Low-cost bismuth yellow hybrid pigments derived from attapulgite

Abstract

Attapulgite/bismuth yellow hybrid pigments were successfully fabricated by sol-gel method followed by a calcining process. The color of the hybrid pigments was superior to BiVO4 samples after incorporating of the “magic wand” of attapulgite, and this strategy was also in favor of controlling the growth of bismuth yellow nanoparticles on the surface of attapulgite without the free agglomeration. This color improvement of hybrid pigments was mainly related to the change of band gap energy due to the doping of the compositions of attapulgite. The hybrid pigments prepared exhibited the optimal color properties (L* = 79.39, a* = 4.69, b* = 86.19, C* = 86.32, and h° = 86.89) after introducing of 40% attapulgite. The as-prepared hybrid pigments could be served as an eco-friendly yellow colorant to replace the traditional and toxic ones for applications in both of hydrophobic polystyrene plastic and hydrophilic polyurethane resin, as well as facilely sprayed on various substrates. Therefore, this study will provide a feasible route to prepare the low-cost and high-grade bismuth yellow pigments with excellent color properties and thermal stability.