Glass composite as robust UV absorber for biological protection

Abstract

UV-blocking materials are increasingly important in a variety of applications such as biological shield, cultural relics preservation and radiation hardening of electronic devices. A paramount challenge is the search for approaches that can produce material candidates combing both high ultraviolet absorbing capacity and low activity. Here we introduce an effective self-limited nanocrystallization method for construction of transparent Ce-containing glass composite. The unique crystallization process allows the in situ precipitation of UV absorbing center spanning a wide range of activation temperature, benefiting from the capability of viscous glassy matrix for modulating O2- and F- migrations. Photocatalysis/catalysis and UV-shielding tests firmly demonstrated that the obtained glass composite possesses suppressed photocatalytic/catalytic activity and excellent UV-blocking performance for both organics and bioactive cells. Our results suggest an innovative approach for fabrication of robust UV absorber that should find practical applications in protection of living creatures or cultural relics, especially in the case of direct contact with organic molecules or living cells.