Color parameters of Y2Cu2O5 green-blue nanopigments fabricated by the sol-gel combustion method and their efficiency for coloring the glazed tiles

Non-toxic Y2Cu2O5 nanopigments were synthesized by sol-gel combustion method and the effects of synthesis parameters on their chromatic properties have been studied. The chromatic properties of the samples were studied by UV-vis reflectance spectroscopy and the L*a*b* coordinates were evaluated using the CIE Lab1976 color scales. The results showed that the chromatic properties of nanopigments were changed by altering the synthesis conditions such as pH and the molar ratio of the fuel to oxidizer. Also some Y2Cu2O5 micro sized pigments were synthesized by solid state reaction and the measurements showed that the chromatic properties of the nanopigments were slightly bigger than those of the large particles indicating that the nanopigments were more stunning. Using DTA analysis it was found that the nanopigments were very stable in the temperature range of 50–950 °C. The measurements of a* and b* showed that the nanopigments are also very stable in glazes.