Properties and applications of technologically important inorganic compounds of titanium are surveyed. The most important compound is titanium dioxide which, because of its high refractive index, is manufactured as a white pigment at a scale of ca 7 million tpa. Raw materials and pigment production processes are reviewed. Mixed oxides, for example, barium titanate, are important raw materials for electroceramics.
Titanium hydrides provide a convenient method of hydrogen storage. Titanium boride, titanium carbide, and titanium nitride are used as components of hard materials, for example, for cutting tools. They are electrically conducting.
The chlorides are the most important halides. Titanium trichloride is the basis of widely used polymerization catalysts. Titanium tetrachloride is an intermediate in the production of both titanium metal and (via the chloride process) titanium dioxide pigment. Titanium dioxide pigment is also made (in the sulfate process) by precipitation from solutions of titanium in sulfuric acid. Titanium sulfides may be used as cathodes in high efficiency batteries. The properties of some titanium compounds with silicon and phosphorus are reviewed. Analytical methods and environmental, health and safety aspects are summarized.