Preparation of Zircon-Encapsulated Carbon Black Ceramic Pigment Using the Collapsed Mesoporous-Structure

Abstract

The black zircon encapsulated carbon black (C@ZrSiO4) ceramic pigment is prepared using the collapsed mesoporous-structure to improve the coverage of carbon black. In the preparation process, the tri-block copolymer (Pluronic P123, EO20PO70EO20) is used as both the template of mesoporous zirconia and the source of carbon black under the calcination at 300 °C in Ar. Carbon black originated from P123 distributes uniformly in the mesoporous zirconia. After mixed with SiO2 sol and re-calcinated at over 800 °C, the procedure loses gradually the mesoporous structure and reacts with SiO2 to generate zircon. Carbon black is encapsulated completely by dense zircon. After calcined at 900 °C in air to remove the possible uncoated carbon black, the obtained pigment still has the deep black hue (L* = 24.14). This preparation method provides a simple way to prepare black ceramic pigment.