6Li210B4O7 NPs-loaded plastic scintillators for fast/thermal neutron and gamma ray detection

Abstract

We report herein the synthesis of a new series of plastic scintillators (PSs) loaded with ⁶Li₂¹⁰B₄O₇ nanoparticles (NPs), as new radioluminescent sensors for fast/thermal neutron and gamma ray detection in the critical context of homeland security. This study aims to evaluate the benefit of such nanoparticles towards thermal neutron detection in a fast neutrons/gamma discriminating PS composition. First, a size-controlled synthesis of Li₂B₄O₇ NPs assited with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) is performed. Then enriched ⁶Li₂¹⁰B₄O₇ NPs (65 ± 22 nm) are dispersed in clear PSs mainly composed of polystyrene and standard fluorophores (20 wt% PPO, 0.03 wt% POPOP). For the first time, a triple n_thermal/n_fast/gamma discrimination is presented with a NP-loaded plastic scintillator, where both ⁶Li(n,α) and ¹⁰B(n,α) are observed.