Titanium Dioxide (Anatase) Properties
- General properties: White Solid
- Molecular weight: 79.866 g/mol
- Chemical Formula: TiO2
What is Titanium Dioxide (Anatase) ?
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a chemical compound that exists in three basic crystal forms with different crystal structures: anatase, rutile and brookite. These different crystal structures result from the different molecular arrangements of titanium dioxide. Anatase is a crystal form of titanium dioxide and, along with rutile, is one of the two most commonly found forms.
Anatase crystal is a structure found in the tetragonal crystal system, formed at a lower temperature than the rutile crystal. Anatase may differ from rutile in terms of the properties and uses of titanium dioxide.
In Which Industries Is Titanium Dioxide (Anatas) Used?
Anatase, as the crystal form of titanium dioxide (TiO2), is used in various industries. The properties of anatase crystal may be more advantageous than rutile crystal in some applications. Here are some major industries where titanium dioxide anatase crystal is used:
Paint and Coating Industry: Anatase is widely used in the paint and coating industry due to its ability to impart white color. It is especially preferred in interior and exterior wall paints, furniture paints and coatings. Anatase provides excellent opacity (transparency prevention) and makes it possible to achieve high gloss.
Plastic Industry: Anatase is used for whitening and coloring plastic products. Plastic coatings, sheets, profile materials and many plastic products may contain anatase.
Cosmetic Products: Anatase is used in cosmetic products for whitening and providing opacity. This is especially true of products such as foundations, powders and lip balms.
Food Additives: Anatase is used to whiten and add opacity to some food products. It can be used especially in products such as candy coatings and ice cream.
Paper and Film Coating: Anatase is used to whiten paper and plastic films and increase their brightness.
Ceramics: Anatase can be used to turn ceramics into white porcelain.
Sunscreen: Some sunscreens and cosmetic products may contain anatase to protect against UV rays.
Textile: Anatase can be used in the textile industry to whiten fabrics and add opacity.
Anatase forms at lower temperatures compared to rutile crystal and is therefore preferred in some applications. However, both crystal forms have their own advantages and disadvantages, so they are preferred depending on the industry and applications in which they will be used.
How is Titan Dioxide (Anatas) Produced?
The production of anatase as the crystal form of titanium dioxide (TiO2) is achieved by processing the titanium mineral ilmenite or rutile ores. Here are the basic steps of the production process of titanium dioxide anatase:
Ore Recovery: Ilmenite or rutile minerals are naturally occurring ores and are extracted from mines. These minerals are the main raw materials used for the production of titanium dioxide.
Grinding: The extracted ores are subjected to a grinding process and turned into a fine powder. This ensures that the ore is in a suitable form for further processing.
Filtering and Separation: The ground ores are mixed with water and subjected to filtration. During this process, various minerals and wastes are separated from the water and the desired titanium-containing fraction is obtained.
Roasting (Calcination): The resulting titanium-containing fraction is roasted in an oven at high temperatures (usually between 900-1000°C). This roasting process causes the rutile crystal to transform into anatase crystal.
Grinding and Classification: The anatase obtained after roasting is further ground and classified according to the desired particle sizes. This process enables anatase to be turned into a powder with the desired properties.
Packaging and Distribution: The obtained anatase powder is packaged and distributed in packages suitable for industrial use.
Consequently, the production of titanium dioxide anatase involves a series of chemical and physical processes such as milling, leaching, roasting and grinding of ilmenite or rutile ores. These processes enable anatase to be ground into a high-purity powder, making it usable in a variety of industrial applications.