Dual-valence Ce doped UV-shielding glasses with high transparency and stability

Abstract On account the urgent demand for UV radiation protection in diverse applications, intensive efforts have been devoted to UV-shielding materials, ranging from wide-bandgap semiconductors to organo-inorganic composite films. However, they constantly suffer from insufficient stability, complex preparation and low transparency in visible region. Here, we report a new UV-shielding inorganic robust glasses through manipulating valence of cerium. Via conventional melt-quenching method, dual valence Ce-doped aluminoborate glasses were successfully prepared in air atmosphere. By taking advantage of the co-absorption of Ce3+ and Ce4+, glass samples present prominent UV-absorbing capability in UVA, UVB and UVC region, and they are highly transparent in the visible-wavelength region. More importantly, compared with current UV resistant organic-inorganic films, glass samples still maintain excellent UV protection ability and high transparency after surviving 120 h in harsh environment, including high temperature, acid and alkaline environment. These results indicate that dual valence Ce-doped glasses, with high anti-UV ability, good visible transparency and excellent stability, could be excellent UV-shielding materials for diverse environment, such as greenhouse, vehicle windows and museums.