Quantum-dot doped polymeric scintillation material for radiation detection

Scintillation and luminescence enhancement were observed in a Quantum Dot-doped scintillating polymer, facilitating energy transfer with polymer medium and scintillating dye. 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) and Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) Quantum Dots (QD) with 418 nm emission coated with oleic acid were dispersed in a polyvinyl toluene (PVT) matrix with transparency retained. Under UV excitation a sharp emission was detected at 426 nm from minimal QD loading with possible indication of QD energy transfer. Scintillation enhancement was observed with different radioactive sources in PVT-PPO/QD polymer with a photomultiplier detector setup. The response to gamma and beta radiation was investigated with differences in the energy spectrum and a count increase observed with increased QD loading.