PRODUCTS

E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE

E171 Titanium dioxide is used as a white pigment in a variety of foodstuffs including candy, coffee creamer, baking and cake decorations, and white sauces.
E171 Titanium dioxide can be used to color cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, pet foods and foods including confectionery goods, bakery products, dairy products, cheeses, icings and decorations, frozen desserts, non-dairy creamers, and dried soup.

CAS Number: 13463-67-7
EC Number: 236-675-5
Molecular Formula: TiO₂
Molecular Weight: 79.87 g/mol

SYNONYMS:
Titanium dioxide, Titanium(IV) oxide, Titania, CI Pigment White 6, E171, Rutile, Anatase, Titanium dioxide, Titanium(IV) oxide, Titania, Rutile, Anatase, Brookite, Titanium peroxide, Titanium(iv) oxide, Pigment white 6, CI No. 77891, Titania, Titanium white, Titanium(IV) oxide, Titanium dioxide, Titanium oxide, Titania, Titanium white (in pigment context), E171 (European food additive code), CI 77891 (Color Index number used in cosmetics and pigments), Pigment White 6 (PW6), Titanium white pigment, TiO₂ pigment, Titanium white powder

E171 Titanium dioxide occurs as a white, amorphous powder.
E171 Titanium dioxide is produced by either the sulfate or the chloride process, and processing conditions determine the form, either anatase or rutile, of the final product.

E171 Titanium dioxide is a widespread food additive mainly used as whitening and brightening agent in cheeses, sauces, skimmed milk, ice cream, confectionery products, sweets, candies, chewing gum, pastries, and cookies.
E171 Titanium dioxide can also be found in cosmetics and medications.
E171 Titanium dioxide is labeled as TiO2 or E171.

E171 Titanium dioxide - Also known as Pigment White 6 or Colour Index number CI77891, is the principal white colourant used in many cosmetic and food products today.
E171 Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is used as a food additive (E171) and can be found in sauces, icings, and chewing gums, as well as in personal care products such as toothpaste and pharmaceutical tablets.

E171 Titanium dioxide (TiO2), also known as E171, is very commonly used as a white colourant in food, but also in paints, coatings, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and even in toothpaste.
E171 Titanium dioxide is a mix of TiO2 particles which can be defined as nanoparticles.
Because of their extremely small size, nanoparticles can squeeze through natural protective barriers of the human body and pass into the liver, lungs or the whole digestive system.

Food additive E 171 E171 Titanium dioxide is an inorganic, insoluble, white artificial colouring with very good stability to light, heat, oxidation and pH changes.
Its chemical name is E171 Titanium dioxide.

In nature E171 Titanium dioxide exists in the form of three crystalline modifications:
– rutile,
– anatas and
– brookite.

The rutile and the anastasis have a quadratic lattice and the bookit has a rhombic lattice.
E171 Titanium dioxide consists mainly of pure E171 Titanium dioxide in the form of anatase and/or rutile which may be coated with small amounts of alumina and/or silica to improve the technological properties of the product.
E171 Titanium dioxide is an inorganic compound widely used as a white pigment and opacifying agent.

E171 Titanium dioxide occurs naturally in mineral forms such as rutile, anatase, and brookite.
Due to its exceptional whiteness, brightness, and high refractive index, E171 Titanium dioxide has been extensively used as a food additive.
E171 Titanium dioxide (TiO2), the naturally occurring oxide of titanium which generally comes from rutile & anatase.

E171 Titanium dioxide is the most widely used white food coloring, and also finds application in cosmetics, paints and coatings for its brightness, opaqueness and high refractive index (ability to scatter light).
When used in food, E171 Titanium dioxide is safe, natural, vegan, halal, kosher and gluten-free with the European food additive number E171.

USES and APPLICATIONS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
E171 Titanium dioxide (E171) is authorized as a food additive in the EU as a coloring agent to make food more visually appealing.
E171 Titanium dioxide is also present in cosmetics, paints, and medicines.
The main food categories contributing to dietary exposure of E171 Titanium dioxideare fine bakery wares, soups, broths, sauces, and processed nuts.

A small fraction of the poorly soluble E171 Titanium dioxide particles consists of nanoparticles.
Soap: E171 Titanium dioxide is commonly used to enhance the color from grey or cream to white, or to lighten other colors in soap making.
E171 Titanium dioxide can be used to color cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, pet foods and foods including confectionery goods, bakery products, dairy products, cheeses, icings and decorations, frozen desserts, non-dairy creamers, and dried soup.

E171 Titanium dioxide is the most widely used colorant in food, personal care, paints, coatings, paper, plastics, paper, inks and fibers because of its brightening and whitening properties.
The rapid development of nano-sized E171 Titanium dioxide in sunscreen also can be witnessed.

