Dual Functional Titanium Hydride Particles for Anti-Ultraviolet and Anti-Oxidant Applications

TiO 2 is a typical anti-ultraviolet agent in sunscreen cream, but it suffers from a lack of anti-oxidant activity for scavenging reactive oxygen species. Other traditional sunscreen ingredients, such as C 60 and ferulic acid, have moderate antioxidant and UV protection capabilities, and the products do not provide further UV protection. Herein, titanium hydride (TiH 1.97 ) particles with dual functions of anti-oxidant and anti-ultraviolet are presented as an active material to remove the highly oxidizing and harmful hydroxide free radicals from the skin surface. Owing to the active hydrogen in TiH 2 , it shows great potential to eliminate hydroxyl radicals, and the rate is roughly proportional to the exposed surface area (50% /20 min). Together with the biocompatibility of the in situ formed TiO 2 , which has a strong ability to absorb ultraviolet light during OH radical scavenging. At the same time, adding titanium hydride to sunscreen also enhances sun protection. The SPF value of sunscreen containing 1% titanium hydride and 20% titanium dioxide can reach 31.8, which exceeds the 20% titanium dioxide (15) by more than twofold. Therefore, titanium hydride with anti-ultraviolet and antioxidant functions can be regarded as a promising and safe ingredient for sunscreen cream.