Silica-Shell Encapsulated Scintillating Microparticles

The patent creates a composite microparticle structure with a polymer core containing scintillator molecules and a silica shell coating. This composite structure combines the scintillation properties of the polymer core with the hydrophilic surface properties of the silica shell, resolving the contradiction between maintaining scintillation function and achieving hydrophilicity for aqueous media compatibility.

The silica shell acts as a thin film coating on the polymer core, providing a hydrophilic surface that prevents aggregation and floatation while allowing the underlying polymer core to maintain its scintillation function. The shell thickness can be controlled to balance surface properties with core functionality.

The silica shell is incorporated into the microparticle structure during the initial synthesis process rather than being added as a separate post-processing step. This preliminary action allows surface functional groups to be introduced during shell formation, reducing subsequent modification steps and saving time while maintaining versatility.

The silica shell surface can be functionalized with various groups (e.g., amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl) during the coating process, providing universal functionality for different applications. This multi-functional surface can accommodate diverse probe attachments without requiring separate processing steps for each application type.