Research Paper: Low-Cost Self-Powered Mesoporous Perovskite Devices for Stable High-Dose-Rate Fast-Response X‑ray Detection
Scientific Summary & Why it Matters
This study introduces novel low-cost, self-powered mesoporous perovskite X-ray detectors (mp-XDs), integrating CsPbI3 and MAPbI3 into a metal-free, multilayered oxide architecture (mp-C/mp-ZrO2/mp-TiO2/c-TiO2/FTO). The main goal was to develop X-ray detectors that overcome the limitations of traditional technologies regarding cost, degradation, and performance. Key findings include a wide operational range for medium/high dose-rate detection (2.4 × 10² to 3.1 × 10⁵ μGyair s⁻¹) and applicability up to 50 keV. The mp-MAPbI3 device demonstrated an excellent rapid response time of 3 ms, crucial for tracking transient X-ray signals. Furthermore, the detectors exhibited impressive stability, cumulating an 18,643 Gy dose over 17 hours at maximum flux without significant device or material degradation, a value far exceeding previously reported stability. Operating at zero bias enhances their practicality, safety, and portability. Numerical modeling identified faster ionic redistribution in mp-MAPbI3, explaining its superior transient current behavior. These advancements make mp-XDs highly promising for demanding applications like FLASH radiotherapy and fusion plasma research, offering a cost-effective (~10-15€/device) and robust alternative to existing technologies.
Publication Details
Alberti, A., Valastro, S., Calogero, G., Mannino, G., Smecca, E., Spampinato, C., Bongiorno, C., Naselli, E., Finocchiaro, G., Pidatella, A., Mascali, D., & La Magna, A. (2025), Low-Cost Self-Powered Mesoporous Perovskite Devices for Stable High-Dose-Rate Fast-Response X‑ray Detection. ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 7, 6428−6439. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaelm.5c00690
Fluxim Tools Used
Setfos was critically employed for advanced transient electrical simulations. Setfos solved the charge transport problem within the drift-diffusion formalism in transient mode, incorporating effects of trapping/detrapping and ion migration. It processed analytically derived X-ray generation rate profiles as a function of depth for different perovskite formulations. A key benefit of Setfos was its ability to provide a fundamental understanding and rationalize the differences in transient current signals between mp-MAPbI3 and mp-CsPbI3, specifically how ionic redistribution and charge collection efficiency influenced performance at varying fluences. This detailed modeling capability allowed for disentangling generation and collection contributions, which is crucial for device optimization and predictive performance.