Transparent oxyhalide glass-ceramic scintillators containing lead-free chloride perovskite nanocrystals for high-resolution and stable X-ray imaging
Lead-free halide perovskites are promising scintillators due to strong X-ray attenuation and high internal quantum efficiency (IQE), but their application is hindered by moisture sensitivity. Here, CsSrCl3:Eu2+ nanocrystals were grown in situ in a specially designed inorganic glass matrix. By employing [PO4]-modification and controlled crystallization, a transparent CsSrCl3:Eu2+ glass-ceramic (GC) scintillator was obtained, combining high crystallinity (15.9%) with excellent optical transparency (85.3% at 432 nm). The GC exhibits outstanding photoluminescence (PL) performance, including a high IQE of 87.6% and superior thermal stability (74% intensity retention at 493 K relative to 303 K). Benefiting from the robust glass matrix, the GC retains 99% of its initial PL intensity after 14 days of water immersion. Under X-ray excitation, it shows blue X-ray excited luminescence (XEL), with peak and integrated intensities reaching 117% and 25.1% of those of Bi4Ge3O12 crystal, respectively. The scintillator achieves a high spatial resolution of 20 lp mm−1 and an X-ray detection limit of 3.7 μGy s−1. Furthermore, it demonstrates exceptional operational stability in humid environments, maintaining clear X-ray image contrast even after 48 h of water submersion. This study provides an effective strategy for stabilizing hygroscopic halide scintillators in a durable [PO4]-modified fluoroaluminate glass matrix and demonstrates the potential of CsSrCl3:Eu2+ GC for high-resolution and stable X-ray imaging.