Facile Synthesis of PEG- and Oleic Acid-Modified ZnO Nanoparticles for Potential Skin UV-Protection Applications

Authors

Christian Laurence E. Aquino, Department of Engineering Science, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4030, Laguna, PhilippinesFollow
Salvador C. Buenviaje, Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Luigi A. Dahonog, Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Aian B. Ontoria, Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Aidrean P. Opaco, Department of Engineering Science, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4030, Laguna, Philippines
Mary Donabelle L. Balela, Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has garnered significant attention due to its wide-ranging applications. ZnO’s wide direct bandgap (3.37 eV) and excellent UV-shielding properties make it ideal for cosmetic applications as a UV-shielding material. However, the high photocatalytic activity of ZnO is undesirable for cosmetic applications, as it promotes the generation of reactive hydroxyl radicals that are harmful to human skin. In addition, direct contact of the photoactive particles with the skin can further aggravate these catalytic effects, thereby necessitating the use of encapsulation or surface modification strategies. Driven by this gap, this study explores the synthesis and surface modification of ZnO nanoparticles using biocompatible agents, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and oleic acid (OA) and assess its effect on the photoactivity of ZnO. ZnO and modified ZnO particles were synthesized via a simple chemical precipitation method, using Zn(CH3COO)2 and NaOH as precursors. XRD analysis confirmed the high purity of the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO phase. FTIR and TGA analyses indicated successful surface modification, showing distinct functional groups and weight loss profiles attributed to PEG and OA. SEM images revealed that the modification increased nanoparticle size, attributed to surface coating by the polymer modifiers. UV-Vis spectra showed a slight shift in absorption and bandgap values, with OA-modified ZnO exhibiting the highest bandgap (3.62 eV), making it suitable for potential skin UV-protection applications.

Article Type

Original Study

First Page

1

Last Page

1

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Aquino, Christian Laurence E.; Buenviaje, Salvador C.; Dahonog, Luigi A.; Ontoria, Aian B.; Opaco, Aidrean P.; and Balela, Mary Donabelle L. (2025) "Facile Synthesis of PEG- and Oleic Acid-Modified ZnO Nanoparticles for Potential Skin UV-Protection Applications," Eurasian Journal of Physics and Functional Materials: Vol. 9: No. 4, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.69912/2616-8537.1262