Tunable, Hybrid 1D ZnO Nanostructures Obtained by Using Bio‐renewable Ferulic Acid as Support and its Applications. Issue 22 (14th June 2018) - Vasantha, Vivek Arjunan
Abstract: Inorganic oxides such as titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are desired as ultraviolet (UV) filters. Such UV‐filters derived from naturally occurring oxides are promising components for formulating personal care products sustainably. However, UV‐filters based on inorganic oxides pose challenges to formulators and users in terms of strong adherence to skin and high photocatalytic activity. As a means to influence the morphology of such functional oxides, a simple one‐dimensional (1D) ZnO nanorod was synthesized via solvothermal technique assisted by the seed‐growth method. Thus bio‐renewable ferulic acid (FA) was used as a capping and structure‐directing agent to obtain tunable nanostructures such as spheres, sheets, and rods. SEM and TEM analyses revealed the self‐assembled elongated morphology with increased aspect ratio. Based on these as well as other analyses the growth mechanism of zinc oxide functionalized ferulic acid (ZnO@FA) was investigated. ZnO@FA also exhibited broad absorption in the UV−B and A regions, unique antioxidant behavior along with a highly suppressed photocatalytic activity. The ZnO@FA are sustainable, functional materials. These materials are potentially useful in areas such as cosmetics, functional coatings, sensors and solar cells. Abstract : Tunable ZnO architectures: A simple and benign approach to functionalized ZnO using bio‐derived ferulic acid (ZnO@FA). FA was used as a capping and structure‐directing agent to obtain tunable nanostructures such as spheres, sheets, and rods. ZnO@FA has strong absorption in UV−B and A region and also exhibited antioxidant properties with low photocatalytic activity. The tunable hybrid ZnO@FA nanostructures as a sustainable UV‐filter for personal care applications.