Crude zinc oxide appears as yellow-grey granular solid which has no odour. He compound is insoluble in water. It occurs naturally as a mineral compound known as zincite, but can also be produced synthetically.

Some of the applications of zinc oxide include:

1. It is applied as a pigment in white paints as a substitute for lead carbonate.
2. It applied as an activator and accelerator during the vulcanization process in the rubber industry.
3. It is applied in the production of opaque glass and some types of opaque glass.
4. It is applied in the manufacture of enamels.
5. It is used in the manufacture of white glue.
6. It is used in the manufacture of white printing ink.
7. It is used in the manufacture of porcelains.
8. It is used as a flame retardant.
9. It is applied in electronics as a semiconductor.
10. It is applied as an inhibitor for old-growth in paints.
11. It is applied as a photoconductor in office copying machines and colour photography.
12. It is applied in the floor covering in floor tiles.
13. It is used in the manufacture of lubricants, plastics, rayon, and fabrics.
14. It is applied as a dusting powder.
15. It is applied as a feed additive for dietary supplementation.
16. It is applied in carbon black mixtures.
17. It is applied as an anticaking agent.
18. It is applied as an active ingredient in a lot of suntan lotions.
19. It is applied in the preparation of dental cement.
20. It is applied in the production of hydrogen.
21. It is applied as a major additive in the production of lubricants for engines. Here it helps to reduce oxidation and engine corrosion and wear.
22. Its varistors are applied to protect against low voltage surges in electronics applications such as computers. It is also used for high voltage surges in lighting arrestors.
23. It is applied externally as a drug colourant.
24. Its bed is applied in the removal of mercaptans, hydrogen sulfide and to some extent chlorine at a temperature of 350-400 degrees Celsius.
25. It is applied as a phosphor powder in vacuum fluorescence displays.
26. It is used in the preparation of zinc fluoride tetrahydrate through its reaction with hydrogen fluoride.
27. It is applied as an industrial preservative for incorporation into nylon carpet fibres to aid in inhibiting bacterial and fungal spoilage.
28. It is applied on walkways to prevent the growth of moss.
29. It is applied as an ingredient in the pressure treatment of lumber.