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 (Li2B4O7)-Li-6-B-10 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 (Li2B4O7)-Li-6-B-10 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 n(thermal)/n(fast)/gamma discrimination is presented with a NP-loaded plastic scintillator, where both Li-6(n,alpha) and B-10(n,alpha) are observed.