Synthesis of an AVB@ZnTi-LDH composite with synergistically enhance UV blocking activity and high stability for potential application in sunscreen formulations

1-(4-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)phenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanedione (known as Avobenzone/AVB), widely used throughout the world as a highly effective UVA absorber, can prevent the progression of photoaging in skin, and is also known for the disadvantage of having a reduced capability to absorb UVA when exposed to sunlight for long periods. To address this challenge, ZnTi-CO3-LDH with a two-dimensional layered structure was used to improve stability and synergistically enhance UV absorption of AVB. A novel AVB loaded ZnTi-CO3-LDH (AVB@ZnTi-LDH) material was synthesized by reconstruction method and the loading content (LC) was about 46.8% investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A possible mechanism for the binding of AVB with the ZnTi-LDH surface was proposed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to confirm further the coordination between Zn on the layer and the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group of AVB. UV absorption and critical wavelength of AVB@ZnTi-LDH were superior to those of AVB and ZnTi-LDH precursors. Compared with pure AVB, the photodegradation rate was reduced from 15.06% to 4.06%. Especially in titanium dioxide, the decomposition rate was reduced from 29.75% to 7.92%. Furthermore, pure AVB often reacts with multivalent metal ions to induce an unpleasant color (light yellow to reddish brown), which is greatly mitigated with AVB@ZnTi-LDH. In this study, avobenzone was combined with hydrotalcite to prepare an organic-inorganic composite with excellent UV resistance and better stability, the composite has great promise for application in sunscreen cosmetics.