Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is an inorganic compound that has been used in a wide variety of diverse sectors. it is also called "Titania". It is known for its non-reactive, non-toxic, and luminous properties. Because of its excellent properties, it increases the brightness and whiteness of many kinds of materials. It is the strong white pigment that has been used for many purposes in the ceramic field. It can act as a refractory material. But other oxides were present in melt titania, it becomes more complex. 

Titania is probably an impurity that was present in kaolin and ball clay. In nanotechnology products, titania is one of the first materials to be introduced. It is odorless and absorbent. It has been used in various industrial products such as adhesives, cosmetics, paint, ceramics, roofing materials, paper, plastic, rubber, automotive products, and catalyst.

Properties of Titanium dioxide

Density: 4.23 g/cm³

Melting point: 1843^oC

Boiling point: 2972^oC

Solubility: Insoluble in water

Molar mass:  79.86 g/mol

Crystal structure:

• Rutile with a tetragonal crystal structure

• Anatase with a tetragonal crystal structure

• Brooktie with an orthorhombic crystal structure

Bulk modulus: 209-218 Gpa

Elastic Modulus: 230 – 288 MPa

Fracture toughness: 2.4-3.3 Mpa.m^1/2

Modulus of rupture: 140- 441 MPa

Tensile strength: 333-367 MPa

Thermal expansion: 8.4 – 11.8 * 10^-6 K

Thermal conductivity: 4.8 – 11.8 W/m.K

• It has the ability to absorb and scatter UV rays property.

• They are having a good hardness, good strength, and ability to withstand temperatures, high tensile strength, and corrosion resistance.

• Due to its unique properties, it is well known in nanotechnology as well as in nanoscience.

Applications of Titanium dioxide

• Titania is used as a coating material to enhance the corrosion resistance of the material. The combination of saltwater and metal always leads to generate corrosion. To overcome this problem, Titania is used.

• It has self-cleaning property so that used in wiping the car as well as in toothpaste, ointment, and bandages.

• If material is exposed to ultraviolet rays, the material will fail. But, titania has good Ultraviolet shielding property and it prevents rays directly from the sun.

• Due to the presence of anti-fogging property, it is used in windows as well as in the car (wiping the water during the rainy season).

• It is used as filler in the paper and plastic industry because of its higher strength, higher hardness, and good fracture toughness.

• It is used as opacifiers in coating areas.

• It is used in the printing industry because of the presence of pigment property.

• In the textile industry, it is used as a pigment to avoid the degradation of fabrics or bleaching of dyes.

• In the rubber industry, titania is used to increase the strength.

• In the sanitary ware industry, hygiene plays an important role and there should be no growth of bacteria takes place. So, titania was used.

• It is used as one of the compositions in paints and varnishes.

• It is used in cosmetics fields like lipstick, sunscreen lotion, nail polish, etc.

• It is extensively used as a catalyst and supports because of its hardness and strength.

• In porcelain enamels, it is used as a bleaching as well as an opacifying agent. Because, it provides acid resistance, hardness, and brightness.

• It is used in the treatment of water, sterilization, removal of air pollutants and offensive odors due to its non-toxicity, good stability and affordable price.

• Most of the hi-tech company constructions are surrounded by glass. Because of this kind of glass construction, periodically have to alter the glass. In this case, titania is used for decorative purposes.

• They are principally used in spacecraft, aircraft, power plants and armor plating due to its corrosion resistance, high tensile strength and withstanding extreme temperatures.

• Other uses such as solar cell production, food coloring, oxygen sensors, tattoo pigment, and styptic pencils.

In this article, we have seen about properties and applications of Titanium dioxide in a better manner. Read also about Aluminium oxide and Zirconium oxide