The researchers used a metal oxide to craft the composite glass-based UV absorber.
Beijing: Researchers in China have created a special metal oxide transparent glass that can help protect living cells by absorbing and blocking damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The dangers of UV light prompted scientists from the South China University of Technology to search for versatile materials that block UV and can withstand long radiation exposure times without falling apart.
They demonstrated that the new glass effectively protects living cells and organic dyes, and believe it could also be developed as a transparent shield to protect electronics in space.
The researchers used a metal oxide—cerium (IV) oxide (CeO2)—well known for its ability to absorb UV photons to craft the composite glass-based UV absorber
Other key features of the final composite material are the optical transparency of the glass and the material’s ability to suppress the separation of photo-generated electrons and holes.
This slows down a light-induced reaction that would lead to the ultimate breakdown of the material under prolonged exposure to UV radiation. The method the team developed is based on the self-limited Nan crystallisation of glass.
"Self-limited nano-crystallisation of glass can be achieved by taking advantage of the rigid environment of the solid-state matrix, rather than the conventional solution and vapour conditions to modulate the ionic migration kinetics," said Shifeng Zhou from South China University of Technology.
"It allows us to create glass-ceramics embedded with aCeO2: fluorine (F) nano structure," Zhou added. The group's innovative approach for fabricating the UV absorber has important implications "for the construction of novel glass materials with new functions via micro-structure engineering," researchers said.
Among the group's key discoveries pointed out that the self-limited nano-crystallinization of glass is indeed an effective way to functionalise it.
The special glass they created suppresses photo-catalytic and catalytic activity, while boasting an extremely high UV-absorbing capacity. Potential applications for the group's work include radiation hardening of electronic devices, serving as a biological shield, and preserving cultural artefacts and relics.
The findings were published in the journal Optical Materials Express.
