Characteristics of silica-coated TiO2 and its UV absorption for sunscreen cosmetic applications

High bioconcentration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in Daphnia magna determined by kinetic approach

The environmental risk assessments of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have drawn wide attention and one of the required critical information is the bioconcentration potentials of these nanoparticles in aquatic organisms. In the present study, the bioconcentration of six commercially available TiO2 NPs with different sizes and surface properties were quantified in a freshwater cladoceran Daphnia magna using kinetic modeling approach. We first calculated the uptake rate constant (ku) and depuration rate constant (ke) of TiO2 NPs and then employed a first-order kinetic model to predict the bioconcentration factors (BCF) at different TiO2 NPs concentrations. Both the ku and ke of TiO2 NPs were significantly affected by the exposure concentration and the nanoparticle property. The predicted BCF values in D. magna of six TiO2 NPs ranged from 2.40×10(5)L/kg to 1.52×10(6)L/kg, and had no clear correlation with the exposure concentration. Large nominal size resulted in a lower BCF of TiO2 NPs at lower exposure concentration. Higher hydrophobicity and Al(OH)3 coating also resulted in a higher BCF. All the six TiO2 NPs in this study were therefore considered very bioaccumulative. More attention should be paid to bioconcentration in the environmental risk assessments of TiO2 NPs, and the physicochemical properties of TiO2 NPs should be taken into account.

Surface Modification of the ZnO Nanoparticles with γ-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane and Study of Their Photocatalytic Activity, Optical Properties and Antibacterial Activities

Surface modification of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) with γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APTES) was investigated. Successful surface modification of the nanoparticles was confirmed experimentally by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The effect of the surface modifier concentration on the grafting density and surface area was studied by CHN elemental analysis and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The photocatalytic activity and UV shielding ability of the surface-modified particles prepared in water-ethanol solvent in the presence of the surface modifiers were compared to those of non-modified particles. As a case study, It was observed by methylene blue (MB) dye degradation experiment that the photocatalytic activity in the presence of modified nanoparticles was lower than that observed with non-modified ZnO nanoparticles. Dispersion stability tests visually showed that APTES grafted nanoparticles had acquired better stability than non-modified ZnO nanoparticles in aqueous solution.

Fabrication of montmorillonite and titanate nanotube based coatings via layer-by-layer self-assembly method to enhance the thermal stability, flame retardancy and ultraviolet protection of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabric

Montmorillonite and titanate nanotube based coatings have been prepared through LbL self-assembly method, in order to enhance the thermal and thermal-oxidative stability, flame retardancy and UV protection of polyethylene terephthalate fabric.

Platinum nanoparticles inhibit antioxidant effects of vitamin C via ascorbate oxidase-mimetic activity

Pt nanoparticles with ascorbate oxidase-mimetic activity inhibit the cytoprotective effect of vitamin C on cells challenged by H₂O₂.

Foldable and Cytocompatible Sol-gel TiO2 Photonics

Integrated photonics provides a miniaturized and potentially implantable platform to manipulate and enhance the interactions between light and biological molecules or tissues in in-vitro and in-vivo settings, and is thus being increasingly adopted in a wide cross-section of biomedical applications ranging from disease diagnosis to optogenetic neuromodulation. However, the mechanical rigidity of substrates traditionally used for photonic integration is fundamentally incompatible with soft biological tissues. Cytotoxicity of materials and chemicals used in photonic device processing imposes another constraint towards these biophotonic applications. Here we present thin film TiO2 as a viable material for biocompatible and flexible integrated photonics. Amorphous TiO2 films were deposited using a low temperature (<250 °C) sol-gel process fully compatible with monolithic integration on plastic substrates. High-index-contrast flexible optical waveguides and resonators were fabricated using the sol-gel TiO2 material, and resonator quality factors up to 20,000 were measured. Following a multi-neutral-axis mechanical design, these devices exhibit remarkable mechanical flexibility, and can sustain repeated folding without compromising their optical performance. Finally, we validated the low cytotoxicity of the sol-gel TiO2 devices through in-vitro cell culture tests. These results demonstrate the potential of sol-gel TiO2 as a promising material platform for novel biophotonic devices.

