Optical and Thermal Characteristics of Ln-Doped LiZr2(PO4)3

Abstract

Phosphate pigments on basis of LiZr2(PO4)3 with a different content of lanthanides (Y, La, Ho, Er, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Tm, Yb, Lu, Pr, Tb, Ce) were prepared by solid state reaction. The samples were calcinated at 1000-1200 °C and their colour properties were studied by measurement of VIS reflectance (400-700 nm). On basis of this experiment, the compounds with the most nice colouration - Li1.5Zr1.5Ln0.5(PO4)3 (Ln(III) - Ho, Er, Nd, Sm) and LiZr1.5Ln0.5(PO4)3 (Ln(IV) - Pr, Tb, Ce) - have been chosen for the detailed characterisation (thermal stability and particle size) and tested for application in ceramic glaze. As a result it is shown that the doping with lanthanides induces interesting colouration however decreases thermal stability of LiZr2(PO4)3.