Improving the Sunscreen Properties of TiO2 through an Understanding of Its Catalytic Properties

Morsella, Michela; d�Alessandro, Nicola; Lanterna, Anabel E.; Scaiano, Juan C.

Abstract

The use of particulate titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an active sunscreen ingredient has raised concerns about potential risks from TiO2-mediated free radical formation. To date, remediation attempts have concentrated on reducing the yield of free radical generation by TiO2 upon sunlight exposure. The problem with this approach is that given the band gap in TiO2, production of radical and the ensuing reactive oxygen species (ROS) is completely normal. Our strategy is based on a nontoxic, biocompatible shell that neutralizes the free radicals by scavenging them with natural antioxidants before they exit the particle. The new lignin@TiO2 composites preserve the scattering and absorption properties of TiO2 because the particles retain their nanoscale dimensions as preferred by the cosmetic industry. Although the target properties for photocatalysis and sun-protection applications are opposite, we argue that exactly the same knowledge is required to optimize either one.

Citation

Morsella, M., d’Alessandro, N., Lanterna, A. E., & Scaiano, J. C. (2016). Improving the Sunscreen Properties of TiO2 through an Understanding of Its Catalytic Properties. ACS Omega, 1(3), 464-469. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.6b00177

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 13, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Sep 23, 2016
• Publication Date: Sep 30, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jun 22, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 30, 2020
• Journal: ACS Omega
• Electronic ISSN: 2470-1343
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 464-469
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.6b00177
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4701547
• Publisher URL: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.6b00177
• Additional Information: ACS Omega 2016, 1, 3, 464–469; Publication Date:September 23, 2016; https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.6b00177; Copyright © 2016 American Chemical Society