Integration of Inverse Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Miniaturized Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation for the Rapid Analysis of Nanoparticles in Sunscreens

Abstract

We report the use of inverse supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and miniaturized asymmetrical flow field -flow fractionation (mAF4) for the preparation and subsequent analysis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in model and commercial sunscreens. The approach allows for the fast and reliable fractionation and sizing of TiO2 nanoparticles and their quantitation in commercial products. This new method represents a powerful and efficient tool for the verification of nanoparticle content in a wide range of matrixes, as demanded by recently introduced regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the use of carbon dioxide as an environmentally friendly solvent is in line with the increasing need for ecologically compatible analytical techniques.