Poly (ether sulfone) as a scintillation material for radiation detection

• PES is characterised as a scintillation material for radiation detection.
• PES has an emission maximum at 350 nm.
• The effective refractive index for PES is 1.74 based on its emission spectrum.
• The light yield of PES is 2.21 that of PET and 0.31 times that of PEN.
• The PES response to 5486 (6118) keV alpha particles is 546±81 (598±83) keV electron equivalents.

Considerable attention has been drawn to the advantages of using aromatic ring polymers for scintillation materials in radiation detection. Thus, it is important to identify and characterise those with the best potential. Here, we characterise poly (ether sulfone) (PES), which is an amber-coloured transparent resin that possesses sulfur as a main component and has a density of 1.37 g/cm3. PES emits short-wavelength light with a 350-nm maximum. By taking into account its emission spectrum, we demonstrate that its effective refractive index is 1.74. Light yield distributions generated by 137Cs and 207Bi radioactive sources were obtained. PES has a light yield that is 2.21 times that of poly (ethylene terephthalate), and 0.31 times that of poly (ethylene naphthalate). The energy response to 5486 keV alpha particles emitted from 241Am was 546±81 keV electron equivalents (keVee), while the energy resolution was 17.0±0.1%. The energy response to 6118 keV alpha particles emitted from 252Cf was 598±83 keVee, while the energy resolution was 16.0±0.1%. Overall, PES has potential for use as a scintillation material in radiation detection.