Praseodymium-doped cubic Ca–ZrO2 ceramic stain

The cubic Ca–ZrO2 structure has been used as host for preparing a yellow ceramic stain using praseodymium as dopant. Samples with CaxPr0.1Zr0.9−xO2 (X=0.14, 0.17, 0.2) compositions have been prepared by the ceramic method (CE) and by several gel processing techniques: the colloidal method (CG), the gelatine method (GE), the citrate method (CI) and a polymeric route (PG). Fired samples have been evaluated as ceramic pigments following enameling with the powders in ceramic glazes. The results show that a yellow ceramic pigment is obtained in all samples without significative differences among the different methods and compositions. This yellow ceramic pigment has been identified as a Pr–(Ca–ZrO2) solid solution.