Synthesis and application of pigments based on lanthanide orthoferrites

In this work, we synthesized oxides with perovskite LnFeO3 type structure (where Ln = La, Pr and Nd), aiming their use as ceramic pigments. The as-synthesized powders, prepared by gelatin method, were thermally treated at 600 and 800 °C to obtain the perovskite phase. The characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction technique, followed by Rietveld refinement, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, spectroscopy in the UV-Visible region and CIE Lab colorimetry. The calcined powders were also used for fabrication of ceramic pieces to evaluate the colour when 2 wt.% of the powders was added into a transparent glaze. The pigments presented shades ranging from pale brown for the powdered samples to yellowish when applied in the glazes.