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Popularity of Zinc Oxide Surges with its Appealing Properties

Monday, 29 April, 2019

What is Zinc Oxide?

Zinc oxide is known as an inorganic compound which is denoted by the formula ZnO. This compound comes in the form of a white powder which is generally not soluble in water, finding numerous use as an additive in a variety of materials as well as products such as plastics, rubbers, glass, ceramics, lubricants, cement, ointments, paints, sealants, adhesives, foods, pigments,  ferrites, batteries, first-aid tapes, and fire retardants. While it is found as the mineral zincite naturally, most zinc oxide can be produced synthetically.

General Properties of Zinc Oxide

Zinc oxide is generally considered to be a wide-bandgap semiconductor belonging to the II-VI semiconductor group. This type of semiconductor has a number of appealing properties, such as excellent transparency, wide bandgap, strong room-temperature luminescence along with high electron mobility. Due to these properties, zinc oxides find several applications for energy-saving or heat-protecting windows, electronics as thin-film transistors and light-emitting diodes and transparent electrodes in liquid crystal displays.

The Production Processes Involved in Making Zinc Oxide

Direct Process

The direct aka American process involves a diverse set of contaminated zinc composites, like zinc ores or smelter by-products. Here, the zinc precursors get reduced using the method of carbothermal reduction, where it is heated using a source of carbon like anthracite for producing zinc vapor, following which it is oxidized using the indirect process.

Indirect Process

The indirect aka the French process involves melting the metallic zinc in a graphite crucible, after which it is vaporized at temperatures ranging from 907 °C to 1000 °C. Following which, the zinc vapor along with oxygen present in the air react to produce ZnO, combined with its temperature reduced along with bright luminescence. Then, the particles of zinc oxide go into a cooling duct, after which it is collected in a bag house. 

Wet Chemical Process

A rather small portion of the industrial production makes use of the wet chemical processes, which begins with the aqueous solutions of zinc salts, out of which zinc hydroxide or zinc carbonate is precipitated. This precipitate is in the solid form, which gets calcined at temperatures of up to 800 °C.

Uses and Benefits of Zinc Oxide

Treating Acne

For treating acne, zinc oxide is generally blended with other substances with anti-inflammatory or anti-bacterial properties, such as zinc gluconate or zinc sulfate or antioxidants, in addition to antibacterial agents in some cases. Along with such elements, zinc oxide helps reduce the severity, appearance, pain, and duration of cystic or hormonal acne, coupled with breakouts and blemishes.

Protection against Sun Damage

The sun-protecting properties of zinc oxide are highly beneficial, having been the primary focus of numerous skincare research in the past. The compound is known for offering protection against ultraviolet rays, unlike the sunscreens inundated with chemicals which are able to block just one type of UV light.

Prevents Bacterial Infections

The compound is known for possessing the ability of acting as a mild astringent, as it helps prevent the harmful bacteria from causing infections of the skin. In addition, it also acts as a natural skin-drying agent, with traditional uses including the treatment of wounds after surgery and application of salves inside the mouth for the treatment of sores or ulcers.

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Category: Chemicals & Materials

Tags: zinc oxide chemical compound ZnO properties of zinc oxide zinc oxide making process uses of zinc oxide

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