applied sciences Review Titanium Dioxide in Chromogenic Devices: Synthesis, Toxicological Issues, and Fabrication Methods Valeria De Matteis 1 , Alessandro Cannavale 2,3,* and Ubaldo Ayr 2 1 Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, University of Salento, Via per Arnesano, 73100 Lecce, Italy;
[email protected] 2 Department of Sciences in Civil Engineering and Architecture, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70125 Bari, Italy;
[email protected] 3 Istituto di Nanotecnologia, CNR Nanotec, Via Arnesano 16, 73100 Lecce, Italy * Correspondence:
[email protected] Received: 8 November 2020; Accepted: 10 December 2020; Published: 13 December 2020 Abstract: The use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) within two specific classes of devices, namely electrochromic and photoelectrochromic, is described hereafter, with respect to its inherent properties and chromogenic features within architectures that have appeared so far, in this field. The new research trends, involving the applications of TiO2 in chromogenic materials are reported, with particular attention paid to the techniques used for film deposition as well as the synthesis of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the main studies concerning its chemical-physical properties and approaches to its chemical syntheses and fabrication are reviewed, with special regard to “green” routes. In addition, the main aspects relating to toxicological profiles are exposed, with reference to nanoparticles and thin films. Keywords: titanium dioxide; synthetic approaches; toxicity; chromogenic devices 1. Introduction Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a well-known photocatalyst and anti-microbial metal oxide material, which is widely used in many commercial products [1]. A yearly production of 10,000 metric tons has been estimated [2], mainly for nanosized TiO2.