Titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide is a common chemical compound made from the element titanium. Its chemical formula is TiO₂. When it is used to give things a bright white colour, it is called titanium white, Pigment White 6, or CI 77891.

This white powder does not dissolve in water. It is used in many everyday products because it makes a clean, bright white colour. You can find it in paint, sunscreen, and even some foods where it is used to add colour. In food, it is known by the number E171.

In 2014, the world produced more than 9 million tonnes of titanium dioxide. It is one of the most common pigments, used in two-thirds of all pigments. The value of pigments made from titanium dioxide was estimated to be $13.2 billion.

Structure

Titanium dioxide has a special shape where each titanium atom is connected to six oxygen atoms. The way these atoms fit together can look different depending on the form. Some common forms have patterns called rutile and anatase, while another form is called brookite.

When titanium dioxide is melted, the atoms arrange themselves differently, with each titanium atom connecting to about five oxygen atoms on average. This is different from the solid crystal forms.

Synthetic and geologic occurrence

Titanium dioxide, written as TiO₂, is made from a mineral called ilmenite. In nature, it appears as minerals such as rutile and anatase. Rutile can often be found in beach sand. Another form, called leucoxene, comes from ilmenite changing over time. Some colorful gems like star sapphires and rubies have tiny rutile needles inside that give them a special sparkle called asterism.

Titanium dioxide is known to appear in many different crystal forms. Besides rutile and anatase, there are special forms found only in very high-pressure places, like at the Ries crater in Bavaria. Scientists have also made other forms in laboratories. These different forms show just how strong and interesting this material can be.

Production

The largest processors of titanium dioxide are Chemours, Venator, Kronos, and Tronox. Big companies like Akzo Nobel, PPG Industries, Sherwin Williams, BASF, and Kansai Paints use it to make paints and coatings. In 2010, the world needed about 5.3 million tons of titanium dioxide, and experts expect this need to grow by about 3–4% each year.

There are two main ways to make titanium dioxide. One way is called the chloride process, where ore is mixed with chlorine and carbon to make a liquid that is then turned into titanium dioxide. The other way is the sulfate process, which uses sulfuric acid on a special ore to get titanium dioxide. Both methods create the same form of titanium dioxide, but the sulfate process can also make a softer form used in paper and fibers.

Applications

Pigment

Main article: Titanium white

Titanium dioxide is the most common white color used in paints, plastics, and many products because it shines very brightly. It was first made in large amounts in 1916. Tiny pieces of this material help make things look white and opaque, like in paints, papers, and even toothpaste. In paints, people often call it “brilliant white” because it makes colors look very clean and bright.

Additive for food

Titanium dioxide is used to add white color to many foods, such as ice cream, candies, and cakes. It is allowed in many places, but some countries, like the European Union, stopped letting it be used in food in 2022. In the United States, a company stopped using it in some candies in 2025.

Thin films

When put in very thin layers, titanium dioxide can help make special coatings that shine or change color in the light, like some sparkly paints or cosmetics.

Sunscreen and UV blocking pigments

Titanium dioxide is used in many sunscreens to block harmful sunlight. It works well and is often used in sunscreens for babies or people with sensitive skin because it usually does not irritate the skin. It is also used in some skin care products to help protect the skin from the sun.

Other uses of titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide is used in many other ways, like in ceramics, tattoos, and even in space rockets. It helps make things white and can also help protect materials from sunlight. It is also used in some electronic parts.

Research

Between 2002 and 2022, many inventors created ways to make titanium dioxide from a material called ilmenite. Some of these methods use special steps like heating and separating to get more titanium from ores. Two main ways to make titanium dioxide are the sulfate process and the chloride process. Companies in China, Australia, and the United States have been big parts of these inventions.

Tiny bits of titanium dioxide, especially in a form called anatase, can break down harmful stuff when sunlight shines on them. This happens mostly with ultraviolet light. Scientists found this useful quality in 1967. Because of this, titanium dioxide is added to paints, glasses, and other products to clean the air and surfaces. It can also help make solar cells work better.

Health and safety

Titanium dioxide is used as a whitening agent in many foods, such as cheeses, ice cream, candies, and frostings. In the United States, it is still allowed as a food additive, but some places in Europe have stopped using it because they are unsure about how much is safe to eat.

When titanium dioxide is breathed in as dust, it can be harmful. Special rules exist to protect workers who might be exposed to it for long periods. Most of the titanium dioxide that ends up in the environment comes from things like cosmetics that go down the drain. It mostly ends up in soil rather than water and seems to stay stable there.