Thermal stability and colour properties of CuZr4(PO4)6

In present work, CuZr4(PO4)6, which is a complex phosphate of NASICON family, has been characterised as ceramic pigment. To this purpose, its thermal stability, colour properties and some other important pigment characteristics were studied. In order to obtain pure phase ceramic powder of CuZr4(PO4)6, several synthesis approaches were attempted. The thermal transformations in the reaction mixtures were investigated by DTA-TG and XRD analysis. Thermal stability of the obtained products was studied using heating microscopy, DTA-TG and XRD analysis. Colouring performance and lightfastness of CuZr4(PO4)6 were tested within commercial ceramic glazes, and its colour in powder and glaze is described by means of CIELAB and CIELCh systems. It is shown that CuZr4(PO4)6 ceramic powder has sufficient thermal stability and attractive colouring properties to be used as ceramic pigment.