Organic-powered perovskite speeds neutron, X-ray and gamma detection

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have developed novel hybrid perovskite materials that leverage the organic component to achieve rapid and efficient light emission under radiation, challenging the traditional focus on the inorganic portion of perovskites. By embedding organic molecules called stilbenes into two-dimensional layered halide perovskite structures, the team achieved a fivefold increase in light emission efficiency compared to the organic molecules alone. This enhanced light emission, which originates from the organic part of the hybrid material, is crucial for fast scintillation properties needed in neutron, X-ray, and gamma radiation detectors. The organic light emission occurs faster than inorganic emission, making these materials particularly suitable for applications requiring rapid radiation detection. Additionally, the hybrid perovskites demonstrated strong environmental stability, maintaining performance for over a year in open air without protective coatings. According to the researchers, these materials perform on par with current state-of-the-art fast radiation detectors, and further optimization could surpass existing technologies. This work, published in the Journal