Titanium Dioxide In Skin Products-What Else Is Titanium Dioxide In
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a versatile substance used in a wide range of products and industries due to its white pigment properties, UV filtering abilities, and opacity. Here are some of the common uses for titanium dioxide:
1. **Paints and Coatings**: It is a primary ingredient in many paints and coatings because it provides a white, opaque base and can enhance the brightness and hiding power of the colors.
2. **Plastics**: Titanium dioxide is used as a pigment in plastics to make them white or colored, and it can also act as a UV stabilizer to prevent degradation from sunlight.
3. **Printing Inks**: It is used in printing inks to improve opacity and as a base for white inks.
4. **Cosmetics**: In makeup and skincare products, titanium dioxide is used for its pigment properties and as a sunscreen agent due to its ability to reflect UV rays.
5. **Food and Beverages**: As an additive, it is used in food products to give them a white or creamy color. It is also used in candies, chewing gum, and other items to create a more appealing appearance.
6. **Paper**: In paper manufacturing, it is used to make the paper brighter and more opaque.
7. **Ceramics and Glass**: Titanium dioxide can be found in ceramic glazes and in glass manufacturing to improve clarity and durability.
8. **Fertilizers**: It is sometimes used in fertilizers to increase the reflectivity of the granules, which can enhance plant growth by reflecting more light onto the plants.
9. **Rubber**: In rubber products, it acts as a reinforcing agent and provides opacity.
10. **Textiles**: It can be used in textile manufacturing to create white fabrics or to enhance the brightness of colored fabrics.
11. **Pharmaceuticals**: In the pharmaceutical industry, titanium dioxide is used as a coating agent for tablets and as a pigment in ointments and creams.
12. **Agricultural Products**: It is used in some agricultural products to provide a reflective coating on plants, which can protect them from insects and reduce the effects of excessive sunlight.
13. **Electronic Materials**: In certain electronic applications, such as in the production of capacitors and in photoelectrochemical cells, due to its semiconductor properties.
14. **Catalysts**: Titanium dioxide can act as a catalyst or a catalyst support in various chemical reactions.
15. **Water Treatment**: It is used in some water treatment processes, including as a component in UV-blocking filters.
Given its wide range of applications, titanium dioxide is one of the most commonly used inorganic pigments globally. However, its use has also been subject to scrutiny due to potential health and environmental concerns, particularly when it is in the form of nanoparticles. As such, regulations and guidelines are in place in many countries to ensure its safe use.