Technical Specifications
| Parameter | SEMITECH Spec | Typical Market Range | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal phase | Anatase ≥99% | Anatase 90–99% | XRD (Scherrer) |
| Primary particle size | <30 nm | 15–50 nm | TEM / BET-derived |
| BET surface area | 200–300 m²/g | 100–350 m²/g | BET-N₂ (ISO 9277) |
| TiO₂ purity | ≥99.5% | ≥98.0% | ICP-OES |
| pH (5% slurry) | 6.5–8.0 | 5.0–9.0 | pH meter |
| Moisture (105°C, 2h) | ≤0.5 wt% | ≤1.0 wt% | Gravimetric |
| Surface treatment | SiO₂/Al₂O₃ optional | SiO₂, Al₂O₃, or organic | TGA / XPS |
| UV transmittance (400 nm, 5% dispersion in propylene glycol) | ≤15% | ≤25% | UV-Vis spectrophotometry |
Market Context
Nano-grade anatase occupies a specialty tier distinct from commodity pigment TiO₂. Pigment TiO₂ trades at $2.00–2.80/kg; nano anatase commands $15–50/kg — a premium anchored in synthesis complexity and surface engineering. The specialty nano TiO₂ segment grows at 6–9% CAGR through 2028, driven by UV-protection requirements in personal care, automotive OEM, and architectural glazing.
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Supply Chain
Nano anatase is produced via hydrothermal or flame-hydrolysis routes from TiCl₄ or titanyl sulfate. Australia and South Africa supply ~55% of global ilmenite; China's Panzhihua basin contributes ~30%. TiCl₄ capacity is concentrated in China, creating single-node procurement risk. Surface treatment (SiO₂/Al₂O₃ at 3–8 wt%) adds 20–35% to unit cost. China produces 60–65% of global nano TiO₂, with lead times normalized to 6–10 weeks. MOQs typically run 25–200 kg for qualification, with volume pricing above 500 kg.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Q: Why choose anatase over rutile TiO₂ for UV-blocking in sunscreens?
A: Anatase (band gap 3.2 eV) absorbs slightly more UVB than rutile (3.0 eV), and its lower refractive index (2.55 vs. 2.72) reduces visible whitening in cosmetics.
+Q: What BET surface area is optimal for automotive clear coat formulations?
A: BET 150–250 m²/g. Higher BET (>300 m²/g) raises slurry viscosity and causes haze above 1.5 wt%. Most OEM formulators target 0.8–1.2 wt% at BET 180–220 m²/g.
+Q: What are typical MOQs and lead times from Chinese suppliers?
A: 25–100 kg for qualification trials, 500 kg+ for production. Lead times 4–8 weeks ex-works Shandong. Expect $18–35/kg CIF for surface-treated cosmetic-grade material.
+Q: How does nano anatase TiO₂ pricing respond to raw material fluctuations?
A: Weak correlation with ilmenite spot — raw materials are only 15–25% of production cost. Chinese electricity tariffs are the primary price driver. A 10% electricity rate increase translates to 3–5% nano TiO₂ price increase with 4–8 week lag.
+Q: What regulatory documentation should I request?
A: EU REACH registration number, SDS per Regulation 2015/830, and for cosmetics — compliance with EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annex VI. Particle size by TEM (not DLS alone) is now required under updated SCCS methodology.
+Q: How do I prevent nano anatase agglomeration in sunscreen formulation?
A: Pre-disperse in propylene glycol or cyclopentasiloxane before emulsification. Use high-shear mixing (bead mill 0.3–0.8 mm) with steric dispersant at 10–20 wt% on TiO₂ solids.
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Contact the Semitech technical team for product recommendations, samples and TDS.