Atomically Precise Coinage Metal Cluster: A Promising Class of Scintillators for High-Resolution X-Ray Imaging

X-ray detection technology utilizing scintillators is pivotal across various applications, including medical diagnostics and industrial inspections. Recently, metal clusters have emerged as a novel class of scintillator materials, demonstrating promising potential in X-ray imaging due to their superior X-ray absorption capabilities, tunable optical properties, and excellent stability against moisture and oxygen. This review addresses the current lack of comprehensive evaluations in the domain of coinage metal cluster scintillators. It begins with an in-depth analysis of the underlying mechanisms and critical performance parameters of these scintillators. Subsequently, effective strategies to enhance scintillation performance are systematically summarized. The review also delves into various preparation methods for metal cluster scintillator screens. Lastly, it identifies the opportunities and challenges that the field currently faces. This review aims to serve as a theoretical foundation and a methodological guide for future studies focused on the structural design and performance optimization of coinage metal cluster scintillators, advancing X-ray imaging technologies to address application challenges in this evolving field.