Monday, December 12, 2011

What is Zinc Pyrithione Used for

Zinc pyrithione is a coordination complex of zinc. CAS number: 13463-41-7. This colourless solid is used as an antifungal and antibacterial agent. Zinc Pyrithione with fine particle size can effectively prevent the precipitation and double antimicrobial effect. The pyrithione ligands, which are formally monoanions, are chelated to Zn2+ via oxygen and sulfur centers. It also has antibacterial properties and is effective against many pathogens from the streptococcus and staphylococcus class. Its decomposition by ultraviolet light is slow, providing years of protection even against direct sunlight.

Zinc Pyrithione is 50% water suspension of Zinc Pyrithione.It is an effective antimicrobial to fungi and bacteria, which can effectively kill the fungi that cause the dandruff. It is used as antidandruff agent for a long time and widely used in various famous shampoo. Each zinc is bonded to two sulfur and three oxygen centers.[3] In solution, however, the dimers dissociate via scission of one Zn-O bond. It is chemically incompatible with paints relying on metal carboxylate curing agents. 

Zinc Pyrithione is also widely used as antimicrobial in coating and paper pulp. Zinc pyrithione is best known for its use in treating dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Due to its low solubility in water (8 ppm at neutral pH), zinc pyrithione is suitable for use in outdoor paints and other products that provide protection against mildew and algae. It is an effective algaecide. When used in latex paints with water containing high amount of iron, a sequestering agent that will preferentially bind the iron ions is needed.

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