titanium dioxide
- noun
- /taɪˈteɪniəm daɪˈɒksaɪd/
- Specialized
:
dióxido de titanio
- The facade coating uses titanium dioxide to break down grime with sunlight.
Examples
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Engineers tested a titanium dioxide coating that keeps windows clear by decomposing bird droppings.
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Modern air purifiers contain a titanium dioxide layer that destroys volatile organic compounds under UV light.
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Is titanium dioxide safe for skin applications?
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Researchers are studying titanium dioxide for its photocatalytic properties.
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The scientist applied a layer of titanium dioxide to the surface, which helped purify the air in the laboratory.
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The self-cleaning feature of the roof relies on a coating of titanium dioxide that breaks down dirt and pollutants.
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In environmental studies, researchers often use titanium dioxide to test its effectiveness in water purification systems.
Synonyms
A white powder used to make paint and block harmful sun rays in sunscreen
A white powder used to make things like paint or cream look white and stay bright
A white powder that makes paint and sunscreen whiter and last longer
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is directly compositional: a B1 learner who knows 'titanium' and 'dioxide' can infer it is an oxide of titanium containing two oxygen atoms, i.e. a chemical compound. Specialized properties such as photocatalytic behaviour are technical and not predictable from the parts, but the basic referent (the titanium oxide) is transparent and cross-linguistically recognizable.
Etymology
Titanium dioxide comes from the metal titanium and dioxide, a simple way to say it has oxygen in it. Tiny particles of titanium dioxide use light to break down dirt and germs, so the material is used in 'self-cleaning' coatings and filters.
