Optimizing the UV Absorption and Suspension Stability of ZnO Nanostructures Using the Chemical Precipitation Method

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 a) Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), P. O. Box: 15875‑4413, Tehran, Iran. b) Graphene and Advanced Materials Laboratory (GAMLab), Amirkabir University of

2 Department of Inorganic Pigments and Glazes, Institute for Color Science and Technology, P. O. Box: 16765-654, Tehran‎‏,‏ Iran

3 Department of Inorganic Pigments and Glazes, Institute for Color Science and Technology, P. O. Box: 16765-654, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This research addresses the long-standing challenge in the cosmetic industry by producing a chemically pure zinc oxide (ZnO) powder with an appropriate morphology and size, excellent ultraviolet (UV) absorption, and high suspension stability. Here, a zinc oxide nanostructure (ZnO-NS) was synthesized using a modified chemical precipitation method, varying parameters such as temperature (25°C and 80°C), stirring time (1 and 4 h), molar ratio of sodium hydroxide to zinc nitrate (4:1 and 1:1), the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a capping agent, and the different order of adding ingredients (addition route). Various characterization techniques, including XRD, FE-SEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, were employed. Morphologies observed were spherical, acicular, plate-like, and flower-like, with average dimensions ranging from 30 to 100 nm. It was found that, in the absence of a capping agent, the anisotropic flower-like structure with acicular petals provided the best suspension stability over 10 days, while plate-like morphology demonstrated the highest UV absorption. Notably, the EDTA-free sample ON25(4)-1 exhibited a nanostructured, plate-like morphology, acceptable suspension stability after 10 days, and achieved 84% UV absorbance at 370 nm. This sample demonstrates strong potential to address the challenges in sunscreen products.

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Main Subjects

Progress in Color, Colorants and Coatings

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 September 2026

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