Synthesis, X-ray, and thermoluminescence properties of Li₃K₃Y₇(BO₃)₉

Li₃K₃Y₇(BO₃)₉ has been synthesized using conventional solid-state reaction techniques. The microstructure and morphology of the synthesized compound were observed with a field-emission scanning electron microscope. The fundamental vibrational modes of borate compounds are determined with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. The elements present in the sample were confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The effective atomic number (Z_eff) for this compound was determined and found to be 32.08. X-ray-induced luminescence spectra shows only one band at 350 nm (3.7 eV) that is related to radiation annihilation of self-trapped excitons. Thermoluminescence (TL) measurements were carried out under a heating rate of 2 K/s, followed by X-ray irradiation. It was observed that the LKYBO compound has one intensive TL peak at 434 K, and two weak intensity peaks at 380 K and 525 K. The TL kinetic parameters, such as trap depth (E) and frequency factor (s⁻¹), for all three glow peaks were analyzed using various standard methods and are reported for the first time. A mean value of 1.10 eV is obtained for the main peak.