Chromium and yttrium-doped magnesium aluminum oxides prepared from layered double hydroxides

Layered double hydroxides with the hydrotalcite-like structures, containing Mg2+ and Al3+, doped with Cr3+ and Y3+, have been prepared by precipitation at constant pH. The weight percentages of Cr3+ and Y3+ were 1, 2, or 3%, and 0.5 or 1%, respectively. Single phases were obtained in all cases, whose crystallinity decreased as the content in Cr and Y was increased. The solids have been characterised by element chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses (differential, thermogravimetric and programmed reduction), FT-IR and UV–vis spectroscopies; the specific surface areas have been determined from nitrogen adsorption isotherms at −196 °C. Upon calcination at 1200 °C for 5 h in air all solids display a mixed structure (spinel and rock salt for MgO); these solids have also been characterised by these techniques and their chromatic coordinates (CIE – L∗a∗b∗) have been determined. Their pink colour makes these solids suitable for being used as ceramic pigments.

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