with 0.1%Tm presented the most remarkable EPR response. The production of fine thulium-yttria nanoparticles with EPR response supply meaningful parameters to advance in the formation of new dosimetry materials based on rare earths. •Cubic C-type thulium-yttria nanoparticles are formed by a relative low temperature hydrothermal synthesis.•Thulium-yttria nanoparticles exhibit mean particle size less than 160 nm.•Doping with thulium improves remarkably EPR response of yttria.•Thulium-yttria nanoparticles are promising for radiation dosimetry use.