• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2010

A powder, containing 80 percent of blue cobalt aluminate $(CoAl_2O_4)$ crystallites, was synthesized at $210 ^{\circ}C$ using a (metal nitrate-malonic acid-ammonium hydroxide-ammonium nitrate) system. The optimal amount of concentrated ammonia water and initial decomposition temperature were determined for the blue $CoAl_2O_4$ crystallites preparation. Three $CoAl_2O_4$ precursor pastes, corresponding to the various amounts of concentrated ammonia water, were prepared by evaporating the initial solutions in an electric furnace fixed at $80 ^{\circ}C$ under a vacuum of 25 torr. The initial solution was used to dissolve the starting materials. The powder with the maximum content (80%) of blue $CoAl_2O_4$ crystallites was prepared when the prepared precursor was decomposed at $210 ^{\circ}C$. The blue $CoAl_2O_4$ crystallite content in the prepared sample decreased with increasing initial decomposition temperature. For 0.2 mole of the $Al^{3+}$ ion, the chemical compositions of the precursor corresponded to molar ratios of 0.4, 1.40, 2.56 and 2.00 for the $Co^{2+}$ ion, malonic acid, ammonia and ammonium nitrate per mole of the $Al^{3+}$ ion, respectively. The blue $CoAl_2O_4$ crystallite content in the sample decreased with the amount of ammonia deviated from the optimal value. The characteristics of the powders were examined using X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller technique.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.510-517
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• 2013

In this study, the properties of blue inorganic nano-pigments with a spinel structure were systematically investigated. We report the preparation of a blue ceramic nano-pigment and the Co and Ni substitutional effects on the blue color. $MgAl_2O_4$ was selected as the crystalline host network for the synthesis of cobalt and nickel-based blue ceramic nano-pigments. Various compositions of $Co_xMg_{1-x}Al_2O_4$ and $Ni_xMg_{1-x}Al_2O_4$ ($0{\leq}x{\leq}1$) powders were prepared using apolymerized complex method. The obtained powder was preheated at $400^{\circ}C$ for 5 h and then calcined at $1000^{\circ}C$ for 5 h. XRD patterns of the (Co,Mg)$Al_2O_4$ and (Ni,Mg)$Al_2O_4$ samples showed a single phase of the spinel structure in all compositions. TEM results indicated nano-sized pigments for (Co,Mg)$Al_2O_4$ and (Ni,Mg)$Al_2O_4$ with a particle size ranging from 20 to 50 nm. The characteristics of the color tones of (Co,Mg)$Al_2O_4$ and (Ni,Mg)$Al_2O_4$ were analyzed by CIE $L^*a^*b^*$ measurements. In addition, the thermal stability and the binding characteristics of (Co,Mg)$Al_2O_4$, (Ni,Mg)$Al_2O_4$ are discussed in terms of the TG-DSC and FT-IR results, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.497-501
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• 2015

Inkjet printing is a widespread technology, offering advantages such as high-quality decoration, a continuous process, and the accurate direct reproduction of patterns or pictures. In inkjet printing technology, the dispersion stability of ceramic ink is one of the most important factors. In this study, the dispersion stability of blue $CoAl_2O_4$ ink for ceramic inkjet printing is systematically investigated. Blue $CoAl_2O_4$ pigment was synthesized by a solid-state reaction and then milled to less than 300nm in size. In order to investigate the influence of the viscosity on the dispersion stability, two types of $CoAl_2O_4$ ceramic inks (termed here Blue L and Blue H) were prepared using different volume ratios of ethylene glycol and ethanol. The Blue L and Blue H ink solutions contained cetyltrimethylammonium bromide(CTAB) as a dispersive agent. The viscosity, surface tension and jetting stability of the $CoAl_2O_4$ ceramic inks were analyzed using a rheometer, a surface tension meter and a dropwatcher. The dispersion stability of the $CoAl_2O_4$ ceramic ink was investigated by a multiple light-scattering method. Blue H, a ceramic ink with higher viscosity, showed much better dispersion stability than the Blue L ceramic ink.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.377-381
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• 2014

This work describes the coloration, chemical stability of $SiO_2$ and $SnO_2$-coated blue $CoAl_2O_4$ pigment. The $CoAl_2O_4$, raw materials, were synthesized by a co-precipitation method and coated with silica ($SiO_2$) and tin oxide ($SnO_2$) using sol-gel method, respectively. To study phase and coloration of $CoAl_2O_4$, we prepared nano sized $CoAl_2O_4$ pigments which were coated $SiO_2$ and $SnO_2$ using tetraethylorthosilicate, $Na_2SiO_3$ and $Na_2SiO_3$ as a coating material. To determine the stability of the coated samples and their colloidal solutions under acidic and basic conditions, colloidal nanoparticle solutions with various pH values were prepared and monitored over time. Blue $CoAl_2O_4$ solutions were tuned yellow color under all acidic/basic conditions. On the other hand, the chemical stability of $SiO_2$ and $SnO_2$-coated $CoAl_2O_4$ solution were improved when all samples pH values, respectively. Phase stability under acidic/basic condition of the core-shell type $CoAl_2O_4$ powders were characterized by transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, CIE $L^*a^*b^*$ color parameter measurements.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2014

