Manipulation of X‐Ray Persistent Radioluminescence in Core–Shell–Shell Nanoparticles for Energy‐Discriminated Chromatic 3D Imaging

Abstract

ABSTRACT Lanthanide‐doped fluoride nanoparticles with tunable persistent radioluminescence (persistent RL) have emerged as promising scintillators for 3D X‐ray delay imaging. However, its core challenges persist in developing a highly‐discriminative imaging detection technologies for complex structures composed of materials with similar density. Here, a persistent RL‐assisted energy‐discriminated approach is developed to realize high‐resolution chromatic X‐ray 3D imaging for visualizing material specificity in complex structures. We demonstrated highly differentiated, energy‐dependent, precisely persistent RL multicolor tuning within a single Core–Shell–Shell (CSS) heterogeneous nanoparticles. We uncover the fundamental mechanism underlying persistent RL decay kinetics, establishing a mechanistic framework that links X‐ray energy to color dynamics. This mechanistic insight enables to establish a general design principle for color‐engineered persistent RL nanocrystals and achieving precise discrimination of energy through color‐based information. Moreover, flexible imaging detector incorporating the CSS nanoparticles with the ability to self‐repair, be recycled, and record images, and demonstrated chromatic 3D imaging capable of resolving complex objects with subtle distinctions at a low X‐ray dose rate of 15.1 uGy/s. These findings not only elucidate the photophysical origins of color‐tunable persistent RL, but also pave the way for next‐generation efficient X‐ray imaging systems with broad potential across medical, industrial, and scientific applications.