Highly sensitive X-ray detectors with polymer-perovskite-embedded flexible teflon membranes

Abstract

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) combine excellent optoelectronic properties with strong X-ray attenuation, offering a promising platform for high performance and adaptable radiation detectors beyond the limitations of conventional rigid semiconductors. However, state of the art performance has so far been restricted to rigid single crystal perovskite devices, while flexible film-based counterparts have significantly lagged. Here, we close this gap by embedding a polymer-perovskite composite into a mechanically robust yet flexible Teflon membrane. Through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, we provided direct evidence for a dual-action interaction mechanism, where PMA passivates the inorganic Pb²⁺ lattice to enhance phase stability while also interacting with the organic FA⁺ cations to promote a more ordered local environment. This interaction enhances crystallinity and suppresses non-radiative recombination. As a result, our flexible detectors deliver an outstanding sensitivity of 2.3 × 10⁵ µC Gy_air⁻¹ cm⁻² and an ultra-low detection limit of 0.09 nGy_air s⁻¹. Importantly, this high performance is accompanied by excellent device to device reproducibility, long term stability in ambient conditions, and robust mechanical durability under bending. This work presents a comprehensive strategy for developing flexible perovskite based X-ray detectors that simultaneously achieve record sensitivity and practical reliability, enabling the development of next-generation wearable and medical imaging applications.