Chances and limitations of nanosized titanium dioxide practical application in view of its physicochemical properties

Nanotechnology is a field of science that is nowadays developing in a dynamic way. It seems to offer almost endless opportunities of contribution to many areas of economy and human activity, in general. Thanks to nanotechnology, the so-called nanomaterials can be designed. They present structurally altered materials, with their physical, chemical and biological properties entirely differing from properties of the same materials manufactured in microtechnology. Nanotechnology creates a unique opportunity to modify the matter at the level of atoms and particles. Therefore, it has become possible to obtain items displaying new, useful properties, i.e. self-disinfecting and self-cleaning surfaces. Those surfaces are usually covered by a thin layer of a photocatalyst. The role of the photocatalyst is most of the time performed by the nanosized titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2). Excitation of nano-TiO2 by ultraviolet radiation initiates advanced oxidation processes and reactions leading to the creation of oxygen vacancies that bind water particles. As a result, photocatalytic surfaces are given new properties. Those properties can then be applied in a variety of disciplines, such as medicine, food hygiene, environmental protection or building industry. Practically, the applications include inactivation of microorganisms, degradation of toxins, removing pollutants from buildings and manufacturing of fog-free windows or mirrors.

Potential application of functional porous TiO2 nanoparticles in light-controlled drug release and targeted drug delivery

Novel multifunctional porous titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles modified with polyethylenimine (PEI) were developed to explore the feasibility of exploiting the photocatalytic property of titanium dioxide to achieve ultraviolet (UV) light triggered drug release. Additionally, in order to further realize targeting delivery, folic acid, which chemically conjugated to the surface of the functionalized multifunctional porous TiO2 nanoparticles through amide linkage with free amine groups of PEI, was used as a cancer-targeting agent to effectively promote cancer-cell-specific uptake through receptor-mediated endocytosis. And a typical poorly water-soluble anti-cancer drug, paclitaxel, was encapsulated in multifunctional porous TiO2 nanoparticles. The PEI on the surface of multifunctional porous TiO2 nanoparticles could effectively block the channel to prevent premature drug release, thus providing enough circulation time to target cancer cells. Following UV light radiation, PEI molecules on the surface were cut off by the free radicals (OH˙ and O2-) that TiO2 produced, and then the drug loaded in the carrier was released rapidly into the cytoplasm. Importantly, the amount of drug released from multifunctional porous TiO2 nanoparticles can be regulated by the UV-light radiation time to further control the anti-cancer effect. This multifunctional porous TiO2 nanoparticle exhibits a combination of stimuli-triggered drug release and cancer cell targeting. The authors believe that the present study will provide important information for the use of porous TiO2 nanomaterials in light-controlled drug release and targeted therapy.

Characterization of food-grade titanium dioxide: the presence of nanosized particles

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used in food products, which will eventually enter wastewater treatment plants and terrestrial or aquatic environments, yet little is known about the fraction of this TiO2 that is nanoscale, or the physical and chemical properties of TiO2 that influence its human and environmental fate or toxicity. Instead of analyzing TiO2 properties in complex food or environmental samples, we procured samples of food-grade TiO2 obtained from global food suppliers and then, using spectroscopic and other analytical techniques, quantified several parameters (elemental composition, crystal structure, size, and surface composition) that are reported to influence environmental fate and toxicity. Another sample of nano-TiO2 that is generally sold for catalytic applications (P25) and widely used in toxicity studies, was analyzed for comparison. Food-grade and P25 TiO2 are engineered products, frequently synthesized from purified titanium precursors, and not milled from bulk scale minerals. Nanosized materials were present in all of the food-grade TiO2 samples, and transmission electron microscopy showed that samples 1-5 contained 35, 23, 21, 17, and 19% of nanosized primary particles (<100 nm in diameter) by number, respectively (all primary P25 particles were <100 nm in diameter). Both types of TiO2 aggregated in water with an average hydrodynamic diameter of >100 nm. Food-grade samples contained phosphorus (P), with concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.8 mg of P/g of TiO2. The phosphorus content of P25 was below inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection limits. Presumably because of a P-based coating detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the ζ potential of the food-grade TiO2 suspension in deionized water ranged from -10 to -45 mV around pH 7, and the iso-electric point for food-grade TiO2 (<pH 4) was significantly lower than that for P25. The presence of other elements in or on the TiO2 (Si content of 0.026-0.062% and Al content of 0.0006-0.810%) was also different from the case for P25 and would influence the environmental fate of TiO2. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of anatase and/or rutile in the food-grade materials, and although the presence of amorphous TiO2 could not be ruled out, it is unlikely on the basis of Raman analysis. The food-grade TiO2 was solar photoactive. Cationic dyes adsorbed more readily to food-grade TiO2 than P25, indicating very different potentials for interaction with organics in the environment. This research shows that food-grade TiO2 contains engineered nanomaterials with properties quite different from those of P25, which has previously been used in many ecotoxicity studies, and because food-grade TiO2 is more likely than P25 to enter the environment (i.e., potentially higher exposure levels), there is a need to design environmental (and human) fate and toxicity studies comparing food-grade to catalytic TiO2.

