What is Zinc oxide?
[[File:Zinc oxide.jpg|thumb|Zinc oxide]] '''Zinc oxide''' is a [[chemical compound]]. Its [[chemical formula]] is ZnO. It contains [[zinc]] and [[oxide]] [[ion]]s. ==Properties== Zinc oxide is a white [[solid]]. It does not dissolve in water. It reacts with [[acid]]s to make zinc [[salt]]s. It can react with water to make [[zinc hydroxide]]. It reacts with [[phosphoric acid]] to make [[zinc phosphate]], a [[cement]]. It reacts with [[hydrogen sulfide]] to make [[zinc sulfide]]. It dissolves in strong [[base (chemistry)|bases]]. It can be [[reduction (chemistry)|reduced]] by [[carbon]] to zinc metal. ==Preparation== Zinc oxide can be made by heating powdered zinc metal. It can also be made by heating [[zinc hydroxide]]. It can be made by boiling zinc metal in air. [[Zinc carbonate]] makes zinc oxide when heated. ==Uses== Zinc oxide is used in the [[wikt:vulcanization|vulcanization]] of rubber, preventing the rubber from becoming brittle. It also protects the rubber from [[fungi]] and [[ultraviolet]] light. Zinc oxide can be added to [[concrete]] to help the making and hardening of concrete. Zinc oxide is used in [[calamine]]. It can be used as a [[deodorant]] and an [[wikt:antibacterial|antibacterial]] cream. Zinc oxide can be used as a [[sunscreen]]. It can be added to food to add zinc to the diet. It can also be used in paint as a pigment. It also clings to certain metals better. ==Safety== Zinc oxide is not toxic, but fine dust of zinc oxide can irritate the lungs when inhaled or aspirated. ==Related pages== *[[Zinc chloride]] *[[Zinc bromide]] [[Category:Zinc compounds]] [[Category:Oxides]]