The toxicity of P25TiO₂NPs was evaluated in both prokaryotic (Fig. 3) and eukaryotic cells (Fig. 4). The XTT assay was chosen to measure the cell viability in bacterial cultures of MSSA, a normal skin microbiota microorganism. The reduction in the viability of samples with bare NPs is notorious, possibly due to the described ROS production from the interaction of P25TiO₂NPs with light [37]. This effect seems to be avoided when they are functionalized with vitamin B2. Also, the most concentrated vitaminB2@P25TiO₂NPs sample (0.2 mg/mL) shows up to 60% more absorbance after 6 h compared to the bare NPs (due to normal cell replication). This may indicate that the antioxidant effect of the vitamin B2 coating is greater than the oxidation damage produced by the NPs. This protective capacity could be attributed to the glutathione redox cycle and the conversion of reduced riboflavin to its oxidized form [38]. Values of cell viability greater than 100% are not rare and could be understood because the XTT assay actually measure metabolic activity when reducing the tetrazole to formazan. It is usually assumed that conversion is dependent on the number of viable cells, but it could also be related to an expected increased enzymatic activity when cells are exposed to small doses of some new substance. Further analysis showed that this effect was not the only one responsible for better cell viability of vitaminB@P25TiO₂NPs treated samples.

Throughout the fourth quarter of 2021, the European market had consistent optimistic sentiment. Despite the overwhelming inventories at lower levels during the fourth quarter of 2021, the demand prognosis in the domestic market revealed varied opinions. Imports from the Asia Pacific region, on the other hand, remained disruptive due to limited accessibility of vessel freights and a decrease in the PMI index for titanium dioxide in China despite the application of severe environmental protection measures.

Although barium sulfate is almost completely inert, zinc sulfide degrades upon exposure to UV light, leading to darkening of the pigment. The severity of this UV reaction is dependent on a combination of two factors; how much zinc sulfide makes up the pigments formulation, and its total accumulated UV exposure. Depending on these factors the pigment itself can vary in shade over time, ranging from pure white all the way to grey or even black. To suppress this effect, a dopant may be used, such as a small amount of cobalt salts, which would be added to the formulation. This process creates cobalt-doped zinc sulfide. The cobalt salts help to stabilize zinc sulfide so it will not have as severe a reaction to UV exposure.

Avoiding exposure

The pigment’s low Mohs hardness produces low abrasion compared to TiO2.

VB Chemicals large range of engineered Lithopone “Seal family” fully meets the European regulatory standards and is suitable for every application such as:

Lithopone is a mixed zinc sulfide-barium sulfate brilliant white pigment that contains about 30% zinc sulfide. The original light sensitiveness of this pigment has been mitigated by purification and by the addition of such agents as polythionates and cobalt sulfate.

In Europe, the downstream paints and coatings sector presented weak demand in front of the titanium dioxide manufacturers, and thus, the titanium dioxide price trend experienced a gradual decline in its trajectory. Additionally, the pressure of inflation and increasing bank interest rates lowered the spending appetite of consumers which had an adverse effect on the titanium dioxide price trends. Further, the export and import of titanium dioxide were also caught under the negative influence of the poor economic conditions of the market.