Titanium Dioxide Rutile

Rutile is a type of TiO2. Out of all the different titanium dioxide minerals, rutile stands as the most natural. It is the ideal source of titanium ore.

This guide will cover areas such as the advantages, properties, crystal structure, production information, forms of rutile, synthetic rutile, and uses.

Advantages of Rutile Titanium Dioxide

Rutile titanium dioxide comes with some unique advantages. They include:

• Can be used in processes that are subject to high-temperature and high-pressure conditions.
• Polarizing rutile tio2 is very easy.
• Higher dispersion levels.
• Good refractive index at visible wavelengths.
• Has good application performance.
• Optically positive.
• High color reduction and hiding power.
• Good weather resisting features.
• Has high UV absorption levels.
• Comes with non-toxic and strong photocatalytic features. Because of its photocatalytic properties that abolish bacteria and overpowers their reproduction, it is respected for its antibacterial functions

Properties of Rutile TiO2

• Rutile tio2 refractive index – This mineral has a very high refractive index (at 706.5 nm) is no=2.5490, ne=2.8226.
• Crystal system of rutile tio2 – It comes with a tetragonal crystal system.

• Rutile tio2 lattice constant  – Rutile has a lattice constant of a=0.45935 nm, c=0.29580 nm

• Melting Point – Rutile tio2 has a melting point of 1840°C.

• Rutile tio2 growth method – Its growth method is verneuil method.

• Density – Rutile tio2 density of is 4.252 g/cm³.

• Dielectric constant of rutile tio2 – The dielectric constant of rutile tio2 is 113 per 1 MHz.

• Thermal expansion coefficient (30 – 400°C) – Rutile tio2 comes with a thermal expansion coefficient of (a-axis) 7.81×10^-6/℃  and (c-axis 10.1×10^-6/℃.

• Rutile tio2 band gap – The band gap is 3.0 eV.

• Mo Hardness of rutile tio2 – It comes with mo hardness of 6 to 6.5.

• Optical properties of rutile tio2 – This tio2 appears in a dark red shade and has high level of stability.

TiO2 Rutile Crystal Structure

Rutile tio2 comes in a tetragonal structure. It also has unit cell parameters with a = b = 4.584 Å, and c = 2.953 Å. This mineral oxide mostly ranges from mirror-like metallic to dark red sub-metallic, to bright yellow needles.

Difference between Rutile and Anatase Titanium Dioxide

· Appearance

Rutile contains tio2 mainly with its dark red look while anatase tio2 is colorless or blue in look or appearance.

· UV absorption

The ultraviolet or UV absorbing rate for rutile tio2 is higher compared to that of anatase tio2 (it is low).

· Shades or Colors

Rutile is dark red in color and well pulverized rutile tio2 is clear white in color. Anatase tio2 is dark in color when it encounters impurities. However, it has a pure colorless or white form.

· Occurrences

Rutile is mostly found in huge quantities naturally compared to anatase tio2.

· Optical activity

Anatase tio2 is negative optically while rutile tio2 is positive.

· Hardness

Rutile titanium dioxide’s hardness is great with anatase not being very hard.

· Specific Gravity

Rutile has higher density with anatase coming with low density.

· Internal Structure Crystal

Rutile tio2’s crystal structure is stable compared to anatase tio2.

· Boiling and Melting Points

Compared to rutile, anatase tio2’s melting and boiling points are mostly not present. However, rutile titanium comes with a melting point of 1850°C with its boiling point of (3200 ± 300) ℃.

Production Method

Rutile tio2 is produced using both chlorinated and sulfuric acid while anatase tio2 is produced using only sulfuric acid. Their production processes are similar, however.

Cost or Price

Through the production methods of both tio2’s, it is easy to determine that the cost of rutile tio2 is higher than anatase. However, this can differ based on where you are making your purchase from and the forms you are buying them in.

How to Produce Rutile TiO2

You can produce rutile titanium dioxide using either:

• Chloride process or,
• Sulfate process

Initially, the sulfate process was a popular technique before DuPont invented the chloride process. However, the truth is, the chloride process for titanium dioxide rutile is highly protect.

Comparing the processes:

• TiO2 from chloride process is white and tend to have bluish color. On the other hand TiO2 rutile from sulfate process is yellowish.
• Chloride process produces less waste than sulfate process hence tend to be economical
• Titanium dioxide chloride process is best for continuous process while sulfate process is best for batch rutile titanium dioxide production.

With these in mind, let’s quickly look at the key stage in the producing rutile TiO2 pigment:

Chloride Process Titanium Dioxide Rutile

1. Add carbon and chlorine to the ore thereby producing titanium tetrachloride
2. Subject titanium tetrachloride to distillation for purification
3. Add oxygen to titanium tetrachloride thereby making TiO2

Sulfate Process Titanium Dioxide Rutile

1. Add sulfuric acid to ilmenite – as a result, you will extract iron(II) sulfate pentahydrate
2. Next you will heat the content for titanium oxygen sulphate hydrolysis
3. The result is sulfuric acid (which is a by-product). At the same time, there is the hydrated titanium dioxide
4. Heating hydrated titanium dioxide in rotary kiln removes water thereby remaining with rutile crystals.

Factors Determining Rutile Titanium Dioxide Price

Due to the high price levels of rutile titanium dioxide, it is used mostly in high end productions or products. Rutile is expensive when compared to titanium. The factors that determines its price include:

Quantity Required

Different quantities will require different prices to be paid based on your order. The more you choose to buy, the cheaper with most manufacturers or suppliers.

Form Needed

With the different forms of rutile tio2, the cost or prices differ. So, the form you need is what will decide the cost as well.

Supplier

Different suppliers will sell at different prices.

Where you Buy Rutile

The different countries you choose to buy from will always come with different prices when compared.

Forms in Which Rutile Exist

You will find rutile in different forms such as:

• Powder
• Dark uncalcined powder
• Granular form
• Thin film form

Facts about Synthetic Rutile

Below are some facts about synthetic rutile. They include:

• It was initially produced in the year 1948. You will find it being sold under different names.
• Authentic synthetic rutile is clear and quite colorless.
• Synthetic rutile is mostly produced in colors or shades that are different through doping.

Rutile Titanium Dioxide Uses

Rutile titanium dioxide has several important applications. The main uses include:

• Manufacturing of tio2 pigments.
• The manufacturing of metallic titanium pigments.
• In its fine form, it is used in the manufacturing of papers, paints, plastics, etc.
• Used in cosmetic manufacturing.
• It is used in making coatings and air purification products for indoor settings. This is due to its non-toxic and strong photocatalytic as well as good transparency features.
• Ideally used as pigment in cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, and countless consumer goods such as toothpaste. Some other products they can be used for include cigarette paper, tanning products, creams, soaps, etc.
• Rutile tio2 is ideally used in different military fields.
• Rutile titanium dioxide is used in coloring plastic items like electronics, packaging, toys, cars, furniture, etc. The pigments absorbs some part of UV radiation which keeps its contents secure or protected.

Conclusion

Clearly, you can use chloride process or sulfide process to produce rutile. Generally, rutile has desirable properties for many applications in modern industrial and domestic environments.

For all your Titanium dioxide rutile from China, contact Inter-China Chemical now.