Photon Harvesting in Sunscreen-Based Functional Nanoparticles

Ultrafast excited-state energy dissipation pathway of diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB) via the nanoparticles

The organic UVA filter is popularized in sunscreen cosmetics due to the advantages of excellent light stability and high molar extinction coefficient. However, the poor water solubility of organic UV filters has been a common problem. Given that nanoparticles (NPs) can significantly improve the water solubility of organic chemicals. Meanwhile, the excited-state relaxation pathways of NPs might differ from their solution. Here, the NPs of diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), a popular organic UVA filter, were prepared by an advanced ultrasonic micro-flow reactor. The surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) was selected as an effective stabilizer to prevent the self-aggregation of the NPs for DHHB. Femtosecond transient ultrafast spectroscopy (fs-TA) and theoretical calculations were utilized to trace and explain the excited-state evolution of DHHB in NPs suspension and its solution. The results reveal that the surfactant-stabilized NPs of DHHB reserve a similarly good performance of ultrafast excited-state relaxation. The stability characterization experiments demonstrate that the strategy of surfactant-stabilized NPs for sunscreen chemicals can maintain its stability and enhance the water solubility of DHHB compared with that of the solution phase. Therefore, the surfactant-stabilized NPs of organic UV filters are an effective method to improve water solubility and keep the stability from aggregation and photoexcitation.

Biodegradable bioadhesive nanoparticle incorporation of broad-spectrum organic sunscreen agents

Conventional emulsion-based sunscreen formulations are limited by postapplication epicutaneous penetration that increases the risk of allergic dermatitis, cellular damage, and filter photodegradation upon ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Encapsulation of the UVB filter padimate O within bioadhesive biodegradable nanoparticles (BNPs) composed of poly(d,l-lactic acid)-hyperbranched polyglycerol was previously shown to enhance UVR protection while preventing skin absorption. Herein, we assess the capacity of BNP co-incorporation of avobenzone and octocrylene to provide broad-spectrum UVR protection. The ratio of UV filters within nanoparticles (NPs) was optimized for filter-filter stabilization upon UV irradiation and maximum drug loading. In vitro water-resistance test showed significant particle retention at 85% over 3 hr. In a pilot clinical study, protection against UVR-induced erythema of BNPs was found to be comparable to the FDA standard P2. Thus, sunscreen formulations utilizing BNP incorporation of a combination of organic filters may offer key safety and performance advantages.

Photon Harvesting in Conjugated Polymer-Based Functional Nanoparticles

The design of new generation light-harvesting systems based on conjugated polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) is an emerging field of research to convert solar energy into renewable energy. In this Perspective, we focus on the understanding of the light harvesting processes like exciton dynamics, energy transfer, antenna effect, charge carrier dynamics, and other related processes of conjugated polymer-based functional nanomaterials. Spectroscopic investigations unveil the rotational dynamics of the dye molecules inside of PNPs and exciton dynamics of the self-assembled structures. A detailed understanding of the cascade energy transfer for white light and singlet oxygen generation in multiple fluorophores containing a PNP system by time-resolved spectroscopy is highlighted. Finally, ultrafast spectroscopic investigations provide direct insight into the impacts of electron and hole transfer at the interface in the hybrid materials for photocatalysis and photocurrent generation to construct efficient light-harvesting systems.

A new insight into the photochemistry of avobenzone in gas phase and acetonitrile from ab initio calculations

Coupled cluster based calculations on the ground and excited states of avobenzone provide mechanistic understanding of formation of transient tautomers upon photoexcitation of the chelated enol form.