Printable PbO-Based X-Ray Detectors

Direct-conversion X-ray detectors are essential components in a wide range of applications, from medical imaging and industrial quality control to security screening and nuclear safety. Among the candidate materials for such detectors, lead oxide (PbO) is particularly promising due to its high atomic number and large X-ray attenuation coefficient, which allow for thinner detection layers and improved performance at higher photon energies. In this work, we present a novel and costeffective approach for the fabrication of PbO -based direct-conversion detectors for X-ray and soft γ-ray applications. Starting from β-PbO powder, we employed a liquid-assisted ball milling process to promote partial transformation into the α-phase and obtain a nanostructured ink. The resulting ink was deposited onto FTO substrates using the Doctor Blade technique, yielding homogeneous and compact PbO films. SEM and XRD analyses confirmed the crystallinity of α−PbO, with over 97% phase purity. The detector, assembled with gold contacts and integrated onto a PCB, was electrically characterized. It demonstrated stable and reproducible current responses to X-ray irradiation across a range of energies. The transport behavior under varying exposure conditions will be discussed. Overall, this study demonstrates that PbO -based detectors, fabricated through a simple and scalable route, are highly suitable for a variety of X-ray and soft γ-ray detection applications. Their low fabrication cost, compatibility with printing technologies, and reliable performance make them attractive candidates for deployment in flexible, large-area radiation detection systems. especially in the low-energy γ-ray domain (<200keV).