DOE OSTI · 3017260
Enhancing X-ray Sensitivity via the Antenna Effect in Quantum Shells with Multiexciton Emission
Abstract
Quantum shells (QSs) with efficient multiexciton emission can generate multiple excitons per particle under high-energy excitation, thereby improving exciton utilization under intense X-ray exposure and offering strong potential for X-ray-based scintillation applications. However, these QSs are typically composed of low-atomic-number (Z) elements, which substantially limits their X-ray absorption efficiency and leads to poor X-ray sensitivity. Here, we overcome this fundamental limitation by introducing a high-Z antenna-sensitization strategy that couples QSs to heavy-element molecular absorbers, which act as X-ray harvesting centers and funnel energy into the QSs via efficient interfacial transfer. By combining enhanced X-ray absorption with efficient interfacial energy transfer and improved exciton utilization, we achieve more than an order-of-magnitude increase in multiexciton-driven QS radioluminescence (RL) relative to pristine shells. Additionally, a high X-ray imaging resolution of 25.2 lp mm –1 was achieved, exceeding the performance of most previously reported X-ray imaging scintillators. These findings offer a promising design strategy for advancing QS-based materials toward high-performance X-ray imaging applications.
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Wang, Jian-Xin [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)] (ORCID:0000000278385575), Nadinov, Issatay [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)] (ORCID:0009000626366029), Waters, Amelia [Bowling Green State Univ., OH (United States)], Thomas, Simil [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)] (ORCID:0000000280694940), Zhu, Xin [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)], Zhou, Renqian [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)], Wu, Wentao [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)], He, Tengyue [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)], Bakr, Osman M. [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)] (ORCID:0000000234281002), Alshareef, Husam N. [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)] (ORCID:0000000150292142), Zamkov, Mikhail [Bowling Green State Univ., OH (United States)] (ORCID:0000000286382972), Malko, Anton V. [Univ. of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (United States)] (ORCID:0000000164107112), Mohammed, Omar F. [King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal (Saudi Arabia)] (ORCID:0000000185001130). 2026-01-20. Enhancing X-ray Sensitivity via the Antenna Effect in Quantum Shells with Multiexciton Emission. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c21745
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