Titanium dioxide uses

Mingpai
2024-06-04 11:41:48

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is an incredibly versatile compound with a broad range of applications due to its unique properties, including high reflectivity, opacity, and stability. Some key uses of titanium dioxide include:

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: As mentioned previously, titanium dioxide serves as a key ingredient in sunscreens and other skincare products as a physical sunscreen agent. It effectively blocks both UVA and UVB rays, protecting the skin from sun damage. It's also used as a pigment in makeup products like foundation, powder, and lipstick to provide whiteness and opacity.
Paints and Coatings: One of the largest applications of titanium dioxide is in the paint industry, where it acts as a whitening pigment and provides opacity and brightness to paints, enamels, and coatings. It improves their durability and resistance to corrosion and weathering.
Plastics: In plastics manufacturing, titanium dioxide is added to enhance the whiteness, opacity, and brightness of plastic products, such as food packaging, toys, and household items. It can also improve heat stability and resistance to UV degradation.
Paper: In the paper industry, titanium dioxide is used as a coating pigment to increase the paper's brightness, giving it a higher-quality appearance. It also improves the printability and reduces ink consumption.
Food Additive: Approved for limited use as a food coloring agent (listed as E171 in Europe), titanium dioxide is used to whiten foods like candies, chewing gum, and cake decorations.
Pharmaceuticals: It is used in some medications as an inactive ingredient or coating, providing a smooth, opaque finish to tablets and capsules.
Photovoltaic Cells: Due to its photocatalytic properties, titanium dioxide is used in certain types of solar cells to enhance energy conversion efficiency.
Self-Cleaning and Photocatalytic Surfaces: When applied as a thin coating on surfaces like tiles or building facades, titanium dioxide can break down pollutants and dirt when exposed to sunlight, providing self-cleaning properties.
Water Treatment: Its photocatalytic properties are harnessed for purifying water by breaking down harmful contaminants.
Electronics: It finds application in electronic devices like LCD displays and optical data storage devices due to its ability to scatter and reflect light effectively.