CAS number:13463-67-7
Molecular Formula:
O2Ti / TiO2
Molecular Weight:
79.866 g/mol
Brief Introduction:
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a versatile and earth-abundant material that is widely used in many fields. In terms of food additives, although the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in 2021 that E171 (food-grade TiO2) may be genotoxic based on some research results and recommended that it should no longer be considered a safe food additive, this conclusion has been questioned by experts from many countries, including the United Kingdom, Health Canada, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These experts pointed out that many of the research methods supporting EFSA's conclusions are not suitable for assessing actual exposure to TiO2 in food, and emphasized that the existing evidence is insufficient to prove that it is harmful to humans. In addition, the application of TiO2 as a nanomaterial in concrete has also shown significant advantages, such as improving mechanical properties, reducing drying shrinkage and water absorption, reducing porosity, and enhancing durability. Studies have shown that when 1.5% TiO2 is added to rubber concrete, the best strength and other performance indicators can be achieved. In sustainable energy technology, although titanium is included in the list of key materials in Europe and the United States due to its high strength and low density, TiO2 itself is not considered a key material, mainly due to its importance in non-energy terminal applications. In general, as a multifunctional material, the application of TiO2 in different fields and its safety assessment are complex and diverse.
Properities:
Crystal Forms | Anatase, Rutile, Brookite [3] |
Bandgap (calcined TiO₂-T) | Decreased with increasing calcination temperature (exact values not specified) [3] |
Nanoparticle Morphology | Spherical; <50 nm (TiO₂-T sample at 600 °C) [3] |
Crystallite Size (anatase < 600 °C) | <100 nm [3] |
Crystallite Size (rutile at 800 °C) | ~82.5 nm (in TiO₂-T) [3] |
Photocatalytic Activity | Higher in anatase; TiO₂-T had better charge carrier recombination suppression [3] |
Ti–O Bond Vibration Frequency | ~500 cm⁻¹ [3] |
Thermal Stability (TiO₂ sample) | Stable up to ~410 °C; 13.5% mass loss [3] |
Thermal Stability (TiO₂-T sample) | Stable up to ~460 °C; 56.2% mass loss [3]. |
BET Surface Area (in composite MTB) | 15.24 m²/g [1]. |
BET Surface Area (in composite MMB) | 13.85 m²/g [1]. |
Pore Size (MTB) | 1.69 nm (microporous) [1]. |
Pore Size (MMB) | 2.13 nm (mesoporous) [1]. |
Characteristic XRD Peaks (Anatase) | 2θ = 25.60°, 38.00°, 48.33°, 60.34°, 73.36° [1]. |
Characteristic XRD Peaks (Rutile) | 2θ = 27.03°, 36.37°, 50.38°, 54.15°, etc. [1]. |
Ti–O–Ti IR Band | ~615.79 cm⁻¹ [1]. |
Point of Zero Charge (pHpzc, MTB) | 5.10 [1]. |
TiO₂ Concentration in Consumer Products | Median: ~597 mg/kg; Range: <1 to 51,000 mg/kg depending on product [2]. |
% Nanoparticles in TiO₂ used in food | 10–73% [2]. |
EFSA Genotoxicity Concern | TiO₂ no longer considered safe as a food additive (E171) due to potential genotoxicity [2]. |
References:
[1]: "The low-cost biosorbents of Mangosteen... for eliminating methylene blue dye" (South African Journal of Chemical Engineering)
[2]: "Titanium dioxide levels in food and other ingested consumer products: A systematic review" (Food Chemistry Advances)
[3]: "Use of cassava starch (tapioca) in the synthesis of nanosized titanium dioxide..." (Next Materials)
As a metal oxide, TiO₂ is considered an inorganic compound.
Titanium Dioxide is widely used as a white pigment in paints, coatings, plastics, and cosmetics, categorized as a pigment.
TiO₂ is known for its photocatalytic properties, often used in applications such as self-cleaning surfaces and water purification.
TiO₂ is a member of the oxide family, as it is composed of titanium and oxygen atoms.
TiO₂ nanoparticles are used in various applications, including sunscreen, due to their high surface area and UV-blocking properties.
Titanium Dioxide is used in food and pharmaceuticals as a coloring agent, although its use in food has been questioned in some countries due to health concerns.
Chemtoo
Chemical Procurement Assistant