Ceramic pigments based on chromium doped alkaline earth titanates

Abstract In this paper M(Ti 1− x Cr x )O 3 with M=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and x =0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1 compositions have been prepared by solid state reaction in order to analyze their reactivity, structure, limit of solid solution, stability and pigmenting properties in conventional ceramic glazes. Cr–MgTiO 3 crystallizes magnesium ilmenite MgTiO 3 (SG=R-3) with residual MgCr 2 O 4 spinel that inhibits the Cr entrance in solid solution and do not show pigmenting properties. Cr–CaTiO 3 crystallizes orthorhombic perovskite (SG=Pbnm) pink solid solutions associated to Cr 4+ –Ti 4+ substitutions which above x =0.03 unstabilizes in glazes and produce light green shades. Cr–SrTiO 3 crystallizes ideal cubic perovskite (SG=Pm3m) pink solid solutions that unstabilizes in glazes above x =0.01. Finally Cr–BaTiO 3 crystallizes tetragonal perovskite (SG=P4mn) with residual peaks of BaCrO 4 at x =0.1 showing pink solid solutions until x =0.05 that unstabilizes in glazes above x =0.03. All powders show aggregates (between 2–10 μm of size) of fine particles (between 200–1000 nm).