Open AccessZnO Nanosheets Exhibiting High UV Blocking Efficiency for Effective Application in Sunscreen
Author(s) -
Dojalisa Sahu,
Nihar Ranjan Panda,
Debasrita Dash
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
asian journal of chemistry/asian journal of chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 0975-427X
pISSN - 0970-7077
DOI - 10.14233/ajchem.2020.22726
Subject(s) - wurtzite crystal structure , hexagonal phase , ultraviolet , absorbance , zinc , chemical engineering , chemistry , scanning electron microscope , ammonium hydroxide , porosity , band gap , phase (matter) , nanotechnology , materials science , nuclear chemistry , optoelectronics , inorganic chemistry , chromatography , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanopowder has been prepared by wet chemical method and tested for its effectiveUV blocking property coated on photosensitive paper/fabric samples. Zinc acetate dihydrate andammonium hydroxide were adopted as synthesis precursors. Phase and crystallographic analysis ofthe samples have been carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and show that ZnO sample belong tohexagonal wurtzite phase without any impurity. Surface morphology of ZnO samples studied by fieldemission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) shows the formation of nanosheets with porousstructure. These porous nanosheets have surface area varying from 5000-30000 nm2 with thickness10-15 nm. ZnO nanosheets on the photosensitive paper show UV absorbance around 300 nm as observedfrom the absorption spectrum. The reflectance spectrum of ZnO also shows its effectiveness in reflectingUV light in the region of 350-400 nm. The sun protection factors (SPF) and ultraviolet protection factors(UPF) calculated from the above studies are also encouraging implicating the use of ZnO in sunscreen.The above experiment is carried out by preparing a photosensitive layer similar to human skin. Similarexperiment has also been carried out by treating ZnO nanosheets on fabric samples and studying itseffectiveness for protection from UV rays.