Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| CAS Number | 3087-36-3 | — |
| Molecular Formula | Ti(OC₂H₅)₄ | — |
| Molecular Weight | 228.11 g/mol | — |
| Titanium Content (Ti%) | 21.0 ± 0.5% | ICP-OES |
| Purity (GC) | ≥99.5% | GC |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale-yellow liquid | Visual |
| Boiling Point | 150–152 °C @ 14 mmHg | ASTM D1078 |
| Density @ 20 °C | 1.088–1.095 g/mL | ASTM D891 |
| Moisture (Karl Fischer) | ≤30 ppm | ASTM E203 |
| Chloride (as Cl⁻) | ≤5 ppm | IC |
| Flash Point | 46 °C (closed cup) | ASTM D93 |
| Hydrolysis Rate vs. TPT | ~3× faster | Comparative gel-time |
| Packaging | 1 kg ampoule / 5 kg / 20 kg drum (N₂) | — |
Industrial Application Scenarios
Upstream Supply: TiCl₄ Feedstock & Alcohol Sourcing
Tetraethyl titanate synthesis begins with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄), produced from ilmenite or rutile ore via the chloride process. Chinese producers account for roughly 55% of global TiCl₄ capacity; tightening environmental controls on chlorination facilities in 2023–2024 have intermittently reduced output, pushing spot TiCl₄ prices 15–25% above 2022 levels. The alcoholysis step consumes anhydrous ethanol, which must be pharmaceutical-grade (water content
Downstream Demand: Photocatalysis, Dielectrics & PV Coatings
TET’s short ethyl chain produces faster hydrolysis kinetics than tetraisopropyl titanate (TPT) or tetra-n-butyl titanate (TBT), making it the preferred precursor where dense, low-temperature TiO₂ films are required. Three end-use segments are driving demand growth: photocatalytic architectural coatings on glass and air-purification substrates expanding at ~12% CAGR under EU and East Asian clean-air mandates; high-κ dielectric layers for DRAM and capacitor stacks in nodes below 20 nm; and anti-reflective or self-cleaning coatings on PV modules, directly correlated with global solar installations projected to exceed 500 GW annually through 2026.
Price Dynamics & Cross-Border Trade Flows
TET is negotiated bilaterally on a $/kg basis—no exchange benchmark exists. Chinese toll producers currently quote electronic-grade TET (≥99.5% GC) at USD 45–70/kg CFR, varying with order volume and chloride specification. European and Japanese producers command a 30–50% premium, justified by stricter quality control, full REACH registration, and shorter lead times for aerospace and semiconductor customers. U.S. import classification under HTS 2931.90 (organotitanium compounds) creates a landed-cost gap for Chinese material that partially insulates allied-country suppliers. Buyers should anticipate 8–16-week lead times from qualified Western sources versus 3–6 weeks from Chinese traders.
Sourcing Strategy & Supply Chain Risk Mitigation
Semiconductor and specialty-coating buyers should qualify a minimum of two TET suppliers across geographies to hedge against Chinese export controls, maritime disruption, and TiCl₄ feedstock squeezes. SEMITECH TET ships in nitrogen-blanketed drums with full CoA traceability covering Ti assay, moisture (KF), and chloride residue. For R&D procurement, 1–5 kg ampoules under argon are available on short lead times. Buyers targeting EU production must verify REACH registration for any imported alkoxide; non-registered material cannot legally be incorporated above 1 tonne/year without an Only Representative arrangement in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Upstream Supply: TiCl₄ Feedstock & Alcohol Sourcing
Tetraethyl titanate synthesis begins with titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄), produced from ilmenite or rutile ore via the chloride process. Chinese producers account for roughly 55% of global TiCl₄ capacity; tightening environmental controls on chlorination facilities in 2023–2024 have intermittently reduced output, pushing spot TiCl₄ prices 15–25% above 2022 levels. The alcoholysis step consumes anhydrous ethanol, which must be pharmaceutical-grade (water content
Downstream Demand: Photocatalysis, Dielectrics & PV Coatings
TET’s short ethyl chain produces faster hydrolysis kinetics than tetraisopropyl titanate (TPT) or tetra-n-butyl titanate (TBT), making it the preferred precursor where dense, low-temperature TiO₂ films are required. Three end-use segments are driving demand growth: photocatalytic architectural coatings on glass and air-purification substrates expanding at ~12% CAGR under EU and East Asian clean-air mandates; high-κ dielectric layers for DRAM and capacitor stacks in nodes below 20 nm; and anti-reflective or self-cleaning coatings on PV modules, directly correlated with global solar installations projected to exceed 500 GW annually through 2026.
