Nanocomposites for low dose gamma-ray sensor: Effect of matrix and oxidizer on the performance

Abstract

Synthesis and crystal growth of scintillators and semiconductor materials for radiation detectors have been proven to be time consuming and very costly. Several alternative crystals such as Tl3ASSe3, TlGaSe2, Tl4HgI6, PbSe(1-x)Ix have developed in our laboratory. These heavy metal and high Z based compounds have shown great promise. We have been working on some innovative approaches based on Cerenkov radiation and nanocomposites of ionizing organics for faster and efficient sensors. By combining some metallic oxides with an organic material, it should be possible to both extend the energy range of particles capable of being detected while also providing more discrimination for high energy gamma-rays, based on local secondary effects in the surrounding organic matrix. We have been working with a highly ionizing organic compound p-chloranil (2,3,5,6-Tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone) matrix. In addition, we have determined effect of oxidizing compounds MnO2 on urea-based composites. We use metal oxide as active ingredient in this matrix. We will present effect of morphology and processing on the performance of nanocomposite for sensing gamma-rays.