Cu(I) Halide Cluster Scintillators’ Radiographic Imaging of Energetic Materials

Abstract X-ray imaging is vital for the nondestructive inspection of energetic materials, enabling internal structural analysis and defect detection through the deep penetration of X-rays. Scintillators with different emission characteristics were investigated for X-ray imaging performance. Herein, we report five Cu(I) halide cluster scintillators with tunable emissions across the visible region. Among them, Cu4I4(C72H60P4) exhibits a low X-ray detection limit of 19.19 nGy s–1 and a high light yield of 49,011 photons MeV–1, together with excellent thermal and environmental stability. These scintillators enable high-resolution imaging of cracks, compositional inhomogeneity, and thickness variations in energetic materials. Scintillators with different emission colors were further used to image four energetic material pellets with different compositions, all yielding clear internal images. This work provides an economical and environmentally friendly approach for the nondestructive inspection of energetic materials.