Price Dynamics & Cross-Border Trade Flows
TET is negotiated bilaterally on a $/kg basis—no exchange benchmark exists. Chinese toll producers currently quote electronic-grade TET (≥99.5% GC) at USD 45–70/kg CFR, varying with order volume and chloride specification. European and Japanese producers command a 30–50% premium, justified by stricter quality control, full REACH registration, and shorter lead times for aerospace and semiconductor customers. U.S. import classification under HTS 2931.90 (organotitanium compounds) creates a landed-cost gap for Chinese material that partially insulates allied-country suppliers. Buyers should anticipate 8–16-week lead times from qualified Western sources versus 3–6 weeks from Chinese traders.
Sourcing Strategy & Supply Chain Risk Mitigation
Semiconductor and specialty-coating buyers should qualify a minimum of two TET suppliers across geographies to hedge against Chinese export controls, maritime disruption, and TiCl₄ feedstock squeezes. SEMITECH TET ships in nitrogen-blanketed drums with full CoA traceability covering Ti assay, moisture (KF), and chloride residue. For R&D procurement, 1–5 kg ampoules under argon are available on short lead times. Buyers targeting EU production must verify REACH registration for any imported alkoxide; non-registered material cannot legally be incorporated above 1 tonne/year without an Only Representative arrangement in place.
+Q: What is the difference between tetraethyl titanate (TET) and tetraisopropyl titanate (TPT)?
A: TET hydrolyzes approximately three times faster than TPT due to its shorter, less sterically hindered ethyl groups. This faster hydrolysis produces denser, finer-crystallite TiO₂ at lower processing temperatures (150–300 °C vs. 300–450 °C for TPT), making TET preferred for photocatalytic and dielectric applications where rapid, homogeneous gel-network formation is critical to film quality.
+Q: What purity grade of TET is required for semiconductor dielectric applications?
A: Semiconductor-grade TET requires ≥99.9% purity by GC, chloride ≤2 ppm, and total metallic impurities (Fe, Na, K, Ca) ≤1 ppm each by ICP-MS. Standard electronic-grade (≥99.5%) is sufficient for photocatalytic coatings and optical films. Specify your node geometry when qualifying; SEMITECH issues application-specific CoAs on request.
+Q: How should tetraethyl titanate be stored and handled to prevent premature hydrolysis?
A: Store TET under dry inert gas (nitrogen or argon) at 5–25 °C, isolated from moisture and protic solvents. Reseal opened containers immediately under N₂ blanket. Shelf life is 12 months in original sealed packaging; re-verify Ti% assay by ICP-OES before use if storage exceeds 6 months after opening.
+Q: Is Chinese-origin TET legally compliant for use in EU manufacturing?
A: Chinese TET must carry a valid REACH registration—or be imported via an Only Representative—to be used in EU applications exceeding 1 tonne/year. Many Chinese producers lack full REACH coverage for titanium alkoxides. Verify status in the ECHA C&L Inventory before committing to a Chinese source for European production to avoid compliance exposure.
+Q: What solvents are compatible with TET in sol-gel formulations?
A: Compatible solvents are anhydrous, low-proton-activity systems: dry ethanol, isopropanol, toluene, and xylene are most common. Water content in the solvent must remain below 50 ppm to prevent uncontrolled hydrolysis. Avoid ketones, chlorinated solvents, and strongly acidic or basic media unless a chelating agent such as acetylacetone is used to moderate hydrolysis rate.
+Q: How does TiCl₄ feedstock volatility affect TET pricing and availability?
A: TiCl₄ is the primary cost driver for TET, representing 60–70% of raw material input cost. Environmental shutdowns at Chinese chlorination plants in 2023–2024 pushed TiCl₄ spot prices up 15–25%, with TET prices following with a 4–8-week lag. Buyers on long-term contracts with fixed-price windows are partially insulated; spot purchasers face the full cycle.
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