Anatase: Important industrial white pigment and date-marker for artwork

Abstract Barium sulfate, BaSO 4 , is shown by Raman microscopy to be readily identifiable in early (1920s) industrially produced anatase (TiO 2 ) and thus, if present, may act as a date marker for early industrial anatase. Later processes (except that for producing Titanox B) did not involve usage of barium sulfate. The matter is relevant to the possible dating of certain artwork.