Preparation and Properties of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide Ultra-Fine Composite Particles for Attenuation of Ultraviolet Radiation

Abstract

A co-precipitation preparation method and the properties of an ultraviolet (UV)-attenuating agent are described in this paper. The composite particles of ultra-fine zinc oxide and titanium oxide are used to attenuate UV radiation. Preparation of TiOSO4, ZnCl2 solution and the co-precipitation of the composite particles by alkali are included during the process. Various types of surfactants have been used to modify the composite particles. Particle sizes are determined by laser particle analyzer, and reflectance and absorption coefficient are determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Results show that particle size of the composite particles as well as total reflectance and absorption coefficient depend on the surfactants, pH value, and carline temperature. The average sizes of zinc oxide and titanium oxide ultra-fine particles range from39 to 65 nm. Attenuation capability of ultraviolet radiation becomes stronger when the particle average sizes becomes smaller. Composites less than 40 nm with titanium oxide of rutile phase attenuate most effectively the ultraviolet radiation ranging from 280 nm to 390 nm.