Lithium Titanate (LTO) — Zero-Strain Fast-Charge Anode
Li4Ti5O12 (spinel) operates at a flat 1.55 V plateau vs. Li/Li+ with virtually zero lattice strain, exceeding 20,000 full cycles. SEMITECH supplies LTO at D50 0.3–1.5 µm, BET 10–30 m²/g, theoretical capacity 175 mAh/g. Upstream feedstocks are anatase TiO₂ (≥99%) and battery-grade lithium carbonate (≤50 ppm Na), calcined at 750–850°C.
Barium Titanate (BTO) — High-Permittivity Piezoelectric Ceramic
BaTiO₃ is the benchmark for MLCCs, piezoelectric actuators, and PTC thermistors. SEMITECH BTO: D50 0.1–0.5 µm, BET 8–15 m²/g, purity ≥99.5%, tetragonal phase ≥95%, Curie point 120°C, relative permittivity 8,000–15,000 at 1 kHz. Produced via wet-chemical co-precipitation from barium chloride and titanium isopropoxide.
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Titanium Nitride (TiN) — Gold-Hued PVD Hard Coating Powder
TiN (purity ≥99%, D50 1–3 µm) is produced by direct nitridation of sponge titanium at 1,200°C under N₂. Vickers hardness ~2,300 HV, melting point 2,930°C, electrical resistivity 20–25 µΩ·cm, characteristic golden reflectance (~70% at 580 nm). For sputtering targets, bulk density ≥4.8 g/cm³ and oxygen ≤0.3 wt% are mandatory.
Titanium Diboride (TiB₂) — Ultra-Hard Electrode Ceramic
TiB₂ (~3,400 HV) combines extreme hardness with metallic conductivity (9–12 µΩ·cm), suited for aluminum smelting cathodes, EDM electrodes, and wear-resistant composites. D50 2–5 µm, BET 3–8 m²/g, purity ≥99%. Melting point 3,225°C with oxidation resistance to ~1,000°C via self-passivating surface layer.
Supply Chain & Specification Comparison
All four compounds share TiO₂ as the common upstream precursor but diverge in co-reagent cost, synthesis temperature, and end-market.
| Compound | Formula | Key Feedstocks | Synthesis Route | D50 (µm) | BET (m²/g) | Purity | Hardness (HV) | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium Titanate (LTO) | Li4Ti5O12 | TiO2 (anatase) + Li2CO3 | Solid-state calcination, 800°C/air | 0.3–1.5 | 10–30 | ≥99% | ~— | Fast-charge battery anode |
| Barium Titanate (BTO) | BaTiO3 | BaCl2 + Ti(OiPr)4 or BaCO3 + TiO2 | Co-precipitation or solid-state, 900–1,100°C | 0.1–0.5 | 8–15 | ≥99.5% | ~— | MLCC, piezoelectric actuator, PTC |
| Titanium Nitride (TiN) | TiN | Ti sponge + N2 gas | Direct nitridation, 1,200°C | 1–3 | 2–6 | ≥99% | ~2,300 | PVD hard coating, sputtering target |
| Titanium Diboride (TiB2) | TiB2 | TiO2 + B2O3 + C | Carbothermal reduction, 1,550°C | 2–5 | 3–8 | ≥99% | ~3,400 | Cathode, EDM electrode, composite |
Frequently Asked Questions
+What distinguishes inorganic titanium compounds from organic titanates?
Inorganic titanium compounds are crystalline ceramic or nitride/boride solids with high-temperature stability exceeding 1,000°C. Organic titanates (alkoxides, chelates) are liquid coupling agents for sol-gel and surface modification. LTO, BTO, TiN, and TiB₂ are structural/functional materials that do not hydrolyze under ambient conditions.
+How does TiO₂ feedstock price volatility affect finished compound costs?
A 10% TiO₂ swing typically adds 3–8% to LTO or BTO cost; TiN and TiB₂ absorb less proportionally due to higher energy and co-reagent costs dominating total COGS.
+What particle size should I specify for LTO in high-rate fast-charge cells?
D50 0.3–0.8 µm with BET 15–25 m²/g for ≥4C charge rates. Particles below 0.2 µm increase electrolyte reactivity; above 2 µm limits rate capability. For stationary storage at ≤1C, D50 1.0–1.5 µm suffices.
+Is barium titanate subject to RoHS or REACH SVHC restrictions?
BaTiO₃ (CAS 12047-27-7) is not currently listed as a REACH SVHC or RoHS-restricted as of early 2026. Barium compounds remain under ECHA review; confirm status before final qualification.
+Can titanium nitride powder be used for thermal spray coatings?
Yes. TiN at D50 15–45 µm with near-spherical morphology is suitable for HVOF and plasma spray (50–300 µm coatings). Specify your deposition method when requesting a quote.
+What is the typical lead time for titanium diboride?
Standard TiB₂ ships within 2–4 weeks from stock. MOQ 5 kg for R&D, 25 kg for production runs.