SrMn1-xFexO3-δ (x = 0–1) black ceramic pigment: Synthesis, color properties, and application

In this work, SrMn 1- x Fe x O 3- δ ( x  = 0–1) black ceramic pigments were synthesized by the solid-state method. The research explores the influence of calcination temperature and iron ion doping on the color properties of the pigments. Furthermore, the potential applications of SrMn 1- x Fe x O 3- δ pigments in ceramic glaze and heat-absorbing materials are also discussed. The findings reveal that the synthesized SrMnO 3 pigment exhibits the lowest L* -value (22.30) at 1100 °C, although it displays a slight blue hue. To optimize the color properties of the SrMnO 3 pigment, iron ion doping is employed. When the doping level of iron ions is 50 mol.% (i.e., x  = 0.5), the L* -value of the SrMn 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3- δ pigment calcined at 1000 °C significantly decreases to 19.77, while the a* - and b* -values approach 0, resulting in a pure black color. This is attributed to the high surface roughness , low band gap energy, and substantial oxygen vacancies present in the SrMn 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3- δ pigment. The tinting mechanism of the SrMn 1- x Fe x O 3- δ pigment in the ceramic glaze is classified as "ion tinting", wherein the glaze color relies on the concentrations of Mn and Fe ions. When the pigment content reaches 36 wt%, the L* -value of the glaze drops to 4.94, showing a deep black shade. Additionally, the SrMn 0.5 Fe 0.5 O 3- δ pigment exhibits excellent sunlight absorption capabilities, with a near-infrared reflectance ( R *) of only 5.04%. This research presents a black ceramic pigment with various advantages, such as simplified processing, affordability, environmental friendliness, and exceptional color performance.