Optimization of the Composition of Nd-Containing Scintillator to Increase Its Light Yield and Stability

Based on Nd(III) 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate and an additional solvent TBP, the composition of a liquid organic scintillator for the determination of double neutrinoless $$\beta$$ decay was developed in LAB. IR spectroscopy has shown that TBP forms additional coordination bonds with neodymium carboxylate and thereby prevents its hydrolysis and polymerization. It has been shown that the optimal method for studying the purity and stability of a scintillator is UV spectrophotometry. The light yield of the scintillator composition [LAB $$+$$ BPO (3 g/L) $$+$$ TBP (6.3 $$\%$$ ) $$+$$ Nd ( $$5.9\pm 0.2$$ g/L)] is 78 $$\%$$ relative to the scintillator [LAB $$+$$ BPO (3 g/L)].