Monitoring α/β Particles Using a Copper Cluster Scintillator Detector

Q Qiu‐Chen Peng (Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China) R Ruo‐Yu Cao (Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China) Q Qi Yang Y Yu‐Bing Si (Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China) J Jia‐Wang Yuan (Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China) Y Ying‐Ying Lei (Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China) Z Zhao‐Yang Wang (Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials (Zhengzhou University) Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou P. R. China) Q Qiang Tang K Kai Li S Shuang‐Quan Zang (Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials (Zhengzhou University) Ministry of Education Pingyuan Laboratory Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China)

Abstract

AbstractHigh‐energy radiation is widely used in medicine, industry, and scientific research. Meanwhile, the detection of environmental ionizing radiation is essential to ensure the safe use of high‐energy radiation. Among radiation detectors, scintillator detectors offer multiple advantages, including simple structure, high sensitivity, excellent environmental adaptability, and a favorable performance‐to‐price ratio. However, the development of high‐performance scintillators that can provide highly sensitive responses to environmental radiation, especially α/β particles, remains a challenge. In this work, a copper cluster (Cu4I4(DPPPy)2) with excellent water‐oxygen stability is prepared using a simple one‐pot method at room temperature. Cu4I4(DPPPy)2 not only exhibits excellent X‐ray excited luminescence (XEL) under X‐ray irradiation but also demonstrates a highly sensitive scintillation response to α/β particles. By integrating Cu4I4(DPPPy)2 with a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and nuclear electronics, an α/β surface contamination monitor is successfully developed. This monitor enables the sensitive detection of excessive α/β particles in real‐world environments. The detection frequency and signal intensity of Cu4I4(DPPPy)2 significantly surpass those of commercial scintillator of YAP:Ce, BGO, PbWO4, and anthracene under identical conditions, highlighting the promising application of metal clusters in low‐dose environmental radiation detection.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 29
Published July 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

Q

Qiu‐Chen Peng

Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China

R

Ruo‐Yu Cao

Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China

Q

Qi Yang

Y

Yu‐Bing Si

Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China

J

Jia‐Wang Yuan

Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China

Y

Ying‐Ying Lei

Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou 450001 China

Z

Zhao‐Yang Wang

Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials (Zhengzhou University) Ministry of Education College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou P. R. China

Q

Qiang Tang

K

Kai Li

S

Shuang‐Quan Zang

Henan Key Laboratory of Crystalline Molecular Functional Materials Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials (Zhengzhou University) Ministry of Education Pingyuan Laboratory Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China