6Li210B4O7 NPs -loaded plastic scintillators for fast/thermal neutrons and gamma rays detection

We report herein the synthesis of a new series of plastic scintillators (PSs) loaded with 6Li210B4O7 nanoparticles (NPs), as new radioluminescent sensors for fast/thermal neutron and gamma ray detection in the critical context of homeland security. This study aims to evaluate the benefit of such nanoparticles towards thermal neutron detection in a fast neutrons/gamma discriminating PS composition. First, a size-controlled synthesis of Li2B4O7 NPs assited with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) is performed. Then enriched 6Li210B4O7 NPs (65 ± 22 nm) are dispersed in clear PSs mainly composed of polystyrene and standard fluorophores (20 wt% PPO, 0.03 wt% POPOP). For the first time, a triple nthermal/nfast/gamma discrimination is presented with a NP-loaded plastic scintillator, where both 6Li(n,α) and 10B(n,α) are observed.