# US 12,215,261 B2 · Boron nitride-phosphor composites, systems, and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,261 B2 - Document ID: US12215261B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/059,711 - Filed: 2022-11-29 - Published: 2023-06-01 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-11-30 - Assignees: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc. - Applicants: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc. - Inventors: Zhibin Yu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215261B2 ## CPC - C09K 11/02: Use of particular materials as binders, particle coatings or suspension media therefor - C08K 3/38: Boron-containing compounds - C08K 7/00: Use of ingredients characterised by shape - C09K 11/025: {non-luminescent particle coatings or suspension media} - C09K 11/06: containing organic luminescent materials - G01T 3/06: with scintillation detectors - C08K 2003/385: {Binary compounds of nitrogen with boron} - C08K 2201/011: Nanostructured additives - C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) - G01T: MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION (radiation analysis of materials, mass spectrometry G01N23/00; tubes for determining the presence, intensity, density or energy of radiation or particles H01J47/00) ## Abstract Composite materials that include a phosphor and boron nitride particles. The composite materials may be scintillating materials. The boron nitride particles may be 10B enriched particles. Systems that include composite materials and a detector. Methods of detecting or blocking neutrons. Methods of manufacturing composite materials, including large-area composite materials. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A composite material comprising: a matrix comprising a phosphor; and particles of boron nitride dispersed in the matrix; wherein the particles of boron nitride comprise boron nitride nanotubes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composite material of claim 1, wherein the particles of boron nitride are 10B enriched particles of boron nitride. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The composite material of claim 1, wherein the particles of boron nitride are evenly dispersed in the matrix. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The composite material of claim 1, wherein the composite material is in the form of a film. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The composite material of claim 4, wherein the film has a thickness of about 25 μm to about 250 μm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The composite material of claim 1, wherein the phosphor comprises a polymeric phosphor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The composite material of claim 6, wherein the phosphor further comprises phosphor particles dispersed in the polymeric phosphor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The composite material of claim 1, wherein the phosphor comprises phosphor particles. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The composite material of claim 8, wherein the matrix further comprises a non-phosphor polymeric material, and the phosphor particles are dispersed in the non-phosphor polymeric material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The composite material of claim 1, wherein the particles of boron nitride are present at an amount of at least 5%, by weight, based on the weight of the composite material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method of neutron blocking or detection, the method comprising: providing the composite material of claim 1; and arranging the composite material at a location to capture at least a portion of any thermal neutrons that are present or released at the location. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the composite material is in the form of a film having a thickness of about 25 μm to about 250 μm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the composite material is configured to capture at least 80% of thermal neutrons that enter the composite material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing a detector configured to detect light emitted by the composite material; and detecting with the detector light emitted by the composite material upon capture of the at least a portion of the thermal neutrons. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A system for neutron detection, the system comprising: a scintillator device comprising the composite material of claim 1; and a detector positioned to detect light emitted by the composite material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the detector comprises a photomultiplier tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, further comprising a high voltage divider, a pulse amplifier, a pulse discriminator, a digital counter, a multichannel analyzer, a coincidence circuit, a display, a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions, a processor, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 18 A method of forming a composite material, the method comprising: disposing a phosphor and particles of boron nitride in a liquid, wherein the particles of boron nitride comprise boron nitride nanotubes; and removing at least a portion of the liquid to form the composite material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising disposing the composite material in a mold. ### Claim 20 A composite material comprising: a matrix comprising a phosphor; and particles of boron nitride dispersed in the matrix; wherein the particles of boron nitride are 10B enriched; wherein the particles of boron nitride comprise boron nitride nanotubes; wherein the composite material is in the form of a film having a thickness of about 25 μm to about 250 μm; and wherein the particles of boron nitride are present at an amount of about 0.1% to about 70%, by weight, based on the weight of the composite material.