RF-sputtered boron carbide thin film for UVB and UVC shielding: a greener approach

The paper reports the development of RF sputtered boron carbide coatings as refractory and UV-shielder for high-temperature goggles and spacecraft applications. The advancement in the design and fabrication of machinery and UV optics necessitates the development of low-cost, eco-friendly preparation of wear-resistant refractory coatings with strong absorption in the UV region. Boron carbide coatings have proven their potential as abrasives besides their electronic applications. In the present work, boron carbide coatings are prepared by RF sputtering technique using the target prepared by low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis using cotton as carbon precursor. The sample synthesized and the film prepared are subjected to structure, morphological, and optical characterizations. The X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, micro-Raman and X-ray photoelectron studies confirm the formation of boron-rich boron carbide with the thermal stability of 87% at 800 °C, revealed through the thermogravimetric analysis. The Tauc plot analysis gives the bandgap energy of the boron carbide target and film as 2.66 eV and 2.70 eV, respectively. The UV–Vis spectroscopic study also reveals the potential of the sample and the film in blocking UVB and UVC. The CIE plot from the photoluminescence study suggests the sample to be a blue light emitter.