Current Status of Zinc Oxide Nanopowder Manufacturing Technology for UV Filters

Abstract

Zinc oxide has attracted attention due to its high functionality, including chemical stability, high biocompatibility, and excellent optical properties. In particular, when the particles are nano-sized, they exhibit new characteristics, making them suitable for application in UV-filters, photo-catalysts and cosmetics. This paper provides an overview of nano zinc oxide used for UV filters, and summarizes domestic and international production technology and the industrial status of zinc oxide nano-powder. First, the concept and principle of the nano-sized zinc oxide manufacturing process is provided, and various types of manufacturing methods are analyzed, namely, wet process, dry process, and powder process. Next, the results of an analysis of the domestic sunscreen market size and company status are provided. The production processes of major domestic companies and their product characteristics, such as particle size, purity, surface treatment, and transparency of the zinc oxide powder being produced, are analyzed and provided. The characteristics of zinc oxide produced for use in sunscreens, both domestically and internationally, can be summarized as follows. Manufactured zinc oxide powder is white or transparent, and particle size typically ranges from 30 to 200 nm on average, although non-nano sized powders h