This article discusses the discovery of phosphorescent lithopone on watercolor drawings by American artist John La Farge dated between 1890 and 1905 and the history of lithopone in the pigment industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite having many desirable qualities for use in white watercolor or oil paints, the development of lithopone as an artists’ pigment was hampered by its tendency to darken in sunlight. Its availability to, and adoption by, artists remain unclear, as colormen's trade catalogs were generally not explicit in describing white pigments as containing lithopone. Further, lithopone may be mistaken for lead white during visual examination and its short-lived phosphorescence can be easily missed by the uninformed observer. Phosphorescent lithopone has been documented on only one other work-to-date: a watercolor by Van Gogh. In addition to the history of lithopone's manufacture, the article details the mechanism for its phosphorescence and its identification aided by Raman spectroscopy and spectrofluorimetry.

In conclusion, titanium IV oxide is a versatile compound that is used in a wide range of industries. From sunscreen to paints to food coloring to pharmaceuticals, titanium dioxide plays a vital role in many products. Its unique properties, such as UV protection, brightness, and stability, make it an essential ingredient in various applications. As technology continues to advance, titanium IV oxide will likely continue to play a key role in the manufacturing of innovative products.

The second quarter of 2022 saw mixed market sentiments for titanium dioxide prices. Due to demands, constrained supply and ineffective production capacity brought on by the stretched supply chain, labour shortage, and high energy prices, the production of the chemical increased in Q2 of 2022. Moreover, the US Federal Reserve's tight monetary policy and high interest rates worsened the domestic trade picture, which at quarter's conclusion supported titanium dioxide's unfavourable market views.