Stepwise Crystallization of Millimeter Scale Thorium Cluster Single Crystals as a Bifunctional Platform for X-ray...

Monitoring and shielding of X-ray radiation are of paramount importance across diverse fields. However, they are frequently realized in separate protocols and a single material integrating both functions remained elusive. Herein, a hexanuclear cluster [Th₆ (µ₃ -OH)₄ (µ₃ -O)₄ (H₂ O)₆ ](pba)₆ (HCOO)₆ (Th-pba-0D) incorporating high-Z thorium cations and 3-(pyridin-4-yl)benzoate ligands that can function as a brand-new dual-module platform for visible detection and efficient shielding of ionizing radiation is demonstrated. Th-pba-0D exhibits rather unique reversible radiochromism upon alternating X-ray and UV irradiation. Moreover, the millimeter scale crystal size of Th-pba-0D renders the penetration depth of X-ray visible to naked eye and leads to the unearthing of its high X-ray attenuation efficiency. Indeed, the shielding efficacy of Th-pba-0D is comparable to that of lead glass containing 40% PbO, and a Th-pba-0D pellet with a thickness of merely 1.2 mm can shield 99.73% X-ray (16 keV). These studies portend the possible utilization of thorium-bearing materials as a bifunctional platform for radiation detection and shielding.