Environmentally benign sol-gel derived nanocrystalline rod shaped calcium doped cerium phosphate yellow-green pigment

Abstract

Nanocrystalline rod shaped calcium doped cerium phosphate yellow-green pigment particles having an average length of similar to 100 nm and aspect ratio 10 even after calcination at 600 degrees C have been realized through an aqueous sol-gel process. The morphology, particle size and identification of the phase are determined by using different analytical tools such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), Fourier-transform IR (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Brunauer -Emmett-Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption analysis showed the pigment particles are mesoporous texture having specific surface area 42 m(2) g(-1) and average pore size 153 angstrom. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis is used to explain the thermal phase stability of the pigment. UV-Visible spectroscopy and colorimetric analysis are also done. The typical yellow-green color has been obtained even after heating to as low as 600 degrees C, which is 300 degrees C lesser than reported. Systematic study on synthesis and effect of temperature on color are presented.