Zinc oxide
General Product Information
| Article | Zinc oxide |
| Synonyms | Zinc white, Calamine, Philosopher’s wool, Chinese white, Flowers of zinc, Zinca, C.I. Pigment White 4, C.I. 77947 |
| CAS No. | 1314-13-2 |
| EEG No. | 030-013-00-7 |
| EINECS No. | 215-222-5 |
| IMO | 9 |
| Tariff Code | 28170000 |
| UN No. | 3077 |
| VLG/ADR | 9, III |
Description
Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical and industrial sectors. It is a white, odorless, crystalline powder that is highly soluble in acids but not in water. Zinc oxide BP is suitable for use in Pharmaceutical applications, such as in ointments and creams, as well as other industrial applications such as rubber production, paints and sunscreen products. It has excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an important substance in many medical and cosmetic products.
Characteristics
- Grade: Pharmaceutical.
- BP Grade: High purity and meets stricter standards for solvent residues and other contaminants.
- High purity: Meets pharmaceutical requirements for use in medicinal applications.
- Odor: Odorless.
- High thermal stability: suitable for use in high-temperature environments.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | ZnO |
| Molar Weight | 81.38 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 1975 °C |
| Boiling Point | – |
| Solubility | Soluble in acids (such as hydrochloric acid), but not soluble in water. |
| Density | 5.606 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | Approx. 7 on 10% solution, but varies depending on purity. |
| Color | White |
| Shape | Fine crystalline powder |
Applications
Zinc oxide is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Pharmaceutical Industry
Zinc oxide is widely used in the production of ointments, creams and powders because of its soothing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is often used at treating skin diseases such as diaper rash, acne and eczema. It is also an important ingredient in sunscreen products because of its ability to block harmful UV rays.
2. Cosmetics
In the cosmetics industry, zinc oxide is used in skin care products such as sunscreen, face masks, lotions and mineral makeup because it provides a physical filter against the sun’s rays.
3. Electronic Applications
Zinc oxide is used in the electronics industry in the production of semiconductors, solar cells and other electronic components.
4. Chemical Industry
It is used as a catalyst and in the production of other zinc compounds, such as zinc sulfate.
5. Industrial Applications
Zinc oxide is used in the production of rubber, where it acts as a filler and accelerator. It is also used in the paint industry to produce durable and weather-resistant paint.
Interessing Links
- British Pharmacopoeia (BP) of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) – Guidelines and standards for food additives and food ingredients.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- European Food Information Council (EFIC) – Food facts for healthy choices.
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Information about safety and application of food additives.
- European Pharmacopoeia (EP) of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare.
- PubChem – Zinc White of the National Library of Medicine by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP)
- Wikipedia – Zinc oxide