The synthesis and characterization of environmentally benign praseodymium-doped TiCeO4 pigments

Novel inorganic pigments of general formula TiCe1−xPrxO4−δ (x ranges from 0 to 0.7) were synthesized using a solid-state route with the aim of preparing environmentally friendly red pigments. Characterization using X-ray powder diffraction, UV–vis spectroscopy and color measurement revealed the formation of pigments with colors ranging from white to brick red. The color of the pigments arises from the introduction of an additional electronic energy level in the forbidden band of the unpaired 4f electron of the praseodymium ion. The red ceramic pigments were found to be interesting alternatives to existing inorganic red pigments for the coloration of plastics.