Mineralizer and charge-compensator synergistically enhanced novel (Li,Cr)–ZrSiO4 jade green pigment and its near-infrared reflection performance

A novel (Li,Cr)–ZrSiO4 jade green ceramic pigment was prepared using LiF as the mineralizer and synergistically enhanced charge-compensator. The effects of Cr/Si mole ratio on the synthesis and coloration of the pigment and the coloring mechanism were investigated via XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, EPR, NMR, UV–Vis–NIR and CIELAB colorimetry. The results demonstrate that the charge-compensator promotes the synthesis of ZrSiO4, and more Cr enters into the zircon lattice. When the n(Cr)/n(Si) is 0.2, the pigments exhibit a jade green hue (L* = 75.74, a* = -7.37, b* = 5.18). The band of the (Li,Cr)–ZrSiO4 pigments in the visible light region shifts towards positive wavelength (535 nm), which is closer to the center of the green light region. The novel pigments have excellent coloring performance stability while in a base glaze synthesized at 1200 °C and near-infrared reflectance in the range of 700–2500 nm. The co-doping of lithium balances bonding, thereby improving near-infrared performance, which shows broad development prospects in the field of ceramic applications and energy saving.