Scintillation materials based on metal iodates by rare earth doping modifications for use in radioluminescence and X-ray imaging

Abstract

Scintillators, which can emit visible photons under γ- or X-ray excitation, are widely used in radiation detection. Traditional inorganic scintillators usually have some drawbacks, such as hygroscopicity or a high synthesis temperature, and most of them are poisonous. Hence, we report the synthesis of metal iodate scintillators (Eu(IO₃)₃ and Tb(IO₃)₃) by a facile hydrothermal reaction that exhibit good radioluminescence (RL) intensity. To further increase the RL intensities, we prepared Eu(IO₃)₃:xSm and Tb(IO₃)₃:xGd with stronger RL intensities and higher sensitivities than BaF₂ and PbWO₄ powders when x = 3%. Furthermore, we obtained scintillating films consisting of Eu(IO₃)₃:3%Sm and Tb(IO₃)₃:3%Gd for X-ray imaging. Our Eu(IO₃)₃:3%Sm and Tb(IO₃)₃:3%Gd films revealed excellent luminescence under high-energy X-ray excitation and spatial resolutions down to 9 lp mm⁻¹ and 8 lp mm⁻¹, respectively. Thus, these films can be regarded as candidate materials for X-ray imaging.