Titanium dioxide coatings for medical devices

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂, titania) is a widely abundant and inexpensive material. In bulk form, it is produced as a white powder and it is the most widely used white pigment because of its brightness and very high refractive index (n = 2.4). Applications include filler pigment in paints, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food products (such as E171, e.g. white lettering on M&Ms) and toothpaste. When deposited as a thin film, its refractive index and colour make it an excellent reflective optical coating for dielectric mirrors. It is also widely used in sun block creams due to its photostability, high refractive index and UV absorption properties. This chapter focuses on describing the type of coatings that are used for medical devices and advances made in this important field of medical research.