Polymer Composites for Radiation Detection: Di-iodobenzene and light emitting polymer molecular solutions for gamma detection

Conjugated polymers are largely intact by gamma exposure but can be energized in the presence of high-Z compounds. The resulting alteration of the polymer's high optical density and photoluminescence efficiency can be exploited for the detection of gamma radiation with high sensitivity. Di-iodobenzene and conjugated polymers mix on the molecular level in solid thin films. Composite films of various thicknesses were conveniently cast from solution and exposed to gamma radiation. The responses of the films to gamma dosage were observed with dramatic changes in ultraviolet-visible absorption and photoluminescence. (authors)