Low–temperature synthesis and chromatic properties of ferrum–zircon (Fe–ZrSiO4) pink coral ceramic pigment with the assistance of in–situ formed molten salt

A novel low-temperature route has been developed to prepare Fe-ZrSiO 4 ceramic pigment with the assistance of in-situ formed molten salt. The effects of calcination temperature on the preparation and chromatic properties of the obtained pigments were investigated. When optimized calcination temperature is 900 °C, the as-prepared Fe-ZrSiO 4 ceramic pigment shows a pink coral with chromatic parameters of L* =56.64, a* =18.77 and b *=12.20. The obtained pigment shows a good dispersibility with average particle size of 2 μm, and can be susscessfully applied in high-temperature glazing coloration. The XRD and XPS results, as well as the changes in chromatic parameters after application in glaze, confirm that the doping of iron ions into ZrSiO 4 lattice is the main reason for the coloration of Fe-ZrSiO 4 ceramic pigment. The utilization of in-situ formed molten salt can provide a valuable reference for low-temperature synthesis of other ceramic materials.