Blended polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate polymers for scintillation base substrates

• Few aromatic ring compounds are suitable fluorescence molecule free scintillation materials.
• We have characterized a 1:1 blend of PET and PEN for use as a scintillation base substrate.
• The blend enhances the two polymers' relative strengths and mitigates the weaknesses.
• The work will stimulate further research into optimized scintillation materials.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) are both good candidates for use as scintillation base substrates. One advantage is their relatively high density of 1.33 g cm−3. To enhance their relative strengths and to mitigate their weaknesses, we blended PET and PEN 1:1 by weight and found that the overall characteristics are improved. The wavelength at maximum emission was 415 nm, the refractive index was 1.61, and the light yield was 0.85 times that of PEN. These results increase the available options for base materials to be used as scintillators.