Organic liquid and nanocomposite scintillators for gamma spectroscopic detections

Hao Yu, Roger Zhao, Caleb Redding, Tianheng Chen, Tibor J. Hajagos, Geena Ferrelli, Rafael J. Zaldivar, Jason P. Hayward, Qibing Pei

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Scintillation materials for the spectroscopic detection of gamma photons have been made of inorganic crystals, organic liquid and plastic scintillators. These scintillators are either expensive for large-Area detection or incapable of gamma spectroscopy. We have reported the syntheses of transparent liquids and plastic nanocomposites comprising high loading of high-Z nanoparticles for gamma photoelectric generation and conjugated organic luminescent systems for visible photon generation. Hafnium oxide nanoparticles and cadmium zinc sulfide quantum dots were loaded into the organics up to 60 wt% via methacrylate-Terminated surface functionalization. The liquid scintillator loaded with 40 wt% hafnium oxide nanoparticles demonstrated a light yield of 11699 photons/MeV with an energy resolution of 14.8% for 662 keV gamma. The 60 wt% CZS QD loaded plastic nanocomposite exhibited an optimized light yield of 9275 photons/MeV and produced a gamma photopeak. A radiation hardness study indicates that the loaded liquids and nanocomposites exhibits comparable hardness to the unloaded scintillators.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics XXIII
EditorsNerine J. Cherepy, Michael Fiederle, Ralph B. James
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510645141
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes
EventHard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics XXIII 2021 - San Diego, United States
Duration: Aug 1 2021Aug 5 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume11838
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceHard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics XXIII 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period08/1/2108/5/21

Keywords

  • Energy resolution
  • Nanocomposite
  • Nanoparticle
  • Quantum dot
  • Radiation hardness
  • Scintillator

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