Tritium beta-luminescence in ZnO nanowires

Abstract

This paper reports on the observation of tritium-powered beta-luminescence (BL) in ZnO nanowires (NWs). The ZnO NWs, prepared using standard vapour–liquid–solid growth, were exposed to tritium betas emanating from a tritium gas source over a range of pressures and from a scandium tritide source. BL spectra were measured at room temperature, showing increasing signal strength with increasing tritium pressure and thus beta energy flux. Complementary photoluminescence studies with and without hydrogen impregnation indicate the quenching effect of hydrogen in ZnO NWs and thus reduced emission.