A Safe, Rapid, and Eco-friendly Metal-organic Framework（MOF) Hair Dye

Hair is more prone to changes in length, colour, and shape compared to other physical features, so many people place great emphasis on hair to showcase their personality and pursuit of fashion. At that time, humans have been using various substances to change the colour of hair and skin. Hair dyes are nowadays also one of the most popular cosmetic products. However, most of the hair dyes on the market are oxidized hair dyes, and related studies have shown that long-term use of this kind of hair dye is disadvantageous to the human body. Therefore, the development of a safer, non-toxic and efficient hair colouring method is in line with the current need to meet the needs of both the elderly to dye their hair black and the fashionable young people to dye their hair coloured.

The research team of Associate Investigator Kong Yan from the Biomedical and Health Technology Research Platform of NUSRI Suzhou led by the Chief Principal Investigator Professor Huang Dejian has developed a technology for hair colouring using metal ions and polyphenols extracted from plant foods to form a metal-organic framework（MOF)（Patent pending）. This is a safer and non-toxic hair colouring method compared to traditional hair dyes, which meets people's hair colouring needs while ensuring health and environmental protection.

Polyphenols, as a compound with health effects on the human body, have interesting chemical and physical properties due to their unique structure. Polyphenols can coordinate with metals to form MOFs on the surface, giving the hair a black or other colour. In addition, the polyphenol framework has excellent water and oxidation resistance, which helps the colour layer to remain intact during shampooing and daily exposure to moisture and protects the colour layer from the oxidative effects of oxygen and UV rays in the environment, thus slowing down the fading process.

This safe, non-toxic and effective hair colouring technology can meet the modern demand for health and environmental protection and is expected to be widely used in the market. In addition, this technology can be used for personal care, but also for the development of multifunctional materials with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticoagulant functions through the co-ordination of polyphenols and metal ions for applications in areas such as medical devices and biomaterials.