Structural analysis and characterization of doped spinel Co2−xMxTiO4 (M=Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) coated mica composite pigments

A new kind of composite mica pigments were prepared by coating Co2−xMxTiO4 composite oxide nanoparticles onto mica, to investigate the effects of doping ions Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ on the properties of the doped composite pearlescent pigments, such as the crystal structure, color and shading power. The structure, morphology, color and shading power of the coated pigments were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–vis spectrophotometer and CIE L*a*b* methods. SEM images of coated pigments showed that mica were coated uniformly with a single layer of dispersed nanoparticles. Research of the doped composite pigments showed that the doping ions had entered into the spinel crystal structure, forming a new kind of composite mica pearlescent pigments coated with Co2−xMxTiO4. For the analysis of color and shading power of the pigments, doping of Ni2+ and Zn2+ can improve the color and shading power of the doped pigments, but the larger dosage of Zn2+ doping can weaken the color and shading power of the doped pigments. Doping of Mg2+, Mn2+ and Cu2+ metal ions can also weaken the color and shading power of the doped pigments.