Y2O3 decorated TiO2 nanoparticles: Enhanced UV attenuation and suppressed photocatalytic activity with promise for cosmetic and sunscreen applications

Marcela Chaki Borrás; Ronald Sluyter; Philip J Barker; Konstantin Konstantinov; Shahnaz Bakand

doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.111883

Y₂O₃ decorated TiO₂ nanoparticles: Enhanced UV attenuation and suppressed photocatalytic activity with promise for cosmetic and sunscreen applications

J Photochem Photobiol B. 2020 Jun:207:111883. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.111883. Epub 2020 Apr 17.

Authors

Marcela Chaki Borrás¹, Ronald Sluyter², Philip J Barker³, Konstantin Konstantinov⁴, Shahnaz Bakand⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
² School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
³ School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
⁴ Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
⁵ Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Electronic address: sbakand@uow.edu.au.

PMID: 32344334
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.111883

Abstract

Nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is widely used in cosmetic products and sunscreens. However, primarily due to their photocatalytic activity, some TiO₂ products have been shown to be cytotoxic. Thus, the aim of this study was to reduce the photoactivity and consequent cytotoxicity of TiO₂nanoparticles. As such, in this work, yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) was deposited onto TiO₂, at 5% and 10% Y/Ti weight ratio, via a hydrothermal method. The nanocomposites produced, TiO₂@Y₂O₃ 5 and 10 wt%, were characterised to assess their physical, photochemical and toxicological properties. These materials exhibit a uniform yttria coating, enhanced UV attenuation in the 280-350 nm range and significantly reduced photoactivity compared with a pristine commercial TiO₂ sample (Degussa Aeroxide® P25). Furthermore, the comparative cytotoxicity and photo-cytotoxicity of these materials to a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), was assessed using a colorimetric tetrazolium salt (MTS) assay. Following 24-hour incubation with cells, both Y₂O₃ loadings exhibited improved biocompatibility with HaCaT cells, compared to the pristine TiO₂ sample, under all subsequent test conditions. In conclusion, the results highlight the potential of these materials for use in products, applied topically, with sun protection in mind.

Keywords: Biocompatibility; Nanoparticles; Photocatalytic activity; TiO(2); UV protection; Y(2)O(3).

MeSH terms

Catalysis
Cell Survival / drug effects
Cosmetics / chemistry*
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
HaCaT Cells
Humans
Light
Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
Nanocomposites / chemistry*
Occupational Exposure
Oxidation-Reduction
Photochemical Processes
Tetrazolium Salts / chemistry
Time Factors
Titanium / chemistry*
Ultraviolet Rays
Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry
Yttrium / chemistry*

Substances

Cosmetics
Tetrazolium Salts
Water Pollutants, Chemical
titanium dioxide
Yttrium
Titanium
yttria