E171 Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a food coloring agent known by the food additive code E171.
Used as a coloring agent, E171 Titanium dioxide is also known as titanium white.
Raw E171 Titanium dioxide is obtained by purifying titanium tetrachloride.

This process is carried out in two ways: sulfate and chlorine processes.
Commercial E171 Titanium dioxide is not pure; it is a synthetic pigment.
E171 Titanium dioxide is the largest expense in paint manufacturers' purchasing budgets.

E171 Titanium dioxide's use is mainly in building/construction (50% of purchases) and industrial (30% of purchases) paints.
E171 Titanium dioxide is used less in automotive and furniture paints.
E171 Titanium dioxide is the most widely used white pigment in the world.

Only diamonds have a higher refractive index than E171 Titanium dioxide.
Refractive index is a measure of the ability of light to bend.
This determines opacity and coverage.

Only magnesium oxide is whiter than E171 Titanium dioxide.
However, this substance has a much lower refractive index than E171 Titanium dioxide.
This means that much more magnesium oxide is needed to achieve the desired opacity.

Therefore, in practice, E171 Titanium dioxide is preferred.
In addition to its use as a food coloring, E171 Titanium dioxide is also used in the production of paints and sunscreens.
It is widely used because E171 Titanium dioxide effectively disperses visible light, giving paints and coatings whiteness, gloss, and opacity.

In the food industry, E171 Titanium dioxide is used particularly in many white products such as confectionery, chewing gum, baking powder, and white roasted chickpeas.
The most important function of E171 Titanium dioxide is as a pigment, providing brightness, whiteness, and opacity in paints and coatings, as well as in plastics, paper, inks, fibers, pharmaceuticals (in pills and tablets), food, and cosmetics.

Thanks to this property, E171 Titanium dioxide is used as a white pigment for surface coatings, to separate layers in products, and as a whitening agent in toothpaste.
E171 Titanium dioxide is a mineral used in cosmetics as a thickener, whitening agent, lubricant, and sunblock.
E171 Titanium dioxide protects the skin from UVA and UVB radiation and poses no risk of skin irritation.

The most common known application of the catalytic effect of light, or photocatalysis, is in the cleanup of environmental pollution.
Thus, when light and suitable materials are combined, the cleaning process occurs spontaneously.
During the day, the average UV emission in our environment is around one milliwatt per square centimeter.

In indoor lighting, this rate drops to one-thousandth of that.
Even with this low level of UV radiation, a cleaning process begins when combined with E171 Titanium dioxide in the appropriate structure.
However, the E171 Titanium dioxide used for photocatalytic effects differs in structure from that used in the paint, cosmetics, and food industries.

The photocatalytic effect of E171 Titanium dioxide occurs when it comes into contact with light, breaking down organic matter.
When used positively, this means eliminating unwanted organic matter (dirt, germs, bacteria, odors, and harmful organic chemicals) from the air, water, and various surfaces around us.

E171 Titanium dioxide is used extensively in plastics and other applications as a white pigment or an opacifier and for its UV resistant properties where the powder disperses light – unlike organic UV absorbers – and reduces UV damage, due mostly to the particle's high refractive index.
In ceramic glazes, E171 Titanium dioxide acts as an opacifier and seeds crystal formation.

E171 Titanium dioxide is used as a tattoo pigment and in styptic pencils.
E171 Titanium dioxide is produced in varying particle sizes which are both oil and water dispersible, and in certain grades for the cosmetic industry.

E171 Titanium dioxide is also a common ingredient in toothpaste.
The exterior of the Saturn V rocket was painted with E171 Titanium dioxide; this later allowed astronomers to determine that J002E3 was likely the S-IVB stage from Apollo 12 and not an asteroid.

E171 Titanium dioxide is an n-type semiconductor and is used in dye-sensitized solar cells.
E171 Titanium dioxide is also used in other electronics components such as electrodes in batteries.
Uses of E171 Titanium dioxide: Sunscreen and UV blocking pigments

In cosmetic and skin care products, E171 Titanium dioxide is used as a pigment, sunscreen and a thickener.
As a sunscreen, ultrafine E171 Titanium dioxide is used, which is notable in that combined with ultrafine zinc oxide, it is considered to be an effective sunscreen that lowers the incidence of sun burns and minimizes the premature photoaging, photocarcinogenesis and immunosuppression associated with long term excess sun exposure.

Sometimes these UV blockers are combined with iron oxide pigments in sunscreen to increase visible light protection.
E171 Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are generally considered to be less harmful to coral reefs than sunscreens that include chemicals such as oxybenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate.
Nanosized E171 Titanium dioxide is found in the majority of physical sunscreens because of its strong UV light absorbing capabilities and its resistance to discolouration under ultraviolet light.

