Synthesis of eco-friendly cobalt doped willemite blue pigment from white sand for multi-applications in coatings and inks

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the possibility of synthesizing cobalt doped willemite ceramic blue pigment by using Egyptian white sand as environmental and economical raw material for multi-applications in coatings and inks. Design/methodology/approach After the synthesis process, the prepared blue pigment was characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis technique. Then the blue pigment was integrated into both coating and ink formulations. The effect of the prepared multifunctional coatings on corrosion resistance and thermal stability was evaluated using different standard tests. Also, the effect of inclusion of blue pigment in flexographic printing ink formulation was done. Findings The results showed that the coating containing the cobalt doped willemite blue pigment offered good anticorrosive performance and high thermal stability. Additionally, the presented results revealed that integration of the blue pigment in flexographic printing ink formulation enhanced fineness, gloss, viscosity and color more than the commercial one “FX 430–201.” Originality/value In conclusion, relied on the eco-friendly principle which can be regarded as an economic and green strategy, it can be obtained that this new pigment can provide good multifunctions such as corrosion resistance and thermal stability in coatings and good fineness, gloss, viscosity and color in inks which can enable them to be widely applied in different industries.