Synthesis of LnCrO(3) perovskites and their color properties

The aim of this current study was to prepare LnCrO(3) (Ln= La, Pr, Nd) in order to investigate the influence of lanthanides ions on the structural and color properties of the chromites. The powders were synthesized by the microwave-assisted auto-combustion method using urea as a fuel. After calcination at 800 and 1000 degrees C, characterizations were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy and colorimetric analysis using CIE-Lab system. All the samples are considered single phase and nanocrystalline. There were not significant changes in the colorimetric parameters doped with lanthanides ions. The chromites presented colors with greenish gray tones which became darker in the calcined powders at higher temperatures. No change in the pigment color was observed when incorporated into transparent glaze.