Quantum-Dot-Doped Lead Halide Perovskites for Ionizing Radiation Detection

High-performance scintillators are essential for medical imaging, security, high-energy physics, and other fields. Lead halide perovskites are attractive materials for ionizing radiation detection due to their high X-ray absorption, defect tolerance, and high charge carrier mobility. Today’s scintillator materials are expensive, typically grown as single crystals at high temperatures, whereas perovskites can be processed in solution at low temperatures, allowing for scalable, low-cost, large-area devices. We synthesize infrared-bandgap quantum-dot-doped perovskites that leverage the exceptional optoelectronic properties of perovskites and the bright emission of quantum dots for radiation detection. Complete attenuation of X-rays with energies of ≤40 keV within 2 mm of material followed by efficient charge transfer to quantum dots for near-infrared emission was demonstrated. The dependence of the scintillated light properties on quantum-dot loads ranging from 0.01% to 1.0% was studied. A light yield of 37 400 ± 2500 photons MeV–1 at room temperature was achieved, signaling the usefulness of perovskites as cost-effective, scalable, efficient scintillators.