Dual-Particle Synergy in Bio-Based Linseed Oil Pickering Emulsions: Optimising ZnO–Silica Networks for Greener Mineral Sunscreens

TL;DR

Researchers developed a biodegradable sunscreen using linseed oil and ZnO nanoparticles, enhanced with silica to improve stability and UV protection.

Contribution

A novel dual-particle system combining ZnO and silica for stabilizing plant-oil emulsions in eco-friendly sunscreens.

Findings

Incorporating silica transformed the dispersion into a weak-gel with reduced Turbiscan Stability Index.

ZnO formed Pickering shells while silica bridged droplets, enhancing UV scattering and stability.

The method offers a transferable strategy for greener mineral sunscreens with physical robustness.

Abstract

The development of mineral, biodegradable sunscreens that can offer both high photoprotection and long-term colloidal stability, while limiting synthetic additives, presents a significant challenge. A linseed oil nanoemulsion co-stabilised by ZnO nanoparticles and the eco-friendly surfactant Appyclean 6552 was formulated, and the effect of incorporating fumed silica/alumina (Aerosil COK 84) was evaluated. A central composite response surface design was used to ascertain the oil/ZnO ratio that maximised the in vitro sun protection factor at sub-300 nm droplet size. The incorporation of Aerosil at concentrations ranging from 0 to 2 wt.% resulted in a transformation of the dispersion from a nearly Newtonian state to a weak-gel behaviour. This alteration was accompanied by a reduction in the Turbiscan Stability Index. Microscopic analysis has revealed a hierarchical particle architecture, in which ZnO forms Pickering shells around each droplet, while Aerosil aggregates bridge neighboring interfaces, creating a percolated silica scaffold that immobilises droplets and amplifies multiple UV scattering. The findings demonstrate that coupling interfacial Pickering armour with a continuous silica network yields a greener, physically robust mineral sunscreen and offers a transferable strategy for stabilising plant-oil emulsions containing inorganic actives.

Figures