Zinc oxide CAS 1314-13-2

1. What is Zinc Oxide?

Zinc oxide , also known as zinc oxide , is an inorganic compound composed of zinc and oxygen elements.

Its chemical formula is:

ZnOZnO

Zinc oxide is typically a white powder , odorless or nearly odorless, insoluble in water but soluble in acids and strong alkalis. It is a very stable inorganic material with good covering power, adsorption capacity, UV resistance, antibacterial properties, and semiconductor characteristics.

From an industrial and food application perspective, zinc oxide can be divided into several grades, such as:

· Food-grade Zinc oxide

· Pharmaceutical grade Zinc oxide

· Cosmetic grade Zinc oxide

· Rubber grade Zinc oxide

· Ceramic grade Zinc oxide

· Electronic grade Zinc oxide

· Industrial grade Zinc oxide

Different grades of zinc oxide vary in purity, particle size, heavy metal limits, impurity control, and application standards. Food-grade products typically have stricter requirements and are mainly used in scenarios related to human nutritional supplementation.

What are the uses of Zinc Oxide?

In the food and fortification industry, food-grade zinc oxide is often used as:

· Zinc fortifier

· Dietary supplement raw materials

· Fortify zinc sources in food

· Micronutrient additives in animal nutrition

1. Fortified foods and dietary supplements

Food-grade zinc oxide can be added as a zinc source to some fortified foods or dietary supplements. For example:

· Multivitamin and mineral tablets

· Zinc supplements

· Children's nutritional supplements

· Special dietary foods

· Fortified cereal foods

· Nutritional powder or meal replacement products

In these products, zinc oxide does not serve to provide color or flavor, but rather to supplement the zinc element needed by the human body.

2. Sunscreen and skincare products

Zinc oxide is a very important ingredient in the cosmetics industry, especially in physical sunscreens .

Zinc oxide helps protect the skin from UVA and UVB damage by reflecting, scattering, and absorbing ultraviolet rays. Therefore, it is used in many sunscreens, sun lotions, and sun creams.

Common products include:

· Physical sunscreen

· Sunscreen products for infants and young children

· Sunscreen products for sensitive skin

· Outdoor sports sun protection products

· Foundation, sunscreen

Compared to some chemical sunscreens, zinc oxide is generally considered to be milder, and therefore is often used in sunscreens for sensitive skin or children.

3. Baby diaper rash cream and skin care products

Zinc oxide is also commonly found in baby diaper rash creams, skin protectants, and some topical ointments.

It can form a protective film on the skin's surface, helping to isolate urine, sweat, and friction irritation, and is therefore commonly used for:

· Baby diaper rash cream

· Diaper rash care cream

· Skin barrier repair cream

· Anti-itch care products

· Topical skin protectant

Zinc oxide in these products mainly functions as a protectant, mask, absorbent, and soothing agent.

4. Toothpaste and oral care products

Some oral care products may also contain zinc oxide or related zinc compounds. Zinc can help control bad breath and, to some extent, inhibit bacterial growth.

The products that may be involved include:

· toothpaste

· mouthwash

· Oral freshening products

· Dental materials

However, different brands and formulations use different zinc compounds, and zinc oxide is just one possible form.

5. Rubber products and tires

In the industrial sector, zinc oxide is a very important additive in rubber manufacturing. Many rubber products we encounter daily may use zinc oxide in their production process.

For example:

· Car tires

· bicycle tires

· rubber soles

· rubber sealing ring

· rubber gloves

· Industrial rubber hoses

It can improve the properties of rubber:

· Tensile strength

· elasticity

· abrasion resistance

· Heat resistance

· Aging resistance

· Processing stability

In the rubber vulcanization process, zinc oxide is usually used as a vulcanization activator , which can improve the elasticity, strength, abrasion resistance and aging resistance of rubber.

6. Ceramics, glass, and coatings

Zinc oxide is also frequently used in the ceramics, glass, and coatings industries. It can improve the gloss, whiteness, weather resistance, and chemical stability of materials.

Common applications include:

· Ceramic glaze

· Glassware

· White pigment

· Anti-corrosion coatings

· Architectural Coatings

· Wood coatings and industrial coatings

It helps improve the product:

· gloss

· Whiteness

· thermal stability

· Chemical stability

· Glazed texture

Therefore, it is often used in architectural ceramics, daily-use ceramics, art ceramics, and special glass.

Traditionally, zinc oxide, also known as "zinc white," was widely used in the field of white pigments.

7. Pharmaceuticals and topical preparations

Pharmaceutical-grade zinc oxide is widely used in topical skin care and pharmaceutical excipients.

It is commonly found in:

· Zinc oxide ointment

· Skin protectant

· Astringent topical preparations

· Wound care products

· Diaper rash care products

In these products, zinc oxide mainly plays a role in protecting the skin, reducing irritation, absorbing secretions, and forming a barrier.

8. Coatings, inks, and pigments

Zinc oxide has good whiteness, hiding power and weather resistance, so it is also used in the coatings and pigments industry.

It can be used for:

· Architectural Coatings

· Industrial anti-corrosion coatings

· Marine Coatings

· ink

· White pigment

· Anti-mildew coating

In some formulations, zinc oxide not only provides a white effect but also enhances the coating's resistance to mold, corrosion, and UV aging.

9. Electronic materials and new energy fields

High-purity zinc oxide has significant value in the field of electronic materials. Due to its semiconductor properties, it can be used in a variety of functional materials.

Typical applications include:

· Varistor

· lightning arrester

· Gas sensor

· Ultraviolet optoelectronic devices

· Transparent conductive materials

· Photocatalytic materials

· Solar cell related materials

In particular, nano-zinc oxide has broad development prospects in the fields of antibacterial materials, photocatalytic materials, and sensors. (Summary)

Zinc oxide, also known as zinc oxide, has the following chemical formula:

ZnOZnO

It is an important inorganic zinc compound, usually appearing as a white powder, and possesses various properties such as good stability, strong hiding power, UV resistance, antibacterial properties, adsorption, and semiconductor properties.

In food-grade applications , zinc oxide is mainly used as a zinc fortifier in nutritional supplements, fortified foods, and special nutritional products to provide the human body with the essential element of zinc.

Beyond food, zinc oxide has a wider range of applications, including:

· Sunscreen and skincare products

· Baby diaper rash cream

· Topical ointment

· rubber tires

· Ceramic glaze

· Paints and pigments

· Glassware

· feed additives

· Electronic materials

· Sensors and new energy materials

Zinc oxide can be considered an important basic chemical raw material that connects food nutrition, personal care, traditional industries, and high-end materials.