Publications Details

Scintillating metal-organic frameworks: A new class of radiation detection materials

Doty, F.P.; Bauer, C.A.; Skulan, A.J.; Grant, P.G.; Allendorf, M.D.

A study proposed that metal-organic frameworks (MOF) can potentially offer the desired level of structural control, leading to the formation of a new class of radiation detection materials. It was found that the rigid structure of MOFs can create permanent nonporosity. It was demonstrated permanent nonporosity has the potential for gas storage,separations, catalysis, and sensing. It was demonstrated that this feature of MOFs can be beneficial in scintillation materials, enabling MOFs to serve as hosts for wavelength shifters, or elements designed to improve the detection cross-section. It was observed that MOFs, along with scintillation materials, present significant opportunity to perform crystal engineering, creating the potential for rational design of new scintillation materials. Spectroscopic measurements of these MOFs, using single crystals demonstrated that they respond to ionizing radiation by emitting light, creating a new class of scintillation materials.