Novel environmentally friendly (Bi, Ca, Zn, La)VO4 inorganic yellow pigments

Novel inorganic yellow pigments, Bi1-x-y-zCaxZnyLazVO4-(x+ y)/2 (0.04 <= x <= 0.12; 0.01 <= y <= 0.05; 0.01 <= z <= 0.10) were synthesized as environmentally friendly inorganic materials, and their color properties were characterized. All the pigments exhibited brilliant yellow colors, and using the CIE L*a*b* system, the most vivid yellow hue was obtained for Bi0.85Ca0.08Zn0.02La0.05VO3.950 with a yellowness value (b*) of +93.5, which is much greater than that of a commercially available BiVO4 pigment (b*=+76.9). Since BiVO4 is an environmentally friendly inorganic yellow pigment, and Ca, Zn, and La are also nontoxic and safe elements, the Bi0.85Ca0.08Zn0.02La0.05VO3.950 pigment could be an effective alternative to conventional toxic yellow pigments.