Structural Origins of Scintillation: Metal Organic Frameworks as a Nanolaboratory

Abstract : The limitations of organic scintillatorsnon-proportionality to MeV protons, low luminosity and photon transport, and transportation and safety hazardsimpose severe practical constraints and raise challenges for fast-neutron detection applications requiring their use. The results of this project provide fundamental insight into the electronic and structural features of novel scintillating materials known as metal organic frameworks (MOFs). The properties of MOF, including nanoporosity, ultrahigh surface areas, ion-induced luminescence, and synthetically flexible structure, present unique advantages for radiation detection over existing organic scintillator materials. In addition, MOFs provide a tailorable nanolaboratory for understanding fundamental aspects of the scintillation process in organic-inorganic hybrid scintillators.