High-Resolution X-ray Imaging Based on Solution-Phase-Synthesized Cs₃Cu₂I₅ Scintillator Nanowire Array

Abstract

Lead-free copper halide scintillators have shown tremendous potential applications in X-ray detection and imaging. However, the imaging resolution is still rather limited due to the lack of a scintillation waveguide, especially for the solution-processed nanocrystal scintillators. Here, we report a solution synthesis route for Cs3Cu2I5 nanowire (NW) arrays via an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template-assisted in situ growth. As the NWs grow, the precursor concentration directly affects the length and uniformity of the Cs3Cu2I5 NWs among the various factors. The as-synthesized Cs3Cu2I5 NW array scintillators achieve a high spatial resolution of 20 lp mm–1, which is so far the highest value for this emerging copper halide scintillators. The present study provides a convenient and facile method to synthesize Cs3Cu2I5 NW arrays for high-resolution X-ray imaging.