Compressibility of porous TiO2 nanoparticle coating on paperboard

Compressibility of liquid flame spray-deposited porous TiO2 nanoparticle coating was studied on paperboard samples using a traditional calendering technique in which the paperboard is compressed between a metal and polymer roll. Surface superhydrophobicity is lost due to a smoothening effect when the number of successive calendering cycles is increased. Field emission scanning electron microscope surface and cross‒sectional images support the atomic force microscope roughness analysis that shows a significant compressibility of the deposited TiO2 nanoparticle coating with decrease in the surface roughness and nanoscale porosity under external pressure. PACS: 61.46.-w; 68.08.Bc; 81.07.-b.

Preparation of TiO₂ nanocrystallite powders coated with 9 mol% ZnO for cosmetic applications in sunscreens

The preparation of TiO₂ nanocrystallite powders coated with and without 9 mol% ZnO has been studied for cosmetic applications in sunscreens by a co-precipitation process using TiCl₄ and Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O as starting materials. XRD results show that the phases of anatase TiO₂ and rutile TiO₂ coexist for precursor powders without added ZnO (T-0Z) and calcined at 523 to 973 K for 2 h. When the T-0Z precursor powders are calcined at 1273 K for 2 h, only the rutile TiO₂ appears. In addition, when the TiO₂ precursor powders contain 9 mol% ZnO (T-9Z) are calcined at 873 to 973 K for 2 h, the crystallized samples are composed of the major phase of rutile TiO₂ and the minor phases of anatase TiO₂ and Zn₂Ti₃O₈. The analyses of UV/VIS/NIR spectra reveal that the absorption of the T-9Z precursor powders after being calcined has a red-shift effect in the UV range with increasing calcination temperature. Therefore, the TiO₂ nanocrystallite powders coated with 9 mol% ZnO can be used as the attenuate agent in the UV-A region for cosmetic applications in sunscreens.

Titanium dioxide in our everyday life; is it safe?

BACKGROUND

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) is considered as an inert and safe material and has been used in many applications for decades. However, with the development of nanotechnologies TiO(2) nanoparticles, with numerous novel and useful properties, are increasingly manufactured and used. Therefore increased human and environmental exposure can be expected, which has put TiO(2) nanoparticles under toxicological scrutiny. Mechanistic toxicological studies show that TiO(2) nanoparticles predominantly cause adverse effects via induction of oxidative stress resulting in cell damage, genotoxicity, inflammation, immune response etc. The extent and type of damage strongly depends on physical and chemical characteristics of TiO(2) nanoparticles, which govern their bioavailability and reactivity. Based on the experimental evidence from animal inhalation studies TiO(2) nanoparticles are classified as "possible carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as occupational carcinogen by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The studies on dermal exposure to TiO(2) nanoparticles, which is in humans substantial through the use of sunscreens, generally indicate negligible transdermal penetration; however data are needed on long-term exposure and potential adverse effects of photo-oxidation products. Although TiO(2) is permitted as an additive (E171) in food and pharmaceutical products we do not have reliable data on its absorption, distribution, excretion and toxicity on oral exposure. TiO(2) may also enter environment, and while it exerts low acute toxicity to aquatic organisms, upon long-term exposure it induces a range of sub-lethal effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Until relevant toxicological and human exposure data that would enable reliable risk assessment are obtained, TiO(2) nanoparticles should be used with great care.

Nanoparticles: small and mighty

The properties of engineered nanomaterials and nanoparticles such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide may differ substantially from naturally occurring materials and particles. Nanoparticles have unique physical properties making them ideal for use in various skin care products currently on the market. Nano-preparations are currently under investigation as novel treatments of acne vulgaris, recurrent condyloma accuminata, atopic dermatitis, hyperpigmented skin lesions, and other non-dermatologic diseases. Because of their increased surface area, nanoparticles have increased reactivity and a small size allowing for enhanced mobility through the human body and environment. As their use becomes more prevalent, nanoparticles are being scrutinized for their safety and long-term effects. This review discusses the benefits of nanoparticles in dermatological therapies and skin care products as well as potential disadvantages and possible mechanisms of toxicity.