This advantage enhances E171 Titanium dioxide's stability and ability to protect the skin from ultraviolet light.
Nano-scaled (particle size of 20–40 nm) E171 Titanium dioxide particles are primarily used in sunscreen lotion because they scatter visible light much less than E171 Titanium dioxide pigments, and can give UV protection.

Sunscreens designed for infants or people with sensitive skin are often based on E171 Titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, as these mineral UV blockers are believed to cause less skin irritation than other UV absorbing chemicals.
Nano-E171 Titanium dioxide, which blocks both UV-A and UV-B radiation, is used in sunscreens and other cosmetic products.
The EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety considered nano sized E171 Titanium dioxide to be safe for skin applications, in concentrations of up to 25 percent based on animal testing.

The risk assessment of different E171 Titanium dioxide nanomaterials in sunscreen is currently evolving since nano-sized TiO2 is different from the well-known micronized form.
The rutile form is generally used in cosmetic and sunscreen products due to it not possessing any observed ability to damage the skin under normal conditions and having a higher UV absorption.

In 2016 Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) tests concluded that the use of nano E171 Titanium dioxide (95–100% rutile, ≦5% anatase) as a UV filter can be considered to not pose any risk of adverse effects in humans post-application on healthy skin, except in the case the application method would lead to substantial risk of inhalation (ie; powder or spray formulations).
This safety opinion applied to nano TiO2 in concentrations of up to 25%.

E171 Titanium dioxide has a wide range of applications.
In the food industry, E171 Titanium dioxide has been used as a whitening and opacifying agent (E171) in products such as confectionery, chewing gum, sauces, and bakery items.

In the pharmaceutical industry, E171 Titanium dioxide is used as a coating agent for tablets and capsules to provide opacity and protect light-sensitive ingredients.
In the cosmetic industry, E171 Titanium dioxide is widely used in sunscreens due to its ability to reflect and scatter UV radiation, providing effective UV protection.

In the industrial sector, E171 Titanium dioxide is one of the most important pigments used in paints, coatings, plastics, paper, and inks due to its superior opacity and durability.
The functional performance of E171 Titanium dioxide depends strongly on its particle size, surface treatment, and crystal structure.

Nano-sized particles are increasingly used in advanced applications.
E171 Titanium dioxide’s photocatalytic properties are exploited in environmental applications such as air and water purification.
Its widespread industrial use makes E171 Titanium dioxide one of the most important inorganic compounds globally in terms of production volume.

-Food coloring uses of E171 Titanium dioxide:
E171 Titanium dioxide is a multi-purpose ingredient that can be used as a color, drying agent, anticaking agent, humectant, nutrient supplement and surface-finishing agent in food.
E171 Titanium dioxide's primary use is as white color to impart the whiteness and brightness effect in food processing.
E171 Titanium dioxide is a common additive that makes food look brighter and more appealing to eat.

-The following food may with E171 Titanium dioxide:
*Milk
*Coffee creamers
*Salad dressing
*Candies, chocolate, sweets and chewing gums
*Snacks
*Sauce
*Vitamin supplements

-Medicine use of E171 Titanium dioxide:
E171 Titanium dioxide can be used as a color additive for drugs and can be combined with silicon dioxide, and/or aluminum oxide as diluents.
E171 Titanium dioxide is used to add whiteness and also acts as a protective coating to preserve the active ingredient in pharmaceutical tablets and capsules.

-Cosmetics use of E171 Titanium dioxide:
E171 Titanium dioxide functions as a cosmetic colorant, opacifying, UV absorber, and UV filter in cosmetic and personal care products.
FDA claimed the color additive E171 Titanium dioxide may be safely used in cosmetics and cosmetics for the eye.
Following cosmetics may contain E171 Titanium dioxide:
*Foundations
*Eye shadows
*Lipsticks
*Makeup powder
*Creams
*Lotions
*Shampoo
*A White Color

E171 Titanium dioxide has two functions in cosmetics.
E171 Titanium dioxide can be used as a decorative for its white and bright color.
Cosmetic manufacturers use this ingredient to create various shades in mineral makeup foundations and lipsticks to suit all skin types.

-UVA and UVB Block uses of E171 Titanium dioxide:
Also, E171 Titanium dioxide has some functions in protecting the skin from sunburn and premature aging due to harmful ultraviolet radiation.
E171 Titanium dioxide's nanopowder (also called micronized E171 Titanium dioxide), a very fine powder, no longer gives the product a white color, but has a strong effect in defending UVA and UVB compared with the pigment grade and used widely in suncare products.

