Organic-Inorganic Composite Scintillators Loaded with LiF-CaF2:Eu Eutectic Powder: Preparation and Characterization

doi:10.15541/jim20250163

Abstract

Abstract:

Thermal neutron technology is widely applied in many fields, such as homeland security, nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear energy development, industrial nondestructive testing, and nuclear physics research. However, existing commercially available thermal neutron detection materials currently still face many developmental challenges in terms of detection performance and manufacturing costs. In this study, a series of organic-inorganic composite scintillators sensitive to thermal neutrons was prepared via solid-state reaction by uniformly dispersing 0-20% (in mass) of LiF-CaF₂:Eu eutectic powder in organic polystyrene matrixes. X-ray diffraction patterns, scanning electron microscope morphologies, and elemental distributions of the synthesized LiF-CaF₂:Eu eutectic powder were analyzed. The radioluminescence and optical transmittance of the prepared composite scintillators were evaluated, and comparisons were made between LiF-CaF₂:Eu eutectic powder and LiF-CaF₂:Eu mixed powder as inorganic additives. Using cadmium difference method and pulse shape discrimination technologies, the thermal neutron detection performance of composite scintillators loaded with LiF-CaF₂:Eu (natural Li abundance) and ⁶LiF-CaF₂:Eu (95% enriched ⁶Li) eutectic powder was systematically investigated. Compared to composites filled with LiF-CaF₂:Eu mixed powder, those filled with LiF-CaF₂:Eu eutectic powder exhibited better optical transmittance and higher radioluminescence intensity, which increased with the addition of more eutectic powder. Increasing the abundance of ⁶Li can effectively improve thermal neutron detection efficiency, and figure of merit for thermal neutron/gamma discrimination in composite scintillators can reach 2.64. As a promising novel scintillator for thermal neutron detection, the composite scintillators loaded with LiF-CaF₂:Eu eutectic powder show excellent thermal neutron detection and thermal neutron/gamma discrimination.

Key words: composite scintillator, thermal neutron detection, LiF-CaF₂:Eu, eutectic, discrimination

CLC Number:

TL812

ZHOU Qi, LI Xiang, ZHANG Kaihui, WANG Zeliang, DENG Mingxue, JIA Wenbao, WANG Ke, CHEN Junfeng. Organic-Inorganic Composite Scintillators Loaded with LiF-CaF₂:Eu Eutectic Powder: Preparation and Characterization[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2026, 41(2): 201-207.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of thermal neutron response measurement setup

Fig. 2 (a) XRD patterns of LiF-CaF2:Eu and 6LiF-CaF2:Eu eutectic powders; (b) Raman spectra of LiF-CaF2 composite scintillators

Fig. 3 SEM images and elemental mappings of the synthesized LiF/CaF2:Eu mixed powder and LiF-CaF2:Eu eutectic powder (a) SEM image and (b-d) EDS analyses of LiF/CaF2:Eu mixed powder; (e) Schematic diagram of neutron detection using LiF/CaF2:Eu mixed powder; (f) SEM image and (g-i) EDS analyses of LiF-CaF2:Eu eutectic powder;(j) Schematic diagram of neutron detection using LiF-CaF2:Eu eutectic powder. Colorful figures are available on website

Fig. 4 SEM-EDS analyses of composite scintillators loaded with (a-e) 20% (in mass) LiF-CaF2:Eu eutectic powder and (f-j) 20% (in mass) LiF/CaF2:Eu mixed powder Colorful figures are available on website

Fig. 5 Optical transmittance spectra and XEL spectra of LiF-CaF2 and LiF/CaF2 composite scintillators (a) Optical transmittance spectra of 20% (in mass) LiF-CaF2 and LiF/CaF2 composite scintillators; (b) XEL spectra of 20% (in mass) LiF-CaF2 and LiF/CaF2 composite scintillators; (c) Optical transmittance spectra of 0-20% (in mass) LiF-CaF2 composite scintillators; (d) XEL spectra of 5%-20% LiF-CaF2 composite scintillators. Colorful figures are available on website

Fig. 6 Thermal neutron response and thermal neutron/gamma discrimination properties of composite scintillator loaded with LiF-CaF2:Eu eutectic powder (a) Schematic diagram of neutron detection process in LiF-CaF2:Eu eutectic powder; (b) Pulse height spectra under irradiation of 241Am-Be source; (c, d) 1D PSD histograms with and without Cd shielding; (e, f) 2D PSD scatter plots

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Organic-Inorganic Composite Scintillators Loaded with LiF-CaF₂:Eu Eutectic Powder: Preparation and Characterization

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