Titanium dioxide
(Redirected from Titanium white)
Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a naturally occurring oxide of titanium, widely used in various industries due to its unique properties. It is a white, opaque compound with high refractive index, making it an excellent pigment and UV filter.
Properties[edit | edit source]
Titanium dioxide exists in several crystalline forms, the most common being anatase and rutile. These forms differ in their crystal structure and optical properties. Anatase is known for its photocatalytic activity, while rutile is more stable and has a higher refractive index.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Titanium dioxide is used in a wide range of applications:
- Pigments: It is the most widely used white pigment in the world, providing whiteness and opacity to products such as paints, coatings, plastics, papers, inks, foods, and cosmetics.
- Sunscreens: Due to its ability to absorb UV light, titanium dioxide is a key ingredient in sunscreens, protecting the skin from harmful UV radiation.
- Photocatalysis: Anatase form of titanium dioxide is used in photocatalytic applications, such as self-cleaning surfaces and air purification.
- Food Additive: It is used as a food coloring agent, known as E171 in the European Union.
Production[edit | edit source]
Titanium dioxide is primarily produced from ilmenite, a mineral that contains iron and titanium. The production process involves several steps:
1. Extraction: Ilmenite is mined and processed to remove impurities. 2. Conversion: The purified ilmenite is converted into titanium dioxide through either the sulfate process or the chloride process. 3. Finishing: The resulting titanium dioxide is milled and surface-treated to enhance its properties for specific applications.
Health and Safety[edit | edit source]
While titanium dioxide is generally considered safe, there are concerns about its potential health effects when inhaled as a fine dust. Regulatory agencies continue to evaluate its safety in various applications.
Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]
The production and use of titanium dioxide can have environmental impacts, including energy consumption and waste generation. Efforts are ongoing to develop more sustainable production methods.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/disambiguation' not found. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/disambiguation' not found.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen, Prab R. Tumpati, MD