Language
Country/Area
No result found
From coatings to food additives: How amazing are the diverse uses of zinc oxide?
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an inorganic compound with a wide range of applications, from beauty products to food additives. This white powder is insoluble in water, but can be added to a variety of materials, such as cosmetics, food supplements, rubber, plastic, ceramics, glass, etc., making zinc oxide an indispensable part of modern technology.
History of Zinc Oxide
Early humans may have used zinc compounds as pigments or medicines, but their chemical composition is unclear.
According to ancient literature, the use of zinc oxide can be traced back to 500 BC, and the "pushpanjan" mentioned in the Indian medical text "Charaka Sutra" may be zinc oxide. This shows that zinc oxide has been widely used in eye and wound treatments throughout history. The Greek physician Dioscorides, writing in the 1st century AD, also mentioned zinc oxide as an ingredient in ointments.
The industrial development of this substance is equally remarkable. In 200 BC, the Romans produced large quantities of brass using a zinc oxide smelting process, a technique that still influences copper and zinc processing today.
Chemical and physical properties
Pure zinc oxide is a white powder, but exists in nature as the rare mineral zinc cite.
From a chemical property point of view, zinc oxide is an amphoteric oxide that is almost insoluble in water, but soluble in most acids and can react with strong bases to form soluble zincates. In terms of its physical properties, zinc oxide has high thermal conductivity and good transparency, making it particularly important in high-tech applications.
Application fields of zinc oxide
Zinc oxide is used in almost all industries, especially in medicine and materials science.
Zinc oxide accounts for 50%-60% of the usage in the rubber industry.
In the rubber industry, zinc oxide in combination with stearic acid is used in the vulcanization process to improve the strength and durability of rubber. Its application in the ceramic industry is equally important, as zinc oxide can adjust the melting point and optical properties of glazes, making ceramic products more attractive.
Medical Applications
Zinc oxide has a wide range of medical uses, especially in the field of skin care.
Zinc oxide is an effective ingredient in treating a variety of skin conditions, especially diaper rash and contact dermatitis.
Dermatological products such as Botle cream and sunscreen use zinc oxide as a main ingredient. Its excellent antibacterial properties make it popular in toothpastes and mouthwashes, helping to prevent the formation of dental plaque.
Future Outlook
With the advent of the era of green technology and sustainable development, the demand for zinc oxide is also rising steadily. What unexpected surprises will its potential applications in optoelectronics, energy and environmental technologies bring?
