Investigation of calcination atmosphere and iron content impacts on structural and optical properties of NiFexAl2-xO4 pigments synthesized via a gel method.
Key Points
Nickel aluminate pigments showed a transition from cyan to brown as iron content increased, demonstrating significant optical changes.
Phase analysis indicated that in a reducing atmosphere, nickel carbide forms instead of the expected spinel phase, affecting pigment properties.
Utilizing XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and FESEM, the study assessed the synthesized pigments' microstructural and optical characteristics.
Significance lies in understanding how dopant levels and synthesis atmospheres manipulate color and structure, crucial for various applications.