Accurate quantification of TiO2 nanoparticles in commercial sunscreens using standard materials and orthogonal particle sizing methods for verification
- Author(s)
- Milica Velimirovic-Fanfani, Stephan Wagner, Fazel Abdolahpur Monikh, Toni Uusimäki, Ralf Kaegi, Thilo Hofmann, Frank von der Kammer
- Abstract
The implementation and enforcement of product labeling obligation as required, for example, by the cosmetic product regulation, needs simple and precise validated analytical methods. This also applies to the analysis of nanoparticles in products such as cosmetics. However, the provision of such methods is often hampered by inaccurate sizing due to unwanted nanoparticle changes, interference of matrix components with sizing and interactions between nanoparticles and analytical instrumentation. It is, therefore, necessary to develop appropriate sample preparation methods that preserve NP properties and reduce or remove matrix compounds that interfere with sizing. Further, accurate particle size analysis of samples containing unknown and possibly multiple nanoparticulate constituents is needed. In this study, we evaluated three sample preparation methods to identify and quantify TiO
2 nanoparticles in sunscreens. Specifically, we used a combination of ultracentrifugation and hexane washing, thermal destruction of the matrix, and surfactant assisted particle extraction. The method accuracy was assessed by two internal reference samples: pristine TiO
2 nanoparticles (NM104) and similar TiO
2 nanoparticles dispersed in a sunscreen matrix. The PSDs were determined using an asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation hyphenated with multi-angle light scattering and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. Particle sizing was based on size calibration of the particle retention time in the AF
4. Computation of radius of gyration from MALS data was used as an orthogonal particle sizing approach to verify ideal elution and particle size data from the AF
4 calibration. Among the three tested sample preparation methods surfactant assisted particle extraction revealed TiO
2 nanoparticle recoveries of above 90% and no increase in particle size due to sample preparation was observed. Finally, the sample preparation methods were applied to two commercial sunscreen samples revealing the existence of TiO
2-NP < 100 nm. Conclusively, the surfactant assisted particle extraction method can provide valid data for TiO
2-NPs in sunscreen and possibly for cosmetic samples of similar matrix.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Environmental Geosciences
- External organisation(s)
- Eidgenössische Anstalt für Wasserversorgung, Abwasserreinigung und Gewässerschutz, Ghent University , Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung
- Journal
- Talanta
- Volume
- 215
- No. of pages
- 10
- ISSN
- 0039-9140
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2020.120921
- Publication date
- 03-2020
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 210001 Nanoanalytics, 210004 Nanomaterials
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Analytical Chemistry
- Portal url
- https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/accurate-quantification-of-tio2-nanoparticles-in-commercial-sunscreens-using-standard-materials-and-orthogonal-particle-sizing-methods-for-verification(6d8c8340-aebc-42ac-b5fc-8bf8cc0a0670).html