In the rapidly evolving world of X-ray technology, a groundbreaking development by a research team led by Florida State University’s Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Biwu Ma promises to revolutionize how X-ray detectors are designed and fabricated. Traditionally, X-ray detection relied heavily on single-crystal materials, which—although highly effective—pose significant challenges in terms of scalability, size, and shape customization. Professor Ma and his team have now introduced a novel solution: amorphous zero-dimensional organic metal halide hybrid films (0D OMHHs), an innovative material form that combines adaptability, large-area coverage, and cost-effective production, paving the way for a new generation of X-ray detectors.
X-ray technology has long been synonymous with medical diagnostics, primarily to identify fractures or abnormalities in human bones. However, its applications extend far beyond healthcare. Airports use X-ray detectors to scan luggage for security threats, industrial environments rely on them to inspect structural integrity and materials quality, and scientific fields employ them to explore cosmic phenomena or microstructural properties of substances. Yet, despite this diversity, widespread application has been hindered by the limitations posed by the traditional crystalline detector materials. The challenge lies in manufacturing large-area detectors that maintain high sensitivity and low detection thresholds without becoming prohibitively complex or expensive.
Professor Biwu Ma and his group have addressed this very challenge by moving away from single-crystal frameworks to develop amorphous 0D OMHH thin films. These films, composed of organic and inorganic components chemically bonded in a hybrid architecture, exhibit remarkable flexibility in terms of their shape and size. Unlike rigid crystals, these films can be produced quickly and reliably over large areas, making them highly suitable for diverse applications ranging from medical imaging to cargo inspection. Their work, recently published in the prestigious journal Angewandte Chemie, detailed the synthesis and performance characteristics of these films, highlighting their potential to outperform existing detector materials by a significant margin.
The innovative materials crafted by Ma’s team synergistically marry the properties of two types of components: organic cations that offer a carbon-based backbone and inorganic metal halide units, composed of metals combined with halogen atoms. The zero-dimensional (0D) structure refers to discrete molecular units rather than extended crystal lattices, bestowing these hybrids with unique optoelectronic properties. Traditionally, 0D OMHH single crystals have demonstrated excellent performance in X-ray detection due to their effective conversion of X-rays to electrical signals. However, their production process has been slow, complex, and constrained to relatively small sizes—factors that hindered scalability and customization for practical industrial use.
Recognizing this bottleneck, the team engineered amorphous films—essentially non-crystalline sheets—made of the same fundamental materials but processed to forgo the stringent alignment of atoms seen in crystals. This amorphous structure does not compromise the films’ key performance attributes. On the contrary, these films maintain high sensitivity to X-rays, exhibit low detection limits, and sustain excellent stability under operational conditions. The result is a thin-film detector material that can be manufactured at scale with significant adaptability in geometry and dimensions, unlocking new possibilities for large-scale X-ray imaging.
The practical implications of Ma’s research are vast. In medical diagnostics, for instance, chest X-rays require detectors that can encompass broad anatomical areas to produce high-resolution images critical for accurate diagnoses. Growing single crystals to such sizes is prohibitively challenging, but amorphous 0D OMHH films can be fabricated into millimeter-thin sheets large enough to cover the entire imaging field. Beyond medicine, industries such as cargo screening and food safety inspection—the latter needing rapid, real-time contamination detection—can benefit enormously from detectors that combine wide coverage with sensitive, fast responsive detection.
From a materials science perspective, these films’ ionic bonding between positively charged organic cations and negatively charged metal halide units offers great tunability. This allows engineers to tweak the films’ properties at the molecular level to optimize performance for specific applications. Their versatility extends beyond X-ray detection, with earlier studies confirming their efficacy in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and anti-counterfeiting technologies. The current work thus consolidates 0D OMHHs as a multifunctional platform primed for optoelectronic innovations.
The transition to amorphous thin films marks a strategic shift in bridging the gap between laboratory-scale material science and real-world industrial applicability. By leveraging solution processing techniques—methods involving dissolving the organic and inorganic components to deposit films on substrates—the team paved the way for repeatable, scalable manufacturing. This technique contrasts starkly with the slow crystal growth methods of the past, drastically reducing production time while enhancing customization potential, critical for applications demanding non-standard detector shapes.
Moreover, the team’s approach could reshape the economics of X-ray detector production. The materials used are relatively low cost, and the solution-processed fabrication is compatible with existing industrial coating and printing technologies. Such compatibility implies that manufacturers can adopt this technology with minimal need for redesigning production lines, accelerating its entrance into markets ranging from healthcare to manufacturing quality assurance.
Recognizing the commercial potential of their breakthrough, Ma and his collaborators have already taken steps to protect their innovation. In April 2025, they filed a provisional patent application titled “Direct X-ray Detectors Based on Solution-Processed Amorphous Zero-Dimensional Organic Metal Halide Hybrid Films.” This patent underscores the transformative potential of the technology and positions the research team well for future partnerships or commercialization efforts.
Beyond patent protection, the broader team behind this advancement includes a diverse array of talented researchers and students. Chemistry doctoral student Oluwadara Olasupo led the publication effort, supported by former and current group members whose interdisciplinary expertise has driven the project forward. Contributions also came from collaborators such as Professor Yan-Yan Hu and Tunde Shonde, a Florida State University alumnus who continues the work at the University of West Florida. The FSU community’s support, including through high school student Ethan Kim’s involvement via the Young Scholars Program, reflects an inclusive research effort spanning educational levels.
Financial backing for the research was provided by the National Science Foundation and Florida State University’s Office of Research, illustrating the critical role public and institutional funding play in advancing fundamental science with high societal impact. The research’s successful translation from concept to feasible material technology exemplifies the strength of collaborative and well-supported scientific environments.
Looking forward, the release of this amorphous 0D OMHH film parameter platform could usher in a new era for X-ray detection technologies. Whether in astrophysics for capturing high-fidelity cosmic ray images, in nondestructive industrial testing, or in airport security scanning, the ability to tailor detector size, shape, and performance rapidly and cost-effectively stands to revolutionize the field. As Professor Ma notes, these materials not only push the boundaries of what current X-ray technologies can achieve but also hint at future applications where adaptability and large-area coverage are paramount.
In conclusion, the research led by Biwu Ma marks a significant leap in functional materials for X-ray detection, breaking through long-standing barriers of scalability and manufacturing constraints. By pioneering solution-processed amorphous zero-dimensional organic metal halide hybrid films, the team has devised a new path forward for producing versatile, high-performance large-area detectors. This technological breakthrough holds promise to enhance everything from clinical imaging to industrial safety, potentially redefining standards and capabilities across multiple sectors reliant on X-ray technologies.
Subject of Research: Development of solution-processed amorphous zero-dimensional organic metal halide hybrid films for direct X-ray detection.
Article Title: Solution-Processed Amorphous Zero-Dimensional Organic Metal Halide Hybrid Films for Direct X-Ray Detectors
News Publication Date: 30-Jun-2025
Web References:
- Article DOI: 10.1002/anie.202509589
- Florida State University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry: chem.fsu.edu
- Related Research News: FSU Scientists Develop High-Impact Materials for Optoelectronic Technologies
References:
Ma, B. et al. “Solution-Processed Amorphous Zero-Dimensional Organic Metal Halide Hybrid Films for Direct X-Ray Detectors,” Angewandte Chemie, 2025.
Image Credits: Devin Bittner/FSU College of Arts and Sciences
Keywords
Materials engineering, X-ray detection, zero-dimensional organic metal halide hybrids, amorphous thin films, optoelectronics, scalable fabrication, large-area detectors, solution processing, medical imaging technology, industrial inspection
