Boric Acid-Derived Carbon Dot Scintillators for X-ray Imaging
Lihui Hou1, Xuhui Xu2, Siqi Li3
1College of Materials and Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, School of Nuclear Technology and Automation Engineering, Nuclear Technology Key Laboratory of Earth Science Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China.
Nano Letters
|December 30, 2025
Summary
Metal-free carbon dots (CDs) now function as X-ray detectors. Engineered with boric acid, these CDs offer high sensitivity and stability for real-time imaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Radiological Physics
Background:
- Conventional carbon dots (CDs) show minimal radioluminescence (RL) under ambient conditions, limiting their use in X-ray detection.
- Developing efficient and stable scintillators for X-ray imaging is crucial for medical diagnostics and interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a metal-free carbon dot (CD) scintillator with enhanced radioluminescence for X-ray detection.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of matrix rigidification and defect engineering on CD scintillation properties.
Main Methods:
- Compositing methoxyquinoline derivatives with boric acid (BA) to create a rigid matrix and introduce defect engineering in CDs.
- Characterizing the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), detection limit, stability, and operating temperature range of the engineered CDs.
- Evaluating biocompatibility (hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility) and performance in 3D printed phantoms for X-ray visualization.
Main Results:
- The engineered CD scintillator achieved a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 43.92% and a low detection limit of 107 nGy s-1.
- The material demonstrated excellent stability, retaining >90% intensity after 90 cycles, and operated effectively up to 180 °C.
- Demonstrated real-time X-ray visualization of iohexol flow and laser-ablation margins with 0.8 mm spatial resolution in phantom studies.
Conclusions:
- A novel metal-free CD scintillator was successfully developed through synergistic matrix rigidification and defect engineering.
- The developed material exhibits promising properties for low-dose, image-guided interventions, offering a new platform for dynamic imaging and real-time radiation detection.
