Titanium dioxide with its ability to be a UV light blocker is commonly used as a physical sunscreen in the cosmetic industry. However, the safety issues of TiO ₂ application should be considered more in-depth, e.g., UV light-induced generation of reactive oxygen species which can cause DNA damage within skin cells. The proper modification of titanium dioxide to significantly limit its photocatalytic properties can contribute to the safety enhancement. The modification strategies including the process conditions and intrinsic properties of titanium dioxide were discussed. The selected examples of commercially available TiO ₂ materials as potential components of cosmetic emulsions dedicated for sunscreens were compared in this study. Only rutile samples modified with Al ₂O ₃ and/or SiO ₂ showed inhibition of photocatalytic activity.

This study examines the optimal parameters for obtaining fluorine-doped SnO ₂ (FTO) films with promising potential for photovoltaic applications. Due to its properties, tin oxide is used in a wide range of technologies, among which the manufacture of solar cells is one of the most important. Being doped with fluorine, tin dioxide becomes a good transparent and conductive electrode, suitable for solar cell applications. The chemical stability and low cost of the doped SnO ₂ makes it an advantageous alternative to tin-doped indium oxide (ITO). Among the most important characteristics of FTO thin films are high photoconductivity under sunlight irradiation and strong UV absorption. The SnO ₂ compound, doped with fluorine, exhibits a considerable chemical and physical stability, good electrical conductivity and high transmission (over 85%) in the visible range. The spray pyrolysis technique is the most preferable and efficient deposition method of fluorine-doped SnO2 thin films. This work aims to identify the optimal parameters for the spray pyrolysis of SnO ₂:F films and to analyze the morphology, transparency and strength of as obtained films in relation to the doping amount in the precursor solution, spraying distance and film thickness.