Synthesis and Crystal-Chemical, Thermal, and Spectrochemical Properties of the Zn2 – 2xNi2xSiO4 Solid Solution with a Willemite Structure

It has been found that the isomorphic capacity of the Zn2 – 2xNi2xSiO4 solid solution with a willemite structure is 15 mol % Ni. The unit cell parameters of Zn2 – 2xNi2xSiO4 samples in the homogeneity range of the solid solution are nearly independent of the content of dopant х and are close to those of undoped Zn2SiO4. It has been shown that the melting point of Zn2 – 2xNi2xSiO4 decreases with an increase in х from 1512°С for х = 0 to 1455°С for х = 0.15. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum and color coordinates of Zn2 – 2xNi2xSiO4 correspond to the blue range, and the color intensity of the pigment increases with increasing nickel content.