Zinc oxide nanomaterials have been used as semiconductors in microelectronic devices and for accelerating degradation of water pollutants via photocatalytic activity. Due to its inherent ability to absorb UV irradiation and optical transparency, ZnO nanoparticles are used in the cosmetic industry, typically in sunscreens and facial creams. Their recognized antibacterial properties are also encouraging a variety of antimicrobial applications.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have gained interest in other biomedical applications based on their high stability, inherent photoluminescence properties which can be useful in biosensing applications, wide band-gap semiconductor properties useful in photocatalytic systems and promotion of reactive oxygen species generation.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have promising applications as cholesterol biosensors, dietary modulators for hydrolase activity relevant to controlling diabetes and hyperlipaemia, as well as cell imaging. Additionally, ZnO nanoparticles are favorable in modulating allergic reactions via inhibition of mast cell degranulation. The diversity of these activities has popularized ZnO nanomaterials in interdisciplinary research communities involving physicists, chemists, and biologists.

In addition to the above applications, i.e., gas sensors, chemical and biosensors, light-emitting diodes, photo-detectors, and photocatalytic applications, Zinc oxide nanoparticles also exhibit tremendous generally, to protect the skin; materials having UV-blocking properties are added to cosmetic formulations. For the protection of skin from UV-A radiation, ZnO nanoparticles provided an effective UV-blocking material compared to TiO₂.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have their own importance due to their vast area of applications, e.g. gas sensor, chemical sensor, bio-sensor, cosmetics, storage, optical and electrical devices window materials for displays, solar cells, and drug-delivery.  ZnO is an attractive material for short-wavelength optoelectronic applications owing to its wide bandgap 3.37 eV, large bond strength, and large exciton binding energy (60 meV) at room temperature.