Development of flexible scintillation sensors based on Ag and Gd doped CdWO4 nanocomposites

In this work, CdWO4 (CWO), CWO: Ag, and CWO: Gd nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a simple method. Incorporation of the prepared NPs in a polymeric matrix (Polyester) developed a highly luminescent and ionizing ray nanocomposite sensor. Results from XRD, XPS, FE-SEM and EDAX, verified the successful synthesize of pure and doped CWO nanoparticles with the mean size of approximately 50–70 nm. The luminescence properties of the synthesized NPs were examined under UV and ion-beam excitation. CWO: Ag nanoparticles exhibited the most intense emission in the blue-green range compared to the CWO and CWO: Gd samples. The scintillation response of the prepared composite films against alpha irradiation (241Am source) was studied. The highest absolute efficiency (ε) was obtained for CWO: Ag composite film (58.18%) which has promising applications in flexible and transparent optical detectors. [Display omitted] •CWO, CWO: Ag+, and CWO: Gd3+ phosphors synthesized by a simple method.•Incorporation of the prepared NPs into a polymeric matrix developed a highly luminescent sensor.•Prepared films can be suitable candidates for optical applications.