Ink-jet printing technology has been widely attractive due to its facility for direct and fine printing on various substrates. Recent studies have focused on expanding the application of ink-jet printing technology from general consumer use and design companies to the prototype production of precision parts and parts manufacturing. The use of ink-jet printing technology in decorated tableware, tiles, and other ceramic products also has many advantages. The printing process is fast and can be adaptable to various kinds of objects because there is no direct contact point between the printer and the substrates to be printed. For application to ceramic product decoration, inks containing highly dispersed inorganic nano-pigments are required. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of blue $CoAl_2O_4$ nanopigment for ink-jet printing. Blue ceramic ink based on the obtained $CoAl_2O_4$ pigment was prepared by dissolving $CoAl_2O_4$ pigment in a mixed solution of ethylene glycol and ethanol with volume ratios of 7:3 and 8:2, respectively, to obtain the appropriate viscosity for ink-jet printing. The ink solution contained 15 wt% of $CoAl_2O_4$ pigment and Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB) and Sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS) as dispersive agents. The prepared blue ceramic ink was stably jetted and formed a sphere-shaped droplet from an ink-jet printer.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.184-189
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• 2014

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) is a solid waste generated by the steel-scrap recycling process. It mainly consists of zinc oxides (ZnO), alumina ($Al_2O_3$), iron oxides ($Fe_2O_3$), and silica ($SiO_2$). Here we report the preparation and characterization of blue ceramic pigments using EAFD powder as a starting material. $(Zn(EAFD),Co)Al_2O_4$ blue ceramic pigment was prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The color characteristics of the pigment obtained were compared with those of pure $CoAl_2O_4$. The new pigment was characterized using XRD, CIE-$L^*a^*b^*$ color-measurements, SEM, and EDX. The XRD analysis revealed that the $(Zn(EAFD),Co)Al_2O_4$ pigment was composed of mainly the spinel phase of $(Zn,Co)Al_2O_4$. The $Zn(EAFD)_{0.25}Co_{0.75}Al_2O_4$ pigments showed a vivid blue color with a $b^*$ value of -28.64 and a good glaze stability with a transparent glaze.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.46-50
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• 2007

Blue phosphor calcium aluminate, $CaAl_2O_4:Eu^{2+}$ co-doped with $Nd^{3+}$ was prepared by solid state synthesis method. Phosphor materials with 1 mol% $Eu^{2+}$ and varying compositions of $Nd^{3+}$ show high brightness and long persistent luminescence. The synthesized phosphor materials were investigated by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, TEM, photoluminescence excitation and emission studies. Broad band UV excited luminescence of the $CaAl_2O_4:Eu^{2+}:Nd^{3+}$ was observed in the blue region (${\lambda}_{max}=440\;nm$) due to transitions from the $4f^65d^1$ to the $4f^7$ configuration of the $Eu^{2+}$ ion. $Nd^{3+}$ ion doping in the phosphor results in long afterglow phosphorescence when the excitation light is cut off.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.370-374
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• 2014

Inorganic pigments have high thermal stability and chemical resistance at high temperature. For these reasons, they are used in clay, paints, plastic, polymers, colored glass and ceramics. $CoAl_2O_4$ nano-powder was synthesized by reverse-micelle processing the mixed precursor(consisting of $Co(NO_3)_2$ and $Al(NO_3)_3$). The $CoAl_2O_4$ was prepared by mixing an aqueous solution at a Co:Al molar ratio of 1:2. The average particle size, and the particle-size distribution, of the powders synthesized by heat treatment (at 900; 1,000; 1,100; and $1,200^{\circ}C$ for 2h) were in the range of 10-20 nm and narrow, respectively. The average size of the synthesized nano-particles increased with increasing water-to-surfactant molar ratio. The synthesized $CoAl_2O_4$ powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis(XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and color spectrophotometry. The intensity of X-ray diffraction of the synthesized $CoAl_2O_4$ powder, increased with increasing heating temperature. As the heating temperature increased, crystal-size of the synthesized powder particles increased. As the R-value(water/surfactant) and heating temperature increased, the color of the inorganic pigments changed from dark blue-green to cerulean blue.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.255-264
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• 2013

Cobalt aluminate ($CoAl_2O_4$) is a highly stable pigment with excellent resistance to light, weather, etc., which has resulted in widespread use as a ceramic pigment. Due to the unique optical characteristics, $CoAl_2O_4$ is generally used as a coloring agent to decorate porcelain products, glass, paints and plastics. Here, $CoAl_2O_4$ pigments were synthesized by polymerized complex method and solid state reaction. Then $CoAl_2O_4$ pigment were grinded using the attrition milling with 1 mm size zirconia ball for 3 hours. The attrition milling process was performed at the constant speed of 800 rpm and ball to powder weight ratio (BPR) was 100 : 1. The characteristics of synthesized pigment were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size analyser (PSA) and CIE $L^*a^*b^*$. The XRD patterns of $CoAl_2O_4$ show single phase spinel structure. The particle size of $CoAl_2O_4$ measured by FE-SEM, TEM and PSA analysis was in the range of 100~200 nm. The blue color of obtained $CoAl_2O_4$ pigments could be confirmed through CIE $L^*a^*b^*$ measurement.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2014

In this study, a cobalt sulfate ceramic coating was sintered on various clays at $1250^{\circ}C$. The specimen characteristics were investigated by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), TG-DTA, UV-vis spectrophotometer, and HRDPM. The ceramic coating had a constant thickness of thousands ${\mu}m$, and the surface was confirmed to be densely fused. Other new compounds were produced by the cobalt sulfate sintering process and reactions. These compounds were a $CoAl_2O_4$ phase, $Co_2SiO_4$ phase, anorthite($CaAl_2Si_2O_8$) phase, and $FeAl_2O_4$ phase, respectively. UV properties of the coated specimen were investigated, celadon clay specimen in 530-550 nm band is showing a dark gray color. The white clay and white mix clay specimen in 460-500 nm band is showing a blue color. The cobalt-aluminate($CoAl_2O_4$) spinel and the cobalt-silicate olivine($Co_2SiO_4$) were the strongest of the ceramic pigments, producing a very pure, navy blue color.