Review of sunscreen and the emergence of non-conventional absorbers and their applications in ultraviolet protection

Protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the major function of sunscreen lotions and UV-protective coatings for vehicles, homes, equipment and clothing. Sunscreen formulations have been optimized to become protective over a broader spectrum of UV radiation and maintain greater photostability. They are comprised of organic and inorganic components that act as chemical and physical UV protectors, respectively. Some of the organic components are limited by their spectrum of protection and photostability. Studies using solid lipid nanoparticles, recently explored organic molecules, inorganic components and antioxidants attempt to further optimize UV protection. In this review, we examine traditional and emerging nanoparticle components and highlight novel ideas in UV protection which may provide pathways for future studies.

Toxicity Assessment of Titanium (IV) Oxide Nanoparticles Using Daphnia magna (Water Flea)

OBJECTIVES

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), a common nanoparticle widely used in industrial production, is one of nano-sized materials. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute and chronic toxicity of TiO(2) using different size and various concentrations on Daphnia magna.

METHODS

In the acute toxicity test, four concentrations (0, 0.5, 4, and 8 mM) for TiO(2) with 250 or 500 nm and five concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mM) for TiO(2) with 21 nm were selected to analyze the toxic effect to three groups of ten daphnia neonates over 96 hours. In addition, to better understand their toxicity, chronic toxicity was examined over 21 days using 0, 1, and 10 mM for each type of TiO(2).

RESULTS

Our results showed that all organisms died before the reproduction time at a concentration of 10 mM of TiO(2). In addition, the exposure of anatase (21 nm) particles were more toxic to D. magna, comparing with that of anatase (250 nm) and rutile (500 nm) particles.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that TiO(2) had adverse impacts on the survival, growth and reproduction of D. magna after the 21days exposure. In addition, the number of test organisms that were able to reproduce neonates gradually were reduced as the size of TiO(2) tested was decreased.

Ecotoxicity of nanosized TiO2. Review of in vivo data

This report presents an exhaustive literature review of data on the effect of nanoparticulate TiO(2) on algae, higher plants, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates and freshwater fish. The aim, to identify the biologically important characteristics of the nanoparticles that have most biological significance, was unsuccessful, no discernable correlation between primary particle size and toxic effect being apparent. Secondary particle size and particle surface area may be relevant to biological potential of nanoparticles, but insufficient confirmatory data exist. The nanotoxicity data from thirteen studies fail to reveal the characteristics actually responsible for their biological reactivity because reported nanotoxicity studies rarely carry information on the physicochemical characteristics of the nanoparticles tested. A number of practical measures are suggested which should support the generation of reliable QSAR models and so overcome this data inadequacy.

Genotoxicity of metal nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is currently used in industry, medicine, and military applications, as well as in more than 300 commercial products. Yet, the same properties that make these particles exciting for technology also make them daunting public health concerns because their toxicity is unknown and relatively unexplored. Increased attention is being placed on the study of metal particle genotoxicity; however, a lot of unknowns remain about their effects and the mechanisms. In this article, we highlight some metal and metal oxide nanoparticles of interest and discuss the current in vivo and in vitro studies of genotoxic effects. Many metal nanoparticles were found to cause chromosomal aberrations, DNA strand breaks, oxidative DNA damage, and mutations. Inconsistencies are found in the literature, however, thus drawing conclusions is difficult due to a variety of factors. Therefore, the areas requiring further attention are highlighted and recommendations to improve our understanding of the genotoxic potential are addressed.

