Transparent matrix structures for detection of neutron particles based on di-ureasil xerogels

Abstract

An important element in the development of advanced neutron detectors is the synthesis and characterization of improved, highly efficient neutron-scintillating materials. The research described here concerns the development of elastic, transparent, and thick film neutron scintillators with high Li+6 loading through room-temperature sol-gel processing. The room-temperature sol-gel processing allows an easy integration of such scintillating materials into electronic detecting devices. The lithium-6 salicylate di-ureasil xerogels developed here show promise for the fabrication of large area neutron detectors and have high potential for use in in situ monitoring and imaging of fissile materials and radioactive contaminants.

Photonic and nanobiophotonic properties of luminescent lanthanide-doped hybrid organic–inorganic materials

“…The di-urea or di-urethane cross-linked poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-siloxane structures (named di-ureasils or urethanesils, respectively) are promising hybrids for the fabrication of large area neutron detectors, 57 as nanocomposite gel electrolytes for dye-sensitized photoeletrochemical cells and as efficient white-light room temperature emitters (quantum yield of 10-20%). 58-65 These materials can be prepared through hydrolysis and condensation of the corresponding organicinorganic hybrid precursors obtained from the reaction of the terminal amine groups of PEO-containing diamines [or the hydroxyl groups of poly(ethylene glycol) for di-urethanesils] with the isocyanate group of 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (ICPTES).…”

“…58-65 These materials can be prepared through hydrolysis and condensation of the corresponding organicinorganic hybrid precursors obtained from the reaction of the terminal amine groups of PEO-containing diamines [or the hydroxyl groups of poly(ethylene glycol) for di-urethanesils] with the isocyanate group of 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (ICPTES). 56 Alternatively, di-ureasils and di-urethanesils can be produced via acetic acid (AA) or valeric acid solvolysis 57,58 displaying an emission quantum yield 27-35%…”

Transparent Solid‐State Lithiated Neutron Scintillators Based on Self‐Assembly of Polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) Copolymer Architectures

“…We have recently developed efficient room-temperature solid-state di-ureasil neutron detectors using a silica sol±gel process. [3] These sol± gel neutron detectors have non-hygroscopic, elastic, transparent, crack-free, and thick monolithic properties, and can be directly fabricated onto electrical and optical devices. However, the photon-conversion yields of the sol±gel scintillators have not been as high as expected.…”

Quantitative Investigation of the Energy Transfer Efficiency in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Scintillation Materials

“…(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6) These scintillation materials have transparent, non-hygroscopic, crack-free, and elastic monolithic properties. Furthermore, it is possible to improve detection efficiency for high-energy photons or thermal neutrons by incorporating appropriate elements or nuclides in the inorganic part while maintaining the fast response of an organic fluor.…”