Knowra Zinc oxide Zinc oxide Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an inorganic compound formed from zinc and oxygen. Its ultraviolet absorption, chemical stability, and semiconductor behavior support uses ranging from sunscreens to electronic components.
Sunscreen : A topical product that reduces ultraviolet exposure to skin by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering radiation. Zinc oxide is a mineral ultraviolet filter used in broad-spectrum sunscreens.
Wurtzite crystal structure : A hexagonal crystal structure adopted by compounds including zinc oxide and gallium nitride. Most stable ZnO crystals have this arrangement of zinc and oxygen ions.
Zinc : A metallic chemical element with atomic number 30, commonly found in oxidation state +2. Zinc supplies the Zn²⁺ ions in the compound.
Titanium dioxide : An inorganic oxide of titanium, TiO₂, used as a pigment, photocatalyst, and ultraviolet filter. It is the other widely used mineral ultraviolet filter and differs in optical and photocatalytic behavior.
Varistor : A voltage-dependent resistor whose electrical resistance falls sharply when voltage exceeds a threshold. Zinc oxide grains form the nonlinear conductive network in many metal-oxide varistors.
Semiconductor : A material whose electrical conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an insulator and can be controlled. ZnO’s electronic behavior places it among semiconductors.
Oxygen : A chemical element with atomic number 8 that commonly forms oxide ions in ionic compounds. Oxygen supplies the O²⁻ ions that balance zinc’s charge in ZnO.
Zinc sulfide : An inorganic compound of zinc and sulfur, ZnS, used in phosphors and optical materials. Replacing oxygen with sulfur changes the compound’s crystal structures and optical properties.
Zinc oxide nanowire : A nanoscale, wire-shaped crystal of zinc oxide with semiconducting and piezoelectric properties. Its nanoscale form is studied for sensors, ultraviolet detectors, and energy harvesting.
Piezoelectricity : The generation of electrical charge in certain materials when mechanical stress changes their polarization. ZnO’s non-centrosymmetric crystal structure permits piezoelectric response.
Show all 23