High-Performance Copper-Doped Perovskite-Related Silver Halide X-ray Imaging Scintillator

Abstract

Scintillators are critical for high-energy radiation detection across a wide array of potential applications, from medical radiography and safety inspections all the way to space exploration. However, constrained by their current shortcomings, including high-temperature and complex fabrication as well as inherent brittleness and fragility among thick films and bulk crystals, traditional scintillators are finding it difficult to meet the rising demand for cost-effective, ecofriendly, and flexible X-ray detection. Here, we describe the development of high-performance and flexible X-ray scintillators based on films of Cu-doped Cs2AgI3 that exhibit ultrahigh X-ray sensitivity. The materials exhibit a high scintillation light yield of up to 82 900 photons/MeV and a low detection limit of 77.8 nGy/s, which is approximately 70 times lower than the dosage for a standard medical examination. Moreover, richly detailed X-ray images of biological tissue and electronic components with a high spatial resolution of 16.2 lp/mm were obtained using flexible, large-area, solution-processed scintillation screens.

Highly Stable Zero-Dimensional Lead-Free Metal Halides for X-ray Imaging

“…Materials such as CsI (CsI:TI), LYSO (Lu,Y) 2 SiO 5 :Ce 3+ ), and GOS (Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb 3+ ) are currently widely used as scintillators in indirect X-ray detectors. − However, they have several limitations such as complicated synthesis processes and poor thermal stability. − Recently, lead halide perovskites (LHPs) have attracted significant attention as scintillators due to their low detection limits and the possibility of multicolor radioluminescence (RL). − However, the main drawbacks of the LHPs as scintillators are low thermal and chemical stability and self-absorption properties of LHPs. Moreover, the inherent toxicity of lead is a critical limitation of LHPs. − Recently, lead-free metal halides have been developed as scintillators. , For instance, Yang et al reported that Rb 2 CuBr 3 was as a scintillator with a high light yield and Zhang et al applied Rb 2 AgBr 3 , with its short scintillation decay time, to dynamic X-ray imaging . In addition, Jiang et al applied C 4 H 12 NMnCl 3 and (C 8 H 20 N) 2 MnBr 4 for a WLED and X-ray scintillator .…”

“…13−16 Recently, lead-free metal halides have been developed as scintillators. 17,18 For instance, Yang et al reported that Rb 2 CuBr 3 was as a scintillator with a high light yield 19 and Zhang et al applied Rb 2 AgBr 3 , with its short scintillation decay time, to dynamic Xray imaging. 20 In addition, Jiang et al applied C 4 H 12 NMnCl 3 and (C 8 H 20 N) 2 MnBr 4 for a WLED and X-ray scintillator.…”

Ultrastable Lead-Free Rb2AgCl3 Microcrystals for X-ray Imaging

“…A short lifetime was required for dynamic X-ray imaging. Both the broad emission and large Stokes shift were probably due to self-trapped exciton (STE) emission, while the lifetime was obviously short. , We thus propose the defect-bound excitons (DBEs) radioluminescence of our Rb 2 AgCl 3 scintillator, corresponding to that of the Rb 2 AgBr 3 …”

“…Both the broad emission and large Stokes shift were probably due to self-trapped exciton (STE) emission, while the lifetime was obviously short. 24,25 We thus propose the defect-bound excitons (DBEs) radioluminescence of our Rb 2 AgCl 3 scintillator, corresponding to that of the Rb 2 AgBr 3 . 26 To explore the reason for broadband emission, different wavelengths were applied to investigate PLE spectra of the Rb 2 AgCl 3 .…”

Visualization of X-rays with an Ultralow Detection Limit via Zero-Dimensional Perovskite Scintillators

“…Recently, perovskites acting as scintillators have aroused huge attention. Particularly, the unique connectivity structure of zero-dimensional (0D) perovskites induces strong exciton localization and electron–phonon interaction, leading to characteristic emissions such as a broad symmetrical emission band, self-absorption free, and long lifetime. − Additionally, the 0D perovskites have been described as ideal candidates for X-ray detection scintillators on account of the merits, including easy preparation, high stability, and reabsorption-free radioluminescence (RL). Copper-based scintillators have been extensively studied as typical zero-dimensional scintillators, achieving a high light yield and high spatial resolution of 17 lp·mm –1 . ,− …”