Turquoise blue nanocrystalline pigment based on Li1.33Ti1.66O4: Synthesis and characterization

Turquoise blue Li1.33Ti1.66O4 is an environmentally friendly inorganic pigment, it was synthesized using the sol–gel method. The particle size was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), obtaining an average diameter of 27.5 ± 3 nm. The pigment shows a brilliant turquoise blue color, due to Ti3+–Ti4+ intervalence charge transfer transitions and presents thermal stability up to 1000 °C. The Li1.33Ti1.66O4 nanoparticles were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. The color properties and the thermal stability of this pigment suggest that it has potential to be applied as a satisfactory pigment for cosmetics, plastics, glasses and inks.