A Sers Method For Thermal Neutron Detection

To achieve the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method for thermal neutron detection, 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA), a natural boron-containing and high intrinsic Raman-active compound, was used as a detection material, and after the fission of boron-10(B-10) isotope capturing thermal neutrons, parts of 4-MPBA molecules were converted into thiophenol. Based on SERS substrates of gold nanoshells, the conversion was sensitively quantitative by SERS spectra of the two molecules to indicate the dose of thermal neutrons. The conversion was proportional to the radiation time and reversely proportional to the distance to the radiation source. The detection limit is 5.6Gy and 33.6Gy corresponding to the 4-MPBA adsorbed on solid-phase substrates and dissolved in solvent, respectively. The SERS method for thermal neutron detection would provide a simple and new way for neutrons utilization, administration, and radiation protection.