Titanium dioxide (TiO₂), often referred to as titania, is a remarkable inorganic compound that has found its way into countless industries, from the vibrant world of paints and coatings to the precision - driven sectors of
There are also specialty grades of TiO₂ designed for very specific applications. For example, nano - sized titanium dioxide has unique properties due to its extremely small particle size.
- Unique Properties: Nano - TiO₂ particles have a high surface - to - volume ratio, which gives them enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to larger - sized particles. They can also offer better transparency in some applications while still providing UV protection. However, their small size also requires careful handling and processing to ensure they are used safely and effectively.
- Applications: Nano - sized titanium dioxide is used in high - tech applications such as in some advanced sunscreen formulations, where it can provide effective UV protection without leaving a white, opaque residue on the skin. It is also used in some electronic devices, like self - cleaning glass coatings for display screens, where its photocatalytic properties can help keep the screen clean from organic contaminants.
Tinox Chemie GmbH is a notable player in the TiO₂ market, offering a range of products. Their Tinox® R - 2180, for example, is a rutile universal pigment from the sulfate process. It's designed for aqueous and solvent - based paint and coating systems. This pigment exhibits excellent optical properties in the pigmented system, with a less yellow undertone. It's suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, providing excellent hiding power, gloss properties, and dispersibility. Another product, Tinox® CR - 1120, is a rutile universal TiO₂ pigment from the chloride process. It can be used in paints, coatings, and plastics. Produced with advanced technologies, especially in particle size control, it shows strong optical properties, with high hiding power, tinting strength, excellent gloss, and dispersibility, along with a blue undertone. These products from Tinox demonstrate the variety of TiO₂ types available from suppliers, each tailored to meet the specific needs of different industries.
Anatase TiO₂ is synthesized at lower temperatures and has a tetragonal crystal system. It is less stable compared to rutile. Anatase is known for its UV - absorbing properties and is used in applications like photocatalysis, certain plastics, and some cosmetics. Rutile TiO₂, produced at higher temperatures, has a more stable structure. It offers excellent durability, high refractive index, and is widely used in paints, coatings, rubber, paper, and ceramics, especially in applications where weather resistance and opacity are crucial.
In general, surface - treated titanium dioxide is not approved for direct use in food - related applications. While titanium dioxide itself has been used as a food additive in some regions (in specific forms and within regulated limits), surface - treated variants are designed for industrial applications to enhance properties like dispersion and weather resistance in materials such as paints and plastics. Their surface coatings may contain substances that are not considered safe for ingestion.
Smaller particle sizes, such as in nano - sized titanium dioxide, offer a higher surface - to - volume ratio. This can enhance photocatalytic activity, as seen in applications like air purification and self - cleaning surfaces. In coatings, smaller particles can provide better transparency while still contributing to UV protection. However, in some applications like paints, extremely small particles may require special dispersion techniques to prevent agglomeration, which could otherwise lead to inconsistent color and reduced hiding power. Larger particles, on the other hand, can be more effective in providing opacity and hiding power in applications like paper and some coatings.
Titanium dioxide is generally considered to be of low toxicity to the environment. However, the impact can vary depending on the form and how it is released. Nano - sized titanium dioxide, due to its small particle size, may have different environmental behavior compared to larger - sized particles. In some cases, if released in large quantities, it could potentially interact with aquatic organisms and soil microbes. But overall, when used and disposed of properly in industrial and consumer applications, the environmental impact of titanium dioxide is relatively minimal.
Both anatase and rutile titanium dioxide can be used in sunscreens, but they have different characteristics. Anatase TiO₂, with its transparency and UV - absorbing properties, can provide effective UV protection without leaving a heavy, white residue, making it suitable for lightweight, non - opaque sunscreen formulations. Rutile TiO₂, with its high refractive index and good UV - blocking capabilities, can also be used, especially in sunscreens where a more opaque, long - lasting protection is desired. Some sunscreens may even use a combination of both types to optimize performance. Additionally, surface - treated or nano - sized versions of TiO₂ are often used in sunscreens to enhance properties like dispersion in the cosmetic formula and to ensure even coverage on the skin.
