Abstract
Zero-dimensional (0D) scintillation materials have drawntremendousattention due to their inherent advantages in the fabrication of flexiblehigh-energy radiation scintillation screens by solution processes.Although considerable progress has been made in the development of0D scintillators, such as the current leading lead-halide perovskitenanocrystals and quantum dots, challenges still persist, includingpotential issues with self-absorption, air stability, and eco-friendliness.Here, we present a strategy to overcome those limitations by synthesisand self-assembly of a new class of scintillators based on metal nanoclusters.We demonstrate the gram-scale synthesis of an atomically precise nanoclusterwith a Cu-Au alloy core exhibiting high phosphorescence quantumyield, aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) behavior, andintense radioluminescence. By controlling solvent interactions, theAIEE-active nanoclusters were self-assembled into submicron sphericalsuperparticles in solution, which we exploited as a novel buildingblock for flexible particle-deposited scintillation films with high-resolutionX-ray imaging performance. This work reveals metal nanoclusters andtheir self-assembled superstructures as a promising class of scintillatorsfor practical applications in high-energy radiation detection andimaging.