Spatially nanoconfined N-type polymer semiconductors for stretchable ultrasensitive X-ray detection

Nat Commun. 2022 Nov 22;13(1):7163. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-34968-1.

Abstract

Polymer semiconductors are promising candidates for wearable and skin-like X-ray detectors due to their scalable manufacturing, adjustable molecular structures and intrinsic flexibility. Herein, we fabricated an intrinsically stretchable n-type polymer semiconductor through spatial nanoconfinement effect for ultrasensitive X-ray detectors. The design of high-orientation nanofiber structures and dense interpenetrating polymer networks enhanced the electron-transporting efficiency and stability of the polymer semiconductors. The resultant polymer semiconductors exhibited an ultrahigh sensitivity of 1.52 × 104 μC Gyair-1 cm-2, an ultralow detection limit of 37.7 nGyair s-1 (comparable to the record-low value of perovskite single crystals), and polymer film X-ray imaging was achieved at a low dose rate of 3.65 μGyair s-1 (about 1/12 dose rate of the commercial medical chest X-ray diagnosis). Meanwhile, the hybrid semiconductor films could sustain 100% biaxial stretching strain with minimal degeneracy in photoelectrical performances. These results provide insights into future high-performance, low-cost e-skin photoelectronic detectors and imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Polymers* / chemistry
  • Radiography
  • Semiconductors*
  • Skin
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Polymers