-Toothpaste use of E171 Titanium dioxide:
Its purpose is to whiten toothpaste and give E171 Titanium dioxide a more appealing appearance.
There is a misunderstanding that E171 Titanium dioxide in toothpaste is used as a detergent.

-Paints and Coatings use of E171 Titanium dioxide:
In paints, E171 Titanium dioxide is mainly used as a white pigment and other white pigments cannot compete with its opacity.
E171 Titanium dioxide is not only used in white paints, also added for rich color effects by coloring shades.

For example, E171 Titanium dioxide t can be used in the following common paints applications:
*Latex paints
*Anticorrosive paints
*Furniture paints
*Traffic paints
*Container paints
*Auto paints
It is said in TDMA’s website that more than 90% of paints and coatings contain E171 Titanium dioxide.

-Pigment uses of E171 Titanium dioxide:
First mass-produced in 1916, E171 Titanium dioxide is the most widely used white pigment because of its brightness and very high refractive index, in which it is surpassed only by a few other materials (see list of indices of refraction).
E171 Titanium dioxide crystal size is ideally around 220 nm (measured by electron microscope) to optimize the maximum reflection of visible light.

However, abnormal grain growth is often observed in E171 Titanium dioxide, particularly in its rutile phase.
The occurrence of abnormal grain growth brings about a deviation of a small number of crystallites from the mean crystal size and modifies the physical behaviour of E171 Titanium dioxide.

The optical properties of the finished pigment are highly sensitive to purity.
As little as a few parts per million (ppm) of certain metals (Cr, V, Cu, Fe, Nb) can disturb the crystal lattice so much that the effect can be detected in quality control.

Approximately 4.6 million tons of pigmentary E171 Titanium dioxide are used annually worldwide, and this number is expected to increase as use continues to rise.
E171 Titanium dioxide is also an effective opacifier in powder form, where it is employed as a pigment to provide whiteness and opacity to products such as paints, coatings, plastics, papers, inks, foods, supplements, medicines (i.e. pills and tablets), and most toothpastes.

In 2019, E171 Titanium dioxide was present in two-thirds of toothpastes on the French market.
In paint, E171 Titanium dioxide is often referred to offhandedly as "brilliant white", "the perfect white", "the whitest white", or other similar terms.
Opacity is improved by optimal sizing of the E171 Titanium dioxide particles.

-E171 Titanium dioxide is additive for food
Often used as color in food, E171 Titanium dioxide is commonly found in ice creams, chocolates, all types of candy, creamers, desserts, marshmallows, chewing gum, pastries, spreads, dressings, cakes, some cheeses, and many other foods.
E171 Titanium dioxide is permitted in many countries, but was banned for use in food by the European Union in 2022.
While permitted in the United States, Mars removed it from their Skittles confectionery in 2025, although a class-action lawsuit against the use of E171 Titanium dioxide in Skittles had been dismissed in 2022.

-Thin films use of E171 Titanium dioxide:
When deposited as a thin film, its refractive index and colour make E171 Titanium dioxide an excellent reflective optical coating for dielectric mirrors.
E171 Titanium dioxide is also used in generating decorative thin films such as found in "mystic fire topaz".

Some grades of modified titanium based pigments as used in sparkly paints, plastics, finishes and cosmetics – these are man-made pigments whose particles have two or more layers of various oxides – often E171 Titanium dioxide, iron oxide or alumina – in order to have glittering, iridescent and or pearlescent effects similar to crushed mica or guanine-based products.

In addition to these effects a limited colour change is possible in certain formulations depending on how and at which angle the finished product is illuminated and the thickness of the oxide layer in E171 Titanium dioxide particle; one or more colours appear by reflection while the other tones appear due to interference of the transparent E171 Titanium dioxide layers.
In some products, the layer of E171 Titanium dioxide is grown in conjunction with iron oxide by calcination of titanium salts (sulfates, chlorates) around 800 °C.

One example of a pearlescent pigment is Iriodin, based on mica coated with E171 Titanium dioxide or iron (III) oxide.
The iridescent effect in these titanium oxide particles is unlike the opaque effect obtained with usual ground titanium oxide pigment obtained by mining, in which case only a certain diameter of E171 Titanium dioxide is considered and the effect is due only to scattering.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
E171 Titanium dioxide is a white, odorless, tasteless powder with very high opacity and brightness.
E171 Titanium dioxide is insoluble in water and most organic solvents.
E171 Titanium dioxide has a very high melting point of approximately 1843°C and a boiling point around 2972°C.

E171 Titanium dioxide is chemically stable under normal conditions and resistant to heat, light, and chemical attack.
E171 Titanium dioxide exists in three main crystalline forms: rutile (most stable), anatase, and brookite.
Rutile is the most commonly used form due to E171 Titanium dioxide's superior stability and optical properties.

