Fabrication and study of color and physical properties for cobalt silicate-titanite ceramic pigment by sol-gel method

Cobalt-based blue ceramic pigments are widely used in ceramic industries due to characteristics such as temperature stability, chemical stability and high resistance to these coatings. In this research, the blue silicate - titanate cobalt ceramic pigment is synthesized by sol-gel method and the dispersed pigments were printed on the ceramic by silk screen printing method in the industrial production line. Then its color and physical properties are investigated. The reflectance spectrum and colorimetric test (CIE L*a*b*) were performed to study of color value of the printed sample. Also, X-ray diffraction experiments and electron microscopy were used to study the crystalline structure and surface microstructure on the samples. Methylene blue test for determining of photocatalytic property and chemical resistance using ISO 10545-13 European standard have been used.  The results of the b * parameter and the reflection spectra indicate a dramatic increase in the blue value of the samples. Furthermore, the sample also has photocatalytic properties and good chemical resistance to the reference sample (white tile).