Synthesis and optical properties of environmentally benign and highly uniform NaCe(MoO4)2 based yellow nanopigments

Abstract

A method for the synthesis of uniform and aggregation free NaCeMoO based nanospheroids with tunable size is reported. The procedure is based on a precipitation reaction at 120 °C for 20 h from solutions containing NaMoO, sodium citrate and Ce(NO) and different amounts of Y(NO) or Gd(NO). The role played by the later compounds on the formation of the particles and their morphological and structural characteristics is analyzed through the analysis of the mechanism of particle formation. The chromaticity coordinates of the obtained samples are also evaluated showing that the here reported nanoparticles constitute an ecofriendly alternative to more toxic commercial yellow pigments. The synthesized nanoparticles are also free of aggregation in water suspensions and might be suitable for injet-printing technologies.