Preparation and characterization of Li2B4O7 as a host network for its application in dosimetry

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of the Li₂B₄O₇ host netwoork, presented in this paper, was studied to impulse the future production of tissue equivalent scintillators for application in fiber optic dosimetry for radiotherapy treatments. This material has optic properties appropriate for the design of scintillators and also can be optimized using different activators. The sensitivity of Li₂B₄O₇ depends on the starting materials used, the synthesis conditions, and the particle size achieved. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize its preparation. Three alternative routes were carried out for the synthesis of Li₂B₄O₇: solid phase (FS), self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), and solution combustion synthesis (SCS). The material that presents the most favorable conditions for subsequent studies corresponds to Li₂B₄O₇ prepared through the SCS route using glycine as fuel.