Resumo–Este artigo discute a descoberta de litopônio fosforescente em desenhos de aquarela do artista americano John La Farge datados de entre 1890 e 1905 e a história do litopônio na indústria de pigmento no final do século XIX e início do século XX. Apesar de ter muitas qualidades desejáveis para o uso em aquarela branca ou tintas a óleo, o desenvolvimento do litopônio como um pigmento de artistas foi prejudicado por sua tendência a se escurecer na luz solar. Sua disponibilidade para e uso por parte de artistas ainda não está clara, uma vez que os catálogos comerciais dos vendedores de tintas geralmente não eram explícitos na descrição de pigmentos brancos como algo que contém litopônio. Além disso, o litopônio pode ser confundido com o branco de chumbo durante o exame visual e sua fosforescência de curta duração pode ser facilmente perdida pelo observador desinformado. O litopônio fosforescente foi documentado em apenas um outro trabalho até hoje: uma aquarela de Van Gogh. Além da história da manufatura do litopônio, o artigo detalha o mecanismo para a sua fosforescência e sua identificação auxiliada pela espectroscopia de Raman e espectrofluorimetria.

One of lithopone's outstanding characteristics is its exceptional whiteness. The pigment has a brilliant white color that brings vibrancy and brightness to any application. Whether you are producing paints, coatings, plastics, rubber or printing inks, lithopone will ensure that your end product stands out with its unrivaled pure white shade.

In the European domestic market, however, the cost support from increasing freight charges kept the valuation of imported volumes high, and the average CFR NWE discussions were assessed at USD 3800 per tonne in the fourth quarter of 2021.

In order to achieve the same solids content, the larger filler and the binder should be reduced if necessary.  

Prof. Matthew Wright, chair of EFSA’s working group on E171, noted: “Although the evidence for general toxic effects was not conclusive, on the basis of the new data and strengthened methods we could not rule out a concern for genotoxicity and consequently we could not establish a safe level for daily intake of the food additive.”

While lithopone and anatase titanium white gained traction between the 1920s and 1950s, by the advent of the First World War, rutile titanium white had started to overshadow them. Their significance in the artist’s palette has since dwindled, and their use as an artist’s pigment is currently nearly obsolete.

Above 10%, 1 kg of TiO2 should be replaced by 1.3 kg of Lithopone 30%, reducing the amount of polymer accordingly. 

There are many titanium dioxide manufacturer in market. Rutile Titanium dioxide in the form of a white pigment is widely used in the industry:
1. In the production of inks and printing inks - as a pigment with excellent whiteness and very good properties.
2. Plastic materials, such as: wall claddings, floor coverings (linoleum, rubber, PVC), roofing, wires, cables - titanium white is included in the protective layer against degradation of atmospheric conditions (especially UV radiation), and has concealing properties.
3. Cosmetics: gels, eye shadows, foundation, lipstick, pastes (including teeth) - as a component of pigments.
4. Tanning preparations - surface-modified with a hydrophobic coating - acts as a UV filter.
5. Paper pulp - anatine is used as a filler and reinforcement.
6, Packaging film, adhesive mortars, plasters, cement, caulking agents, ceramic tiles - is an additive that improves resistance to colour change.
7. PCigar production - titanium white gives the ash a white color.

In June 2022, Health Canada weighed in on the debate, releasing a report on the safety of titanium dioxide. Their expert panel reviewed toxicity studies, including ones involving genetic damage. The expert panel found that previous studies used different forms and properties of titanium dioxide and deliberately broke the material into smaller particles than what you would normally see in food.

The evidence also suggests that the toxicity of TiO₂ particles may be reduced when eaten as part of the diet. This is because proteins and other molecules in a person's diet can bind to the TiO₂ particles. This binding alters the physical and chemical properties of the particles, which influences how they interact with cells, tissues and organs.

Lithopone was discovered in the 1870s by DuPont. It was manufactured by Krebs Pigments and Chemical Company and other companies. The material came in different seals, which varied in the content of zinc sulfide. Gold seal and Bronze seals contain 40-50% zinc sulfide, offering more hiding power and strength. Although its popularity peaked around 1920, approximately 223,352 tons were produced in 1990. It is mainly used in paints, putty, and in plastics.

Scattering Power of TiO2 and Pigment Volume Concentration

Most notably, a European Food Safety Authority safety assessment published in May 2021 pointed to genotoxicity concerns, as suggested by previous research. Genotoxicity is the ability of chemicals to damage genetic information such as DNA, which may lead to cancer.

Manufacturers use titanium dioxide in some packaging to protect food from exposure to sunlight. Lab studies show it may also help stop bacteria from growing, and break down a gas that makes many fruits and vegetables ripen faster. That can keep products fresher and give them a longer shelf life.   

Titanium dioxide makes products, like toothpaste, white and bright. It's also used in makeup, sunscreen, plastic, and paint. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images)

By September, demand in the construction sector had significantly increased; however, resurgent cases of virus hindered the anticipated recovery in demand. However, due to a severe fall in market fundamentals in some end-use areas, its prices had significantly faded by quarter-end. Delays in a number of commercial projects, followed by a poor recovery in the downstream automotive market, were identified as primary causes of the protracted recovery curve.