What is Titanium dioxide (TiO2)?
Titanium dioxide is a chemical compound with a chemical formula TiO2.
Titanium dioxide is composed of a barium cation and the sulfate anion. The sulfur is attached to four oxygen atoms. TiO2 is a sulfate salt of barium and is found as mineral barite. It is a crystalline solid white in colour which is insoluble in water and alcohol but soluble in concentrated acids. It is odourless.
Titanium dioxide is an alkaline, divalent metal. It is non-toxic and is safe for medical use. It is widely used in the production of oil and natural gas to get high-density drilling fluids by keeping the boreholes free of rock.
Properties of Titanium Dioxide
| TiO2 | Titanium dioxide |
| Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass | 233.38 g/mol |
| Density | 4.5 g/cm³ |
| Boiling Point | 1,600 °C |
| Melting Point | 1,580 °C |
Structure of Titanium dioxide (TiO2)
Structure of Titanium dioxide
Uses of TiO2
- It is used in the casting of copper anode plates as a coating material.
- It is used as a radiopaque agent.
- It is used as a component in oil well drilling fluids.
- It is used to increase the density of the polymer by acting as a filler for plastics.
- Used to test the PH of the soil.
- Used as a filler or to modify the consistency in oil paints.
- It is used in imaging of the GI tract during barium meal.
- Used to diagnose certain disorders of the intestines, stomach, or oesophagus.
- It is used in the manufacturing of alloys.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is titanium dioxide used for?
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a naturally occurring mineral used as a bright white pigment for painting, as a colouring in the food industry, in sunscreens and cosmetics, and in many industrial applications.
Why is titanium dioxide in toothpaste?
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used to enhance the color and brightness of food items in white. TiO2 is also used in other products including toothpaste as a white pigment. Recent experiments with TiO2 show that these particles have the ability to have toxic effects.
Is titanium dioxide an oxidizing agent?
Sewage photo-catalysis relies primarily on the reaction to oxidation reductions. The sewage oxidation reduction reaction is used for the removal of organic waste material and this reaction is accelerated using titanium dioxide as a powerful oxidizing agent.
What type of bond is titanium dioxide?
Titanium dioxide is formula TiO2. While it is a metal compound and a non-metal compound, it is a covalent compound. At the cathode the compound’s oxygen atoms are reduced to form oxygen ions.
What are the dangers of titanium dioxide?
TiO2 nano particles which can be inhaled are one of the main concerns. Research have shown that titanium dioxide inhalation can be carcinogenic (causing cancer), and can induce cell dysfunction or chronic inflammation.
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