Preparation of a Polysulfone Composite for Alpha Radiation Detection

Abstract

A polymer composite for alpha radiation detection was prepared by coating a ZnS(Ag) scintillator over a polysulfone (PSF) base layer. The base layer and active ZnS(Ag)layer were formed by the evaporation of a solvent from the solution films of a binary solution of PSF and methylene chloride (MC), and a ternary scintillator paste of PSF, ZnS(Ag), and dimethylformamide (DMF), respectively. Since the scintillator paste was screen-printed without any extra binder on the surface of a solidified base layer, PSF works as a transparent and mechanical support layer as well as a binder for ZnS(Ag) coating, while maintaining the monolithic feature of the composite. The prepared composite was pliable and flexible enough to be rolled up like paper. The alpha detection of the composite was efficient enough to determine the activity of alpha radiation.

KEYWORDS:

• alpha radiation
• detection
• scintillator
• radionuclide
• polysulfone
• ZnS(Ag)