Anatase

Anatase

Formula: TiO₂

Mohs scale hardness: 5,5–6

Specific gravity: 3,79-4,97

Anatase is one of the three mineral forms of titanium dioxide.

Crystals of anatase can be prepared in laboratories by chemical methods such as sol-gel method. Examples include controlled hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) or titanium alkoxides. Such synthetic anatases are of considerable interest for photocatalysis and for Grätzel-cell photovoltaics.