A New Concept of Radiation Detection Based on a Fluorochromic and Piezochromic Nanocluster

Abstract

Developing materials that possess colorimetric responses to external stimuli is a promising strategy for addressing the current challenges in radiation dosimetry. Currently, colorimetric ionizing-radiation-responsive materials remain underexplored, and those with multistimuli response are rare. Herein, the integration of thorium cation and photoresponsive terpyridine carboxylate ligand gives rise to a thorium nanocluster, <b>Th-101</b>, which displays the second case of fluorochromic response and unprecedented piezochromic behavior among all actinide materials. The emission color of <b>Th-101</b> exhibits a gradual transition from blue to cyan to green upon irradiation with accumulated dose, which renders colorimetric dosimetry of ionizing radiation based on a red-green-blue (RGB) concept. Further fabricating <b>Th-101</b> into a custom-built optoelectronic device allows for on-site quantification of radiation dose with merits of ease of operation, rapid readout, and cost-effectiveness.