Are Inorganic Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals Promising Scintillators?

Abstract

Inspections based on ionizing radiation have spread into various areas including our daily lives, industries, and scientific investigations and now face increasing demands with the development of society. Commercial X-ray detectors are mostly based on an indirect operation model in which the scintillator transforms X-ray photons into visible light and bottom photodiodes convert them into images. Obviously, the performance of the scintillator determines the final imaging properties, and the pursuit of scintillators with superior properties and lower cost is ongoing. Recently, inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) emerged as promising scintillators for X-ray imaging. Here, we make a detailed conclusion of the superiority of PNC scintillators and take a new look at their scintillation performances. Discrepancies are discussed and some suggestions are proposed. Finally, perspectives on future developments, advice to the field, and proposed solutions to the problems toward full device performance and practical applications are provided.