Lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12, spinel structure) is the primary inorganic titanium compound for fast-charge battery anodes, operating at a flat 1.55 V plateau vs. Li/Li+ with virtually zero lattice strain across deep cycles. SEMITECH supplies LTO at D50 0.3–1.5 µm, BET 10–30 m²/g, theoretical capacity 175 mAh/g, and cycle life exceeding 20,000 full cycles. Upstream feedstocks are anatase TiO2 (≥99%) and battery-grade lithium carbonate (≤50 ppm Na), calcined at 750–850°C under air. Tightening lithium carbonate supply from South American brine operations has pushed LTO spot premiums 15–25% above 2023 lows — supply chain transparency is now a procurement differentiator.
Barium titanate (BaTiO3) is the benchmark inorganic titanium compound for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), piezoelectric actuators, and PTC thermistors. SEMITECH BTO is produced via wet-chemical co-precipitation from barium chloride and titanium isopropoxide, yielding D50 0.1–0.5 µm with BET 8–15 m²/g and purity ≥99.5%. In-house XRD confirms tetragonal phase ratio ≥95% at room temperature, with Curie point at 120°C and relative permittivity of 8,000–15,000 at 1 kHz. Barium carbonate feedstock prices are currently ~USD 480/t, up 12% year-on-year on MLCC restocking demand tied to automotive electronics recovery in Q1 2026.
Titanium nitride (TiN) is the most commercially mature inorganic titanium compound for PVD hard coatings on cutting tools, molds, and precision components. SEMITECH TiN (purity ≥99%, D50 1–3 µm) is produced by direct nitridation of sponge titanium at 1,200°C under flowing N2. Key properties: Vickers hardness ~2,300 HV, melting point 2,930°C, electrical resistivity 20–25 µΩ·cm, and characteristic golden reflectance (~70% at 580 nm). For sputtering target qualification, bulk density ≥4.8 g/cm³ and oxygen content ≤0.3 wt% are mandatory quality gates. Upstream Ti sponge prices have stabilized at ~USD 10.5/kg (CIF China), supporting predictable TiN contract pricing through Q3 2026.
Titanium diboride (TiB2) is the hardest inorganic titanium compound in this portfolio (~3,400 HV) while simultaneously exhibiting metallic electrical conductivity (resistivity 9–12 µΩ·cm), making it uniquely suited for aluminum smelting cathodes, EDM electrodes, and wear-resistant composites. SEMITECH TiB2 is synthesized by carbothermal reduction of TiO2 and B2O3 at 1,500–1,600°C, delivering D50 2–5 µm, BET 3–8 m²/g, purity ≥99%, and free boron ≤0.2 wt%. Melting point 3,225°C and oxidation resistance to ~1,000°C (via self-passivating TiO2/B2O3 surface layer) support sustained high-temperature service. Boron feedstock prices remain elevated (+18% YoY) driven by competing EV cathode-coating demand.
All four inorganic titanium compounds share TiO2 as the common upstream precursor, but diverge in co-reagent cost exposure, synthesis temperature, and downstream end-market. The table below maps each compound from raw ore tier through key specification parameters to primary application, enabling buyers to benchmark supply chain risk and qualification requirements side-by-side.
| 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 |