Preparation and color performance control of Cr2O3 green pigment through thermal decomposition of chromium hydroxide precursor

Cr2O3 green pigment was prepared through the thermal decomposition of chromium hydroxide precursor, which was precipitated by Cr(NO3)3 and NaOH solutions. The color performance of as-prepared Cr2O3 is comparable to the commercial pigment when the precursor was precipitated from 0.25 mol/L Cr(NO3)3 solution. When increasing the concentration of Cr(NO3)3 solution, the color of Cr2O3 becomes more reddish and much darker. The structure and morphology of different precursors and Cr2O3 samples were characterized. Amorphous precursor with non-agglomerated particles, which could be obtained by controlling the concentration of Cr(NO3)3 solution, was found to be a prerequisite for preparing Cr2O3 pigment with good color performance.