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Structural, morphological and optical characterization of ZnO/TiO2 multi-layer nanocomposites extracted from commercial sunscreens

L. G. DAZA1, E. A. MARTÍN-TOVAR2,* , M. DUARTE-AKÉ1, I. V. PEREZ-QUINTANA1, R. CASTRO-RODRIGUEZ3

Affiliation

  1. Faculty of Engineering, Autonomous University of Yucatan, Merida A.P. 150/97203, Mexico
  2. División de Oncología y Uronefrología, Departamento de Radioterapia, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional “Ignacio García Téllez”, Instituto Mexica
  3. Applied Physics Department, CINVESTAV-IPN, Merida A.P. 73/97205, Mexico

Abstract

ZnO, TiO2, and ZnO/TiO2 multilayer nanocomposites extracted from commercial sunscreens and protective gel were prepared using the Sol-Gel Spin-Coating (SGSC) technique. SEM analysis revealed three-dimensional spherical structures with maximum thicknesses of 4.67, 3.08, and 1.52 mm for ZnO, TiO2, and ZnO/TiO2 layers, respectively. XRD confirmed polycrystalline, mesoporous films with hexagonal wurtzite (ZnO) and tetragonal anatase (TiO2) phases. Analysis by X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) detected ZnO and TiO2 without elemental impurities. Optical transmittance ranged from 10% to 40% in the 300-850 nm wavelength region. These properties suggest potential suitability for dye-sensitized solar cells..

Keywords

Sunscreen, ZnO, TiO2, Sol-gel, Spin-coating, Nanocomposites.

Submitted at: Dec. 24, 2024
Accepted at: Aug. 5, 2025

Citation

L. G. DAZA, E. A. MARTÍN-TOVAR, M. DUARTE-AKÉ, I. V. PEREZ-QUINTANA, R. CASTRO-RODRIGUEZ, Structural, morphological and optical characterization of ZnO/TiO2 multi-layer nanocomposites extracted from commercial sunscreens, Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials Vol. 27, Iss. 7-8, pp. 318-325 (2025)