Melt-Preparation of Organic-Inorganic Mn-Based Halide Transparent Ceramic Scintillators for High-Resolution X-ray Imaging

Abstract

High-quality and large-size crystals are ideal scintillation screens to obtain high-resolution X-ray imaging. However, it is difficult to obtain large-size scintillation crystals due to the limitations of crystal growth technology. Here, organic-inorganic hybrid Mn-based single crystal (TBP2MnBr4, TBP = Tetrabutylphosphonium) exhibits high decomposition temperature (295 ℃) and TBP2MnBr4-melt has a low condensation point (48.75 ℃), such a wide interval benefits to the melt processing method for preparing scintillation screens. TBP2MnBr4-melt exhibits low viscosity (𝜂(Tm) = 238 mPa·s) and flow activation energies (Ea = 10.754 kJ/mol) making it easy to crystallization. It is worth noting that the low condensation point (Tc) of TBP2MnBr4-melt is slightly higher than room temperature, this narrow temperature interval can limit the rapid nucleation and growth of the crystals, allowing them to slowly crystallize into transparent ceramics (TC). The circular TBP2MnBr4-TC with a size of Φ 11.5 cm can be easily fabricated, which exhibits high optical transmittance, and realizes high-resolution (16 lp/mm) X-ray imaging. This work brings a new strategy for preparing scintillation screens, as well as promoting the development of TC scintillators for X-ray imaging.