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

Abstract 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.