Hydrogels for isotopic neutron emitters and antineutrino detection and related detection systems and methods

A detection system comprising:

• an enclosure, at least one photomultiplier tube, and a hydrogel in proximity to the at least one photomultiplier tube, the hydrogel of the detection system configured to detect neutron or antineutrino radiation, the hydrogel comprising:
• water, a gadolinium compound, and a scintillation compound homogeneously dispersed in a polymer matrix, the scintillation compound comprising:
• strontium diiodide, fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium (Ir(ppy)3), a quinine compound, or combinations thereof;
• or
• 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5 phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-(4-phenylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (b-PBD), 2,5-diphenyl oxazole (PPO), 1,4-bis(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl) benzene (POPOP), or combinations thereof.

A method of detecting radiation emitting from an article, comprising:

• interacting neutrons or antineutrinos emitted from an article with a hydrogel of a detection system, the hydrogel comprising:
• water, a gadolinium compound, and a scintillation compound homogeneously dispersed in a polymer matrix, the scintillation compound comprising:
• strontium diiodide, fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium (Ir(ppy)3), a quinine compound, or combinations thereof;
• or
• 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5 phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-(4-phenylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (b-PBD), 2,5-diphenyl oxazole (PPO), 1,4-bis(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl) benzene (POPOP), or combinations thereof;
• and
• detecting the neutrons or antineutrinos.