Relationship between ultraviolet radiation induced thermoluminescence and crystalline structure of ZrO₂

Abstract

Zirconia was cold-pressed into pellets. Ten groups of pellets were sintered respectively at 10 different maximum sintering temperatures. Thermoluminescent (TL) responses of these pellets after ultraviolet (u.v.) irradiation were tested. Surface morphologies and crystalline structures of these pellets were investigated by a scanning electron microscope and an X-ray diffractometer respectively. Combining the results of TL response, surface morphology and crystalline structure of these pellets, we conclude that the TL response of ZrO₂ is closely related to the degree of crystallization of the monoclinic ZrO₂, and the charge trapping center corresponding to the 235°C TL peak could be constructed from the complex crystal plane of 2 monoclinic crystal planes of (122) and (220).

Key Words:

• zirconia
• sintering temperature
• thermoluminescent
• crystallization