E171 Titanium dioxide has a high refractive index (one of the highest among white pigments), which contributes to its excellent light-scattering ability and opacity.
Although chemically inert, E171 Titanium dioxide can exhibit photocatalytic activity, especially in the anatase form, generating reactive oxygen species under UV light.

E171 Titanium dioxide is non-volatile and exhibits low solubility.
E171 Titanium dioxide's density is approximately 3.9–4.2 g/cm³ depending on the crystal form.

CHARACTERISTICS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
E171 Titanium dioxide is characterized by:
Exceptional whiteness and brightness
Very high opacity and covering power
High refractive index
Chemical and thermal stability
Insolubility in water and organic solvents
Photocatalytic activity (especially anatase form)
Low reactivity under normal conditions

ADVANTAGES OVER CHEMICAL ABSORBERS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
In sunscreen cosmetics, nano E171 Titanium dioxide is used as a physical way to defend against UVA and UVB by scattering and absorbing ultraviolet rays while the common method to absorb ultraviolet rays is using chemicals.
Common chemically synthesized UV absorbers are as follows:
UVA absorbers: oxybenzone, menthyl anthranilate, and dibenzoylmethane.
UVB absorbers: methoxycinnamate Ester (OMC), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (MBC).

BENEFITS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
E171 Titanium dioxide offers several functional advantages:
E171 Titanium dioxide provides excellent whiteness and opacity
E171 Titanium dioxide enhances product appearance and brightness
E171 Titanium dioxide protects sensitive ingredients from light degradation
E171 Titanium dioxide offers UV-blocking properties in cosmetics
Chemically stable and long-lasting

HOW IS E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE OBTAINED?
E171 Titanium dioxide can be obtained by cold or hot hydrolysis of TiCl solutions4 , which occurs in the presence of SO42- , PO43- ions or an excess of Cl– or NO3 ions, as well as by direct oxygen oxidation of TiCl4 in the vapour phase.
E171 Titanium dioxide can also be obtained by hot hydrolysis of titanium or TiO2 XH2 O sulphide solutions by dehydration and heating to 700o C (currently NaF, borate or barium phosphate as mineraliser).

Hydrated E171 Titanium dioxide, obtained by such methods, is transformed by calcination and subsequent treatment into the product used as pigment.
E171 Titanium dioxide is presented as a white amorphous powder.

E171 Titanium dioxide is insoluble in water, organic solvents and alkali hydroxides, but is readily soluble in hydrofluoric acid, hot concentrated sulphuric acid and in the melts of alkali hydroxides or carbonates.
By heating the E171 Titanium dioxide powder to 250-6000 C in an oxidizing atmosphere, a yellow-brown to greenish-brown coloration occurs, but disappears on cooling.

At temperatures above 29270 C it decomposes into Ti2 O3 and O2.
E171 Titanium dioxide and O2 has a density of 3.6-3.95 g/cm3 for the anatase form and 4.1-4.4 g/cm3 for the brookite and rutile forms.

Melts at 1855o C.
The loss on drying of the additive at 1050 C for 3 hours is maximum 0,5% and on burning at 800 o C maximum 1% relative to the volatile-free product.

Certain rutile forms of E171 Titanium dioxide are produced using mica (also known as potassium aluminium silicate) as a template to form the basic granular structure.
Mica is surface coated with E171 Titanium dioxide using a specialised patented process.

E171 Titanium dioxide rutile in granular form is manufactured by subjecting the pearlescent pigment consisting of mica coated with E171 Titanium dioxide (rutile) to an extractive dissolution in an acid medium followed by an extractive dissolution in alkali.
By this process all mica is removed and the resulting product is a granular form of rutile E171 Titanium dioxide.

WHICH FOODS CONTAIN E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE?
E171 Titanium dioxide is used as a food colour (E171), its technological function is to make food more visually attractive, to give colour to otherwise colourless food or to restore the original appearance of food.

Food colour E171 Titanium dioxide is used in:
– candy making,
– matt white finish or as a base for other colours,
– colouring of some cheeses,
– chewing gum manufacture,
– chocolate and ice cream making,
– making creams, soups, sauces (for infants, young children and adolescents),
– manufacture of bakery products, cakes or other pastry products,
– manufacture of tomato paste type broth,
– processed fish and fishery products, including molluscs and crustaceans,
– unprocessed fish,
– unprocessed molluscs and crustaceans,
– production of fruit and vegetable preparations (except compotes),
– manufacture of food supplements, etc.
E171 Titanium dioxide is available in both water- and oil-dispersible forms, as suspensions in water, glycerine, propylene glycol, glucose syrups, vegetable oils.

