Novel scintillation properties by entrapping ZnO: Ga nanocrystals in epoxy polymer

摘要

Polymer based scintillation detectors have an important role in the radiation detection, medicine and nuclear energy. In this study, attempts have been made to prepare a scintillating particle composite by suspending of highly luminescent gallium doped zinc oxide (GZO) powders in an epoxy matrix. The GZO powder was synthesized by a low cost sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopyandRaman spectroscopy confirmed that GZO powders were successfully prepared. The average crystallite size of GZO nanoparticles was also calculated and found to be in the range of 31-32 nm. The scintillation response of GZO epoxy composite was measured using an Am-Be source. The fabricated nanocomposite showed good neutron radiation sensitivity and remarkable blue emission peak (similar to 485 nm) at room temperature. Our investigations showed that GZO composite has a good potential to be used as a scintillator material and can be prepared easily by simple laboratory equipment.