Multipurpose Transparent Nanocomposites for Gamma Spectroscopy, Pulse Shape Discrimination, Thermal Neutron Detection, Radiation Shielding, and High Refractive Index Applications

Abstract Materials exist that are useful for gamma scintillation, radiation shielding, neutron‐gamma pulse shape discrimination (PSD), thermal neutron detection, or high refractive index applications. While certain materials have exhibited optimal performance for each of these applications, none achieve multiple functions. This work presents a tunable, multipurpose nanocomposite system that may be used for all these applications, with enhanced performance. A sample containing 20 wt.% hafnium oxide nanoparticles and 20 wt.% 9,9‐dimethyl‐9 H ‐fluorene has a gamma light yield of 9782 Ph/MeV. The energy resolution of the hafnium K α escape peak is 9.4% at 607 keV, and the energy resolution of the deconvoluted photopeak is 4.9% at 662 keV. A 5.4 cm thick nanocomposite loaded with 80 wt.% hafnium oxide nanoparticles offers the same stopping power as 4.9 cm of leaded glass at an incident photon energy of 10 MeV, while being transparent and nontoxic. A nanocomposite containing 40 wt.% hafnium oxide nanoparticles, 1 wt.% gadolinium oxide nanoparticles, 2‐(4‐ tert ‐butylphenyl)‐5‐(4‐biphenylyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole, and 1,4‐bis(5‐phenyl‐2‐oxazolyl)benzene can detect high‐energy gamma rays, fast neutrons, and thermal neutrons in a single material. A zirconium oxide nanocomposite sheet has a high refractive index of 1.656.