WHAT ELSE CAN E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE BE USED FOR?
E171 Titanium dioxide is approved as an ingredient in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
E171 Titanium dioxide, which is not in nanoparticle form, is not absorbed on the skin.
E171 Titanium dioxide acts as a physical UV protective barrier.

E171 Titanium dioxide increases the opacity of other pigments in make-up products and improves their adhesion to the skin.
E171 Titanium dioxide reduces the transparency of cosmetic compositions.

E171 Titanium dioxide as a white pigment is used in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, adhesives, plastics, rubber, textiles, ceramics, white cement, roofing materials, white cement, floor coatings, paper and printing inks.
E171 Titanium dioxide is used as a white pigment, it must have a high purity.
E171 Titanium dioxide's opacity and brilliance come from its ability to scatter light.

E171 Titanium dioxide is brighter than diamond.
Only rutile and anatase have good pigmenting properties.
In the textile industry, E171 Titanium dioxide is used in yarn guides so that the yarns slide smoothly during spinning.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE?
The table below shows the specifications set for E171 Titanium dioxide by Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

E171 Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a synthetically produced white pigment, manufactured from naturally occurring ores.
E171 Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium(IV) oxide or titania /taɪˈteɪniə/, is the inorganic compound derived from titanium with the chemical formula TiO2.

When used as a pigment, E171 Titanium dioxide is called titanium white, Pigment White 6 (PW6), or CI 77891.
E171 Titanium dioxide is a white solid that is insoluble in water, although mineral forms can appear black.
As a pigment, E171 Titanium dioxide has a wide range of applications, including paint, sunscreen, and food coloring.

When used as a food coloring, E171 Titanium dioxide has E number E171.
World production in 2014 exceeded 9 million tonnes.
It has been estimated that E171 Titanium dioxide is used in two-thirds of all pigments, and pigments based on the oxide have been valued at a price of $13.2 billion.

STRUCTURE of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
In all three of its main dioxides, titanium exhibits octahedral geometry, being bonded to six oxide anions.
The oxides in turn are bonded to three Ti centers.
The overall crystal structures of rutile and anatase are tetragonal in symmetry whereas brookite is orthorhombic.

The oxygen substructures are all slight distortions of close packing: in rutile, the oxide anions are arranged in distorted hexagonal close-packing, whereas they are close to cubic close-packing in anatase and to "double hexagonal close-packing" for brookite.
The rutile structure is widespread for other metal dioxides and difluorides, e.g. RuO2 and ZnF2.
Molten E171 Titanium dioxide has a local structure in which each Ti is coordinated to, on average, about 5 oxygen atoms.
This is distinct from the crystalline forms in which Ti coordinates to 6 oxygen atoms.

SYNTHETIC AND GEOLOGIC OCCURRENCE of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
Synthetic E171 Titanium dioxide is mainly produced from the mineral ilmenite.
Rutile, and anatase, naturally occurring TiO2, occur widely also, e.g. rutile as a 'heavy mineral' in beach sand.
Leucoxene, fine-grained anatase formed by natural alteration of ilmenite, is yet another ore.
Star sapphires and rubies get their asterism from oriented inclusions of rutile needles.

MINERALOGY AND UNCOMMON POLYMORPHS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
E171 Titanium dioxide occurs in nature as the minerals rutile and anatase.
Additionally two high-pressure forms are known minerals: a monoclinic baddeleyite-like form known as akaogiite, and the other has a slight monoclinic distortion of the orthorhombic α-PbO2 structure and is known as riesite.

Both of which can be found at the Ries crater in Bavaria.
It is mainly sourced from ilmenite, which is the most widespread E171 Titanium dioxide-bearing ore around the world.
Rutile is the next most abundant and contains around 98% E171 Titanium dioxide in the ore.

The metastable anatase and brookite phases convert irreversibly to the equilibrium rutile phase upon heating above temperatures in the range 600–800 °C (1,110–1,470 °F).
E171 Titanium dioxide has twelve known polymorphs – in addition to rutile, anatase, brookite, akaogiite and riesite, three metastable phases can be produced synthetically (monoclinic, tetragonal, and orthorhombic ramsdellite-like), and four high-pressure forms (α-PbO2-like, cotunnite-like, orthorhombic OI, and cubic phases) also exist.

E171 Titanium dioxide is insoluble in water, organic solvents, and inorganic acids.
E171 Titanium dioxide is slightly soluble in alkali, soluble in saturated potassium bicarbonate, and can be completely dissolved in strong sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid after boiling for a long time.

The cotunnite-type phase was claimed to be the hardest known oxide with the Vickers hardness of 38 GPa and the bulk modulus of 431 GPa (i.e. close to diamond's value of 446 GPa) at atmospheric pressure.
However, later studies came to different conclusions with much lower values for both the hardness (7–20 GPa, which makes it softer than common oxides like corundum Al2O3 and rutile TiO2) and bulk modulus (~300 GPa).

