About TiO2
What is titanium dioxide?
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a bright white substance primarily used as a vivid colourant. Its unique properties make it suitable for a wide range of everyday and specialist applications. Known for being non-toxic, non-reactive, and luminous, TiO2 has enhanced the whiteness and brightness of countless products for over 100 years. TiO2 is a popular ingredient that significantly benefits our economy and quality of life, with no like-for-like alternative currently available.
The properties of titanium dioxide
TiO2 has several unique characteristics that make it ideally suited for many different applications:
- Brilliance, colour strength, opacity: unlike any other substance.
- Resistance to heat, light and weathering: prevents degradation of paint, films, and embrittlement of plastics.
- Protection from harm: its ability to scatter and absorb UV radiation makes TiO2 a crucial ingredient in sunscreen, protecting the skin from harmful UV rays.
- Innovation: acts as a photocatalyst in solar panels and supports the reduction of pollutants in the air.
The uses of titanium dioxide
Applications for TiO2 include paints, plastics, paper, pharmaceuticals, sunscreen, and cosmetics, among others.
TiO2 can be added as a photocatalyst to paints, cements, windows and tiles to decompose environmental pollutants. TiO2 can also be found in packaging and commercial printing inks.
TiO2 can be added as a photocatalyst to paints, cements, windows and tiles to decompose environmental pollutants. TiO2 can also be found in packaging and commercial printing inks.
Paints, coatings and plastics
When used as a pigment in paints, TiO2 is called ‘titanium white’, ‘Pigment White 6’ or ‘CI 77891’. As a white pigment, TiO2 is one of the essential raw materials for paints and coatings.
Cosmetics and care
In skin care and make-up products, TiO2 is used both as a pigment and as a thickener for creams. In suncreams, ultra-fine TiO2 is used for its transparency and UV-absorbing abilities.
Environmental benefits
TiO2 has several environmental benefits including facilitating energy saving, decomposing environmental pollutants, supporting the production of hydrogen for fuel, and enabling solar energy generation.
Where does titanium dioxide come from?
First created in a laboratory in the late 1800s, mass production of TiO2 began in the early 20th century as it was considered a safer alternative to other white pigments.
TiO2 is a naturally occurring compound formed when titanium reacts with oxygen. The chemical formula indicates that it consists of one titanium atom and two oxygen atoms
TiO2 can be found globally in several kinds of rocks and mineral sands and it is extracted through two common processes:
- Sulphate Process: involves treating ilmenite with sulfuric acid.
- Chloride Process: involves reacting rutile with chlorine.