Synthesis of chromium-doped malayaite pigments from wastewater containing low chromium(VI).

Abstract A malayaite pigment was synthesized with wastewater containing low chromium (Cr)(VI) by a novel liquid-phase reaction method. The effects of the particle size of the precursor and calcination temperature on the final product are examined. The result of scanning electron microscopy shows that the obtained precursor is amorphous and the particle size is approximately 250 nm. The results of X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry show that the complete transformation temperature was approximately 1050 °C. Furthermore, the Commission International de l’Eclairage laboratory shows that the red color of as-prepared pigments is more saturated with a high a* value at 34.1. This process of malayaite pigment preparation via reuse of the Cr(VI)-containing wastewater is quite simple, economical, and energy-saving for the industry, and the products have a saturated red color. There is considerable foreground for the industrial application of this work.