E171 Titanium dioxide (B) is found as a mineral in magmatic rocks and hydrothermal veins, as well as weathering rims on perovskite.
E171 Titanium dioxide also forms lamellae in other minerals.

PRODUCTION of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
The largest E171 Titanium dioxide pigment processors are Chemours, Venator, Kronos, and Tronox.
Major paint and coating company end users for pigment grade E171 Titanium dioxide include Akzo Nobel, PPG Industries, Sherwin Williams, BASF, and Kansai Paints.

Global E171 Titanium dioxide pigment demand for 2010 was 5.3 Mt with annual growth expected to be about 3–4%.
The production method depends on the feedstock.
In addition to ores, other feedstocks include upgraded slag.

Both the chloride process and the sulfate process (both described below) produce E171 Titanium dioxide pigment in the rutile crystal form, but the sulfate process can be adjusted to produce the anatase form.
Anatase, being softer, is used in fiber and paper applications.
The sulfate process is run as a batch process; the chloride process is run as a continuous process.

CHLORIDE PROCESS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
In chloride process, the ore is treated with chlorine and carbon to give titanium tetrachloride, a volatile liquid that is further purified by distillation.
The TiCl4 is treated with oxygen to regenerate chlorine and produce the E171 Titanium dioxide.

SULFATE PROCESS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
In the sulfate process, ilmenite is treated with sulfuric acid to extract iron(II) sulfate pentahydrate.
This process requires concentrated ilmenite (45–60% TiO2) or pretreated feedstocks as a suitable source of titanium.
The resulting synthetic rutile is further processed according to the specifications of the end user, i.e. pigment grade or otherwise.
Examples of plants using the sulfate process are the Sorel-Tracy plant of QIT-Fer et Titane and the Eramet Titanium & Iron smelter in Tyssedal Norway.

BECHER PROCESS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
The Becher process is another method for the production of synthetic rutile from ilmenite.
It first oxidizes the ilmenite as a means to separate the iron component.

SPECIALIZED METHODS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
For specialty applications, TiO2 films are prepared by various specialized chemistries.
Sol-gel routes involve the hydrolysis of titanium alkoxides such as titanium ethoxide:
Ti(OEt)4 + 2 H2O → TiO2 + 4 EtOH
A related approach that also relies on molecular precursors involves chemical vapor deposition.
In this method, the alkoxide is volatilized and then decomposed on contact with a hot surface:
Ti(OEt)4 → TiO2 + 2 Et2O

TWO TYPES OF E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
Generally, there are two grades of E171 Titanium dioxide, pigment grade and nano grade according to its different particle sizes and the corresponding uses.
E171 Titanium dioxide can also be classified into rutile and anatase grade based on the sources.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PIGMENT GRADE AND NANO GRADE of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
E171 Titanium dioxide grade is also known as titanium white, pigment white 6 or CI 77891, it is the whitest and brightest of all known pigments and most used in food, paints and coatings.
The nano-sized (particle size less than 100nm), which is transparent rather than white, with improved ability in scattering and absorbing ultraviolet light than pigment grade.
E171 Titanium dioxide's main uses are in cosmetics and also as a photocatalyst in specified industries.

PHOTOCATALYST of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
E171 Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have photocatalytic characteristics in exhibiting oxidation-reducing properties under exposure to UV radiation by coatings of metals, compound semiconductors, inorganic chemicals and so on, which can be utilized to decompose environmental pollutants, such as for air and water purification.

HOW IS E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE MADE?
E171 Titanium dioxide naturally exists in different crystalline forms, anatase and rutile are the two most common and commercial forms.
E171 Titanium dioxide produced from anatase is a white powder, while from rutile is off-white and may exhibit a slight color.
E171 Titanium dioxide may be coated with small amounts of alumina and/or silica to improve the technological properties of the product.

Commercial E171 Titanium dioxide pigment is generally produced by either the sulfate or chloride process.
The main raw materials include ilmenite (iron titanium oxide, FeO / TiO2 or FeTiO3), natural rutile and titanium slag.
The sulfate method is the earlier method but due to environmental and cost issues, the chloride process is currently preferred by the manufacturers.

SULFATE PROCESS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
E171 Titanium dioxide in titanium slag, anatase and rutile can be refined by the sulfate method.

FROM TITANIUM SLAG of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
The manufacturing process as follows:
Dissolving titanium-containing slag with sulfuric acid and then diluted with water or dilute acid.

