Radiation detection and energy conversion in nuclear reactor environments by hybrid photovoltaic perovskites

Abstract

Detection and direct power conversion of high energy and high intensity ionizing radiation could be a key element in next generation nuclear reactor safety systems and space-born devices. For example, the Fukushima catastrophe in 2011 could have been largely prevented if 1% of the reactor's remnant radiation (γ-rays of the nuclear fission)were directly converted within the reactor to electricity to power the water cooling circuit. It is reported here that the hybrid halide perovskite methylammonium lead triiodide could perfectly play the role of a converter. Single crystals were irradiated by a typical shut-down γ-spectrum of a nuclear reactor with 7.61×10 14 Bq activity exhibit a highefficiency of γ-ray to free charge carrier conversion with radiation hardening. The power density of 0.3 mW/kg of methylammonium lead triiodide at 50 Sv/h means a four times higher efficiency than that for silicon-based cells. The material was stable to the limits of the experiment without changing its performance up to 100 Sv/h dose rate and 57 Sv H*(10) ambient total γ-dose. Moreover, the γ-shielding performance of methylammonium lead triiodide was found to be superior to both ordinary and barite concrete.

Halide perovskites scintillators: unique promise and current limitations

“…Similarly, MAPbI 3 was tested in an energy converter application, and devices showed no performance degradation after a 57 Gy gamma dose (57 Sv H*(10)). 96 The radiation hardness of PVKs has also been shown to extend to protons and electrons, demonstrating a similar self-healing behaviour after irradiation. 97,98 It is proposed that the lability of the constituent ions in PVK structures allows any defects formed by the radiation to be removed, limiting and recovering from, any damage.…”

“…A range of PVK absorbers were tested by Boldyreva et al 95 , with MAPbI 3 displaying remarkable stability after 1 MRad (equivalent to 10 kGy) of gamma exposure, attributed to CH 3 I and NH 3 undergoing radiation-induced radical chemistry that then self-heal any generated defects. Similarly, MAPbI 3 was tested in an energy converter application, and devices showed no performance degradation after 57 Sv H*(10) gamma dose irradiation 96 (equivalent to 57 Gy). The radiation hardness of PVKs has also been shown to extend to protons and electrons, demonstrating a similar self-healing behaviour after irradiation.…”

3D Microstructured Inorganic Perovskite Materials for Thermal Neutron Detection

“…[ 1 ] These perovskites materials have also gained attention for other radiation‐related applications [ 2,3 ] where the stability of hybrid perovskites under ambient conditions is poor. [ 4,5 ] Among several perovskites, CsPbX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I) has gained more attention not only because it possesses excellent electric, electronic, and spectroscopic properties [ 6–16 ] but also because its endurance to humidity and temperature as it lacks organic molecules. [ 17,18 ] It also showed good stability under extreme test conditions, [ 15 ] making it an ideal material for high‐energy radiation detectors.…”

Hybrid halide perovskite neutron detectors

“…Numerous literature reports documented alpha- 21 , beta-particles 22 , X-ray 10 , 12 – 15 , 23 – 27 and γ-ray 11 , 16 – 20 , 28 – 31 detection by perovskite-based devices. All of them revealed exceptional performance, being capable of detecting a wide range of radiation energies and dose-rates, with sensitivities often equal or even better than the best-in-class semiconducting materials 32 .…”

“…It is widely accepted that sensitive detection of this type of radiation is of great importance for the technology of nuclear reactors. In addition, beyond detection purposes, neutron-sensitive capturing devices could also serve for energy harvesting 31 .…”