AsianScientist (Feb. 3, 2016) – A group of researchers in China has developed a nanocrystallization method to create transparent, glass-based materials with UV-absorbing power and long lifetimes.
In space, the level of UV radiation from the sun can damage sensitive electronics aboard in-flight spacecraft. The dangers of UV light have prompted scientists to search for versatile materials that block UV rays and can withstand long radiation exposure times without falling apart. They describe their results in Optical Materials Express.
The researchers used a metal oxide, cerium (IV) oxide (CeO2), which is well known for its ability to absorb UV photons, to craft the composite glass-based UV absorber.
A key feature of the final composite material is that it effectively slows down a light-induced reaction that would lead to the ultimate breakdown of the material under prolonged exposure to UV radiation.
“Our glass shows excellent optical quality, and it can be easily fabricated either in bulk form or as a film,” said Zhou Shifeng from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology in Guangzhou.
“In space, the high-energy radiation environment encountered by electronic equipment aboard spacecraft can be quite damaging. Fortunately, in the future, if you add a radiation-blocking coating onto the surface of the package—a transparent glass/polymer material—the device would be well protected, and its service lifetime may be prolonged.”
Besides electronics, the special glass may also shield living cells from UV-induced damage, he added.
Going forward, the group plans to focus their efforts on developing other novel and effective glass-based UV absorbers, using this ‘self-limited nanocrystallization’ method they invented.
“We’ll explore ways for large-scale fabrication of this type of film, which is extremely important for practical applications,” said Zhou.
“Our group will also further study the functionalization of glass based on its microstructure engineering, because we believe this fundamental research may have great significance for the glass industry.”
The article can be found at: Zheng et al. (2016) Glass Composite as Robust UV Absorber for Biological Protection.
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Source: The Optical Society; Photo: Sam Churchill/Flickr/CC.
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