Defect-resistant plastic scintillation radiation detector compositions and fabrication methods

A method of forming a scintillating plastic resistant to crazing and fogging, the method comprising:

• creating a homogenous mixture of precursor materials, the homogenous mixture comprising:
• one or more primary polymers or monomers present in an amount ranging from about 40 wt % to about 99 wt %;
• one or more secondary polymers or monomers present in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 60 wt %, wherein the one or more secondary polymers or monomers comprise a cross-linker;
• and
• one or more fluors present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt %;
• and
• polymerizing the homogenous mixture, wherein the polymerizing comprises:
• incubating the homogenous mixture at a temperature of approximately 60° C. for a period of approximately 1 day;
• incubating the homogenous mixture at a temperature of approximately 65° C. for a period of approximately 1 day;
• and
• incubating the homogenous mixture at a temperature of approximately 70° C. for a period of approximately 4 days.

A method, comprising:

• exposing a scintillating plastic to one or more extreme environmental conditions for at least two hours without generating crazing or fogging within the scintillating plastic;
• and
• wherein the extreme environmental conditions comprise:
• a temperature swing of about 20° C. or more;
• and exposure to humidity in an amount of about 70% or more.

A scintillating plastic resistant to crazing and fogging, the scintillating plastic comprising:

• one or more primary polymers present in an amount ranging from about 40 wt % to about 95 wt %;
• one or more secondary polymers present in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 60 wt %;
• and
• one or more fluors present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt %;
• and
• wherein the one or more fluors comprise 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin (MDAC).