Most of the solubilized E171 Titanium dioxide from the ore is in the form of titanium oxysulfate, and iron ions exhibit in its divalent oxidation form, which can be filtered and removed by crystallization to form ferrous sulfate (FeSO4 • 7H2O).
Other impurities like silica are removed by sedimentation.

TiO2 is obtained by hydrolysis of titanyl oxysulfate.
Washed with water, calcined and micronized.
Here is the reaction equation:
FeTiO3+H2SO4=TiOSO4+FeSO4+2H2O
TiOSO4+2H2O=TiO2•H2O+H2SO4

FROM ANATASE AND RUTILE of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
To extract E171 Titanium dioxide in anatase and rutile, part of the clarified liquid needs to be neutralized with alkali in order to produce anatase microcrystals.
Then put these microcrystals back to the reaction for hydrolysis to generate anatase crystals.
Finally, washed with water, calcined and micronized at 800-850 °C (for anatase) or 900-930 °C (for rutile).

CHLORIDE PROCESS of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
There are common two flow charts as follows:
The reaction between chlorine and rutile in a fluidized bed reactor at a high temperature of 800-1200 °C, and rutile is converted to titanium tetrachloride anhydrous under reducing conditions.

Titanium tetrachloride is transformed into E171 Titanium dioxide after purification and goes through a high-temperature oxidation method OR reacting with water vapor at a high temperature of 900-1400 °C.
Finally, washed, calcined and micronized.

Here is the reaction equation:
TiCl4+O2=TiO2+2Cl2 OR TiCl4+H2O=TiO2+HCl
Alternatively, the titanium-containing ore reacts with a certain concentration of chloride to form a titanium tetrachloride aqueous solution, which is then further purified, crushed, filtered, washed, calcined and subsequently reactions to obtain the final product.

PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
Appearance: White, odorless, fine powder
Color: Bright white (high opacity and brightness)
Texture: Very fine particulate (micron or nano-sized depending on grade)
Density: ~4.0–4.2 g/cm³
Melting point: ~1843 °C (3360 °F)
Boiling point: ~2972 °C (5382 °F)
Solubility in water: Insoluble
Solubility in organic solvents: Insoluble in most solvents
Refractive index: Very high (~2.5–2.7), which gives strong light-scattering ability

Opacity: Extremely high (excellent whitening and covering power)
Particle form: Exists mainly as crystalline particles (anatase or rutile forms)
Chemical formula: TiO₂
Molar mass: 79.87 g/mol
Chemical stability: Highly stable under normal conditions
Reactivity: Chemically inert in most environments
Acid resistance: Resistant to weak acids; slowly dissolves in strong acids (e.g., hot concentrated sulfuric acid)
Alkali resistance: More reactive with strong alkalis at high temperatures

Photocatalytic activity:
Can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under UV light
Strong photocatalyst in anatase form
Redox behavior: Generally stable; can participate in photo-induced redox reactions
Thermal stability: Very high; does not decompose easily under heat
Polymorphs:
Anatase (more reactive, photocatalytic)
Rutile (more stable, widely used in industry)
Brookite (rare)

CAS Number: 13463-67-7
EC Number: 236-675-5
Molecular Formula: TiO₂
Molecular Weight: 79.87 g/mol
The rough formula is: TiO 2
Molecular mass is M=79,88
Chemical formula: TiO2
Molar mass: 79.866 g/mol

Appearance: White solid
Odor: Odorless
Density: 4.23 g/cm3 (rutile) 3.78 g/cm3 (anatase)
Melting point: 1,843 °C (3,349 °F; 2,116 K)
Boiling point: 2,972 °C (5,382 °F; 3,245 K)
Solubility in water: Insoluble
Magnetic susceptibility (χ): +5.9·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD): 2.488 (anatase) 2.583 (brookite) 2.609 (rutile)

Std molar entropy (S⦵298): 50 J·mol−1·K−1
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298): −945 kJ·mol−1
CAS number: 13463-67-7
Chemical formula: TiO2
Molecular weight: 79.88
Particle Size: Food grade is not nanomaterial, it is mainly composed of particles greater than 100 nm, but a small fraction of nanoparticles(< 100 nm) exists.
Solubility: Insoluble in water and organic solvents. TiO2 aggregates in aqueous media.
Melting Point: 1843ºC
Boiling point: 2972ºC

FIRST AID MEASURES of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation:
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact:
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact:
Rinse out with plenty of water.
Call in ophthalmologist.
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing:
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most).
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains.
Collect, bind, and pump off spills.
Observe possible material restrictions.
Take up dry.
Dispose of properly.
Clean up affected area.

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Foam
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.

EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection.
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.

HANDLING and STORAGE of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed.
Dry.

STABILITY and REACTIVITY of E171 TITANIUM DIOXIDE:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature).
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available