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Question asked 2020-03-07 10:39:09 ...
Most recent comment 2020-03-09 11:21:09
Art Conservation Topics
Oil Paint
Pigments
Scientific Analysis
Varnishes
Hi all,
I've been reading about how micronized (or nano-particle sized) Zinc Oxide is used in Suncream to protect from UV light. As I understand it the very small size particles also make the zinc oxide more transparent.
Would this form of Zinc oxide used in a varnish (perhaps as a matting agent) help with UV protection? Would it break down being metal based?
Also, I wonder if this form of Zinc oxide added to oil paint would help contribute metal ions to the oil firms, but without the brittleness it can cause?
Thanks,
Richard
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Moderator Answer
(brian baade)
Very small particles (especially nano particles) are far more reactive than their macro
counterparts (this is a function of their far greater surface area). Any of the
defects found in zinc white would be exacerbated in the micronized version and magnified in a nano form.
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Moderator Answer
(george o'hanlon)
Nanoparticle zinc oxide is the grade typically used in sunscreen lotions and other applications. Typically, micronized particles are between 0.1 micron and 100 microns, however the grinding process may result in nanoparticles called 'fines' which are smaller and in the nanoparticle range. Nanoparticles are usually sized between 100 and 2500 nanometers (100 nanometers is 0.1 microns). The grade of zinc oxide pigment used today in paint is micronized produced by the American or French process. Nanoparicle zinc oxide is even more reactive in varnishes and oil paint than micronized zinc oxide, as Brian wrote.
Although zinc oxide absorbs UV light, there are better substitutes in varnishes, such as hindered amine light stabilizers (HALs). There are also better matting agents, such as fumed silica for use in varnishes.
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Moderator Answer
(brian baade)
Thanks George, you point out a relevant fact. Micronized and
nano are not the same thing. The funny thing is that they are often used interchangeably
in conservation literature. There are many papers on nano particles used in
conservation where the particle size is really not nano at all. It is important
to be precise here and I have edited my comment to reflect this.
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