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The precise detection of nuclear radiation and particles is vital for the safe, efficient operation of nuclear energy systems. The generation of radionuclides in nuclear reactors is first reviewed, followed by a discussion on matter-radiation interactions involving alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron particles. Traditional scintillators and semiconductor detectors are analyzed in terms of resolution, decay time, and operational performance. The urgent demand for next-generation nuclear radiation detectors has spurred intense research into novel scintillating materials. This review presents recent advances in materials designed for next-generation scintillators, with a special focus on flexible electronics and metamaterials. It explores the recent advances in cutting-edge material platforms, quantum dots (QDs), halide perovskites, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), two-dimensional (2D) hybrid materials, flexible electronics, and metamaterials as emerging contenders for radiation detection, particularly in nuclear applications. Halide perovskites offer high-Z elements and high light yields of more than 40,000 Ph/MeV for gamma spectroscopy. QDs provide tunable emission even less than 450 nm and fast response in nanoseconds, suitable for compact, flexible designs. MOFs exhibit tunable porosity and electronic structure, enabling selective radiation sensing. 2D materials, with a wide bandgap of approximately 6 eV, display unique excitonic properties and ultrafast charge transport, crucial for thin-film scintillators. Metamaterials, with engineered optical properties, introduce new pathways for enhancing photon–matter interactions. Coupled with flexible substrates, these platforms pave the way for highly adaptable radiation detection systems. Future perspectives offer a roadmap toward flexible electronics and metamaterials-based scintillators for homeland security, nuclear safety, and nuclear energy applications.
Asghar et al. (Fri,) studied this question.