Shining Emitter in a Stable Host: Design of Halide Perovskite Scintillators for X-ray Imaging from Commercial Concept

Abstract

Halide perovskite (HP) nanocrystals (NCs) have recently shown great potential for X-ray detection and imaging. However, the practical application still has a long way to go with many technical requirements waiting to be fulfilled, including structure optimization, stability enhancement, and cost reduction. A design principle in this beginning stage is urgently needed but still lacking. Herein, with an "emitter-in-matrix" principle refined from commercial scintillators, CsPbBr₃@Cs₄PbBr₆ with emissive CsPbBr₃ NCs embedded inside a solid-state Cs₄PbBr₆ host is subjected to X-ray sensing and imaging. The Cs₄PbBr₆ matrix not only enhances the attenuation of X-rays but also dramatically improves the stability of CsPbBr₃ NCs. A favorable optical design with the Cs₄PbBr₆ matrix being transparent to the emission from CsPbBr₃ NCs enables efficient light output. As a result, stable and sensitive scintillation response to X-ray signals is demonstrated with superior linearity and ultrahigh time resolution. In order to show the huge potential for practical applications, X-ray imaging using a large-area film (360 mm × 240 mm) by the blade-coating technique is carried out to obtain a high-quality image of interior structures invisible to the human eye. In addition to the above advantages in optics, CsPbBr₃@Cs₄PbBr₆ also enjoys facile solution synthesis with large scalability, excellent repeatability, and low cost.