Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide, whose chemical formula is TiO2, is the ninth most frequent mineral of the earth lithosphere. It occurs in rock and as a constituent part of other minerals. For industrial use, it is processed by specific refining techniques producing a whitish powder. Titanium dioxide is chemically stable, heat resistant, and has a high refractive index. It can be used for many things, for instance as an important white pigment for paints, varnishes, textiles, polymers, and paper. Under the label of E171 it is used as a food additive, and is also found in drugs, toothpastes, and many other products for everyday use.
Nanostructured titanium dioxide, on the other hand, has physical properties completely different from those of its big brother. It is not white, but transparent. It is not used in food, but employed as an effective UV filter in sun creams, textiles, agents for timber protection, and many other products. Because of its energy absorbent properties, nanostructured titanium dioxide can also be used in solar panels. Ultrafine titanium dioxide particles are also components of self-cleaning surfaces; being miniature catalysts, they degrade organic pollutants. In addition, nanostructured titanium dioxide is expected to play a major role in dye-sensitized cells (Grätzel cells), facades, mobile phones, and notebooks.
NanoCare data sheets for download
updated on 16.11.2009
