Synthesis and characterization of CexZr1-xO2 nanopigments, using sol-gel method

In this research, inorganic pigments with the general formula CexZr1-xO2 (x = 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) have been synthesized by a sol-gel (green rout) method. These pigments can be viable alternatives to lead, cadmium and chromium based yellow toxic inorganic colorants. The starting materials were cerium nitrate, zirconium nitrate and gelatin, as the polymerization and stabilizer agent. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy and the CIE L*a*b* colorimetric analysis. The produced pigments exhibited brilliant yellow colors and the most yellow hue was obtained for Ce0.6Zr0.4O2.