La-Tuned Scintillators With Nanosecond Response and High Flexibility for Blur-Free X-Ray Imaging

Abstract

The integration of real-time and flexible imaging has significantly advanced X-ray scintillator imaging technologies. However, combining both functionalities into a single scintillator material remains a fundamental challenge. To address this, we designed a zero-dimensional cerium (III)-based organic-inorganic hybrid halide scintillator, MPH₂CeCl₅·3H₂O (MPH = morpholine), using low-cost solution processing and leveraging Ce (III)'s inherently nanosecond-scale 4f–5d transitions. La³⁺-alloying induced a dual effect, enhancing the photoluminescence quantum yield to 2.75 times the original value while maintaining a short decay time of approximately 22 ns. Combined with heavy-atom effects, this nanosecond-scale decay prompted investigation of X-ray scintillation performance, revealing a respectable light yield of 10,400 photons/MeV and a low detection limit of 96.73 nGy_air/s. By embedding the optimized MPH₂CeCl₅·3H₂O into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), we fabricated a high-performance flexible film that mitigates material hygroscopicity while enabling outstanding flexibility and dynamic imaging capabilities. This film achieved motion-artifact-free dynamic imaging at 100 fps, clearly resolving blades rotating at 560°/s. This work demonstrates Ce (III)-based halide hybrids as promising platforms for advanced medical and industrial imaging, offering high light yield, rapid response, and superior processability.

Keywords

hybrid perovskite / rare earths / scintillator / X-ray imaging

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