Rapid microwave assisted synthesis of YIn1-xMnxO3 blue pigments: Synthesis, microstructure and optical properties

The YIn 1-x Mn x O 3 ( 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 ) blue pigment samples are successfully prepared through a sol-gel process followed by microwave assisted sintering process. All the samples are shown single phases in the X-ray diffraction results. In the morphology study from scanning electronic microscope, the samples are composed of loosely connected small particles. The oxidation state of Mn is confirmed to be 3 + from the results of X-ray photonelectronic scan. The optical properties are characterized by UV–Visible spectrum and UV-visible-NIR spectrum. The samples exhibit intense blue color and they show small absorption in infrared region.