Pure titanium dioxide does not occur in nature but is derived from ilmenite or leuxocene[?] ores. It is also readily mined in one of the purest forms, rutile beach sand.
An important use of titanium dioxide is in powder form as a pigment for providing whiteness and opacity to such products such as paints and coatings[?] but also plastics, paper, inks, food and cosmetics.
Titanium dioxide is by far the most widely used white pigment, it is very white and has a very high refractive index — only surpassed by diamond.
The high refractive index and bright white colour of titanium dioxide make it an effective opacifier for pigments.
One of its other major advantages is its resistance to discoloration under UV light.
Titanium dioxide, also known as titania is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula TiO2.
General
Name
Titanium (IV) oxide
Chemical formula
TiO2
Appearance
White solid
Physical
Formula weight
79.9 amu
Melting point
~2103 K (1830 °C)
Boiling point
~2773 K (2500 °C)
Density
4.2 ×103 kg/m3
Crystal structure
rutile
Solubility
insoluble
Thermochemistry
ΔfH0gas
-249 kJ/mol
ΔfH0liquid
-879 kJ/mol
ΔfH0solid
-944 kJ/mol
S0solid
51 J/mol·K
Safety
Ingestion
Low hazard for accidental ingestion.
Inhalation
Irritating, dangerous in the long term.
Skin
Low hazard.
Eyes
Low hazard.
More info
Hazardous Chemical Database (http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/erd/chemicals/8/7752.html)
SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.