Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite Scintillator for Neutron and γ-Ray Detection

Abstract

For mixed-field radiation detection, abundant characteristic signatures can be obtained through the detection of both neutron and γ-rays, which brings a huge challenge for high-efficiency detection of neutrons and γ-rays by using a single scintillator. Unfortunately, commercial organic scintillators show good performance for neutron detection but lack the sensitivity to detect γ-rays, whereas inorganic scintillators show the opposite behavior. Herein, two-dimensional lithium-doped phenylethylammonium lead bromide (Li-(PEA)2PbBr4) perovskite single crystals were reported for mixed-field radiation detection. Abundant hydrogen, lithium, and heavy lead atoms enabled a large cross section toward neutrons and γ-rays. The Li-(PEA)2PbBr4 exhibited a bright blue emission peak at 434 nm, a fast decay time of 10.5 ns, a high light yield of ∼29 000 photons/MeV, and a light yield nearly 9 times higher than that of the plastic scintillator EJ200 under α excitation. The sensitivity was 2.55 × 10–14C per γ-ray under 60Co excitation. It also showed an excellent response toward neutrons with a wide range of energy, and the sensitivities were 2.29 × 10–14C per neutron (14.1 MeV) and 1.93 × 10–14C per neutron (2.5 MeV). Moreover, Li-(PEA)2PbBr4 exhibited better spatial resolutions in high-energy pulsed X-ray (2 lp/mm) and neutron (1 lp/mm) imaging applications. These results indicate the favorable ability of Li-(PEA)2PbBr4 in mixed-field radiation detection.