Environmentally benign sol–gel derived nanocrystalline rod shaped calcium doped cerium phosphate yellow-green pigment

Nanocrystalline rod shaped calcium doped cerium phosphate yellow-green pigment particles having an average length of ~100 nm and aspect ratio 10 even after calcination at 600 °C have been realized through an aqueous sol–gel process. The morphology, particle size and identification of the phase are determined by using different analytical tools such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), Fourier-transform IR (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption analysis showed the pigment particles are mesoporous texture having specific surface area 42 m 2 g −1 and average pore size 153 Å. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis is used to explain the thermal phase stability of the pigment. UV–Visible spectroscopy and colorimetric analysis are also done. The typical yellow-green color has been obtained even after heating to as low as 600 °C, which is 300 °C lesser than reported. Systematic study on synthesis and effect of temperature on color are presented.