Synthesis and characterization of A4[Re6Q8L6]@SiO2 red-emitting silica nanoparticles based on Re6 metal atom clusters (A = Cs or K, Q = S or Se, and L = OH or CN)

Metal atom clusters constitute very promising candidates as luminophores for applications in biotechnology because they are nanosized entities offering robust luminescence in the near-infrared field (NIR). However, they cannot be used as prepared for biological applications because of potential toxic effects and quenching of the clusters' luminescence in aqueous media, and they therefore need to be dispersed in a biocompatible matrix. We describe herein the encapsulation of octahedral rhenium clusters, denoted as A(4)[Re(6)Q(8)L(6)] (A = Cs or K, Q = S or Se, and L = OH or CN), in silica nanoparticles by a water-in-oil microemulsion process, paying particular attention to the clusters' stability. The obtained A(4)[Re(6)Q(8)L(6)]@SiO(2) nanoparticles are 30 nm in size with good monodispersity and a perfectly spherical shape, as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of cluster units inside the silica matrix was evidenced by scanning transmission electron microscopy in annular dark-field mode (ADF-STEM). From the point of view of their optical properties, the A(4)[Re(6)Q(8)L(6)]@SiO(2) nanoparticles show red and NIR emission under UV excitation, even when dispersed in water. The evolution of the structural and luminescence properties of clusters before and after encapsulation was followed by Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy.

Reactive formation of zircon inclusion pigments by deposition and subsequent annealing of a zirconia and silica double shell

A novel general method for coating particles with a complex oxide was described. Zirconia precursor and silica layers with careful control of film thickness were coated separately onto hematite particles in corresponding solutions. A zircon shell was subsequently obtained by heat treatment at 800 degrees C for 3 h using LiF as a mineralizer. The as-prepared zircon-occluded hematite pigment gave a pink color to the glazed sample after annealing at 1120 degrees C. The current research suggests that various chromophoric particles can be encapsulated with zircon to prepare ceramic pigments for high-temperature use.

Effect of urea surface modification and photocatalytic cleaning on surface-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry with amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles

We have investigated the effect of urea surface modification and the photocatalytic cleaning on surface-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) with amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles for the reduction of the background noise and the improvement of the sensitivity. In the use of nanoparticles of high surface area, chemical background signals arising from ambient environments and organic contaminants can frequently be serious problems below 500 Da, possibly reducing the advantages of the matrix-free approach. In this study, removal of contaminants and enhanced SALDI efficiency were easily achieved with UV irradiation via the photocatalyst effect of TiO2 before SALDI-MS measurements. The surface cleaning achieved by the UV photocatalytic procedure reduced the background noise and increased the peak intensities of peptides. In addition, we found that urea surface modification of TiO2 nanoparticles increased the performance of the TiO2-SALDI-MS. (1) The urea-surface modification of TiO2 made it possible to produce proton-adduct forms without citrate buffer, resulting in low background noises below 500 Da, in contrast to the essential use of a citrate buffer in the bare TiO2-SALDI-MS. (2) The detection sensitivity of angiotensin I increased to 0.3 fmol with the urea-surface modification, as compared to the use of bare TiO2 nanoparticles (6 fmol). The urea-TiO2 could ionize proteins of more than 20,000 Da such as trypsinogen (600 fmol). (3) The urea modification of TiO2 had the advantage of selective detection of phosphopeptides without sample clean up, or prefractionation in tryptic digest products of bovine hemoglobin.

How Can Sol-Gel Contribute to Optical Devices?

We emphasize in this chapter the Sol-Gel chemistry, which has gained a large number of researchers, developing interesting and sophisticated novel synthetic methods, offering a variety of approaches to new systems preparation, overcoming many of the synthetic difficulties of the past. A strong argument for using the Sol-Gel chemistry is found in the high flexibility of the method and the large choice of commercially available “dopants” that can be incorporated in the solid matrices, that might have a specific activity or reactivity to an external signal (i.e. light, magnetic, electrical, etc). From the point of view of nanotechnology applications, Sol-Gel materials are being required for critical components embedded in systems such as industrial equipment and scientific instrumentation, imaging and display, medical applications, aerospace and defense, etc. The rapidly developing sol-gel process has been used for the preparation of materials for a wide range of fields, adapting the chemistry and the novel synthetic routes to the specific systems, in order to achieve complicated developments oriented to nanotechnology applications. Clear examples can be found on Sol-Gel optics applications.

Preventing UV-light damage of light sensitive materials using a highly protective UV-absorbing coating

One of the most important drawbacks of classical and new advanced functional materials for applications outdoors, or in environments with high UV irradiation, is the light induced damage that reduces drastically their effective operation lifetime or durability. This makes protecting light sensitive materials against UV irradiation a nowadays important technological demand in almost every industrial field. This tutorial review incorporates the main aspects of UV damage to materials and describes the recently developed highly effective thin UV-protective coatings, based on UV-absorber molecules entrapped in a Sol-Gel derived ormosil matrix.