Gerhard Pfaff*

White pigments

Abstract: White pigments are inorganic pigments, whose optical action is mainly
based on non-selective light scattering. White pigments do not show absorption in
the range of visible light, but have high scattering power leading to high hiding
power in their applications. The greater the difference between the refractive index
of the white pigment and that of the surrounding medium, the higher the scattering
power.

Keywords: fillers, lithopone, titanium dioxide pigments, white pigments, zinc oxide
pigments, zinc sulfide pigments

White pigments are inorganic pigments, whose optical action is mainly based on
non-selective light scattering. White pigments do not show absorption in the range of
visible light, but have high scattering power leading to high hiding power in their
applications. The greater the difference between the refractive index of the white pig-
ment and that of the surrounding medium, the higher the scattering power [1, 2].
White fillers, which are also used as pigments in emulsion paints and paper are
distinguished from white pigments by the refractive index and by the intended use.
Organic white pigments are unknown [1].
The first synthetically produced white pigment was white lead (basic lead carbon-
ate). It was already known in Roman times. At 1800, zinc white (zinc oxide) was de-
veloped, followed by antimony white (antimony oxide) and zinc sulfide. Lithopones
(zinc sulfide barium sulfate mixtures) were manufactured for the first time in the sec-
ond half of the nineteenth century. During the twentieth century, the main processes
for the production of titanium dioxide pigments were developed (sulfate and chloride
process). Titanium dioxide in the anatase and the rutile modification is the most im-
portant white pigment today. Lithopones, zinc sulfide and zinc white have also a sig-
nificant importance besides titanium dioxide pigments, whereas white lead and
antimony white are not larger applied due to toxicological reasons [1, 2].
White pigments are used for coloration of coatings, emulsion paints, printing
inks and plastics but also for brightening of different colored systems. They show
good stability against chemical substances and high weather resistance.

*Corresponding author: Gerhard Pfaff, Anorganische Chemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt,

Alarich-Weiß-Str. 12, Darmstadt, 64287 Germany, E-mail: pfaff.pigmente@gmx.de

https://doi.org/10.1515/psr-2020-0202
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2  Gerhard
Gerhard Pfaff
Pfaff

Table 1: Overview on white pigments and fillers [1].

Name Formula Refractive index nD C.I.

White pigments
titanium dioxide TiO PW 
anatase .
rutile .
zinc sulfide ZnS . PW 
zinc oxide (zinc white) ZnO . PW 
lithopones ZnS + BaSO .–. PW 
basic lead carbonate (white lead)  PbCO · Pb(OH) .–. PW 
antimony(III) oxide (antimony white) SbO .–. PW 
Fillers
calcium carbonate CaCO .–. PW 
barium sulfate BaSO . PW 
talc  MgO ·  SiO · HO .–. PW 

Table 1 contains a summary of white pigments and fillers. Titanium dioxide,

zinc oxide and zinc sulfide pigments are described in own chapters.

References

1. Pfaff G. Inorganic pigments. Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2017:47.

2. Buxbaum G, Pfaff G, editors. Industrial inorganic pigments. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH Verlag,
2005:51.