FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new inorganic green colorant having a general formula,

RE ₂ MoO ₆ (where RE is mixed rare earth metal and Mo is molybdenum metal) from mixed rare earth and molybdenum compounds and process of surface coatings thereof. The mixed rare earth compounds selected from carbonate of rare earth elements having atomic number in the range of 57 to 66 and having a composition lanthanum in the range of 43 ^~ 45% w/w, neodymium in the range of 33-35% w/w, praseodymium in the range of 9- 10% w/w, samarium in the range of 4-5% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5%w/w and ammonium molybdate. More specifically, the present invention provides a product and process for the preparation of inorganic green colorant from mixed rare earth compounds without separating individual rare earth elements present therein and thus producing highly cost effective green colorant. The invention has potential applications in the Colorant Industry to produce environment friendly, highly cost effective and economically viable green colorant for surface coating applications.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Inorganic colorants are widely employed in various applications such as paints, plastics, ceramics, rubbers, enamels and glasses. These pigments may impart coloristic properties and protect the coatings from the effects of visible as well as ultraviolet and infrared light.

For such applications, their properties like chemical and thermal stability, dispersibility, chromaticity, tint strength and covering or masking power are particularly important criteria to be taken into account in the selection of a suitable colorant. Unfortunately, the inorganic pigments which are suitable for such applications and which are today actually employed on an industrial scale generally comprise toxic metals ( ^' cadmium, lead. chromium and cobalt) (References may be made to ' ^' High Performances Pigments, ^' ' ed. by H. M. Smith, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2002). The coloring scale of red and yellow inorganic pigments is completely covered by the cadmium sulfoselenides. In the blue and green range besides the ultramarine pigments there are primarily offered cobalt and chromium pigments. The use of above pigments is becoming increasingly strictly controlled, or even prohibited by legislation in many countries, due to their toxicity which is widely known to be very high. Thus serious economic and industrial need continues to exist for substitute inorganic pigments devoid of the above advantages and drawbacks.

Rare earth elements offer a vast opportunity for the development of environmentally secure alternatives for many of the eco-constrained colorants. Rare earths, because of their unique electronic configuration of partially filled f-orbitals, show unusual magnetic and optical properties. The intense coloration of rare earth based materials can arise from mostly charge transfer interactions between a donor and acceptor with the ^' metal ion playing generally the role of an acceptor. Dopants based on rare earth elements in mixed oxide system offer an opportunity to tune the color response through the manipulation of energy gaps and derealization phenomena in conduction and valence bands. Thus this phenomenon offers scope for design of colorants for specific applications.

However, the separation of rare earths offers a formidable challenge in the field of separation science in view of their similar physico-chemical properties. This in turn results in high costs for obtaining pure individual rare earths. Thus the present invention provides an economic option to the Rare Earth Industry due to the use of mixed rare earth compounds for the manufacturing of green colorant.

Pure rare earth oxides/compounds have been widely employed for the manufacturing of wide range of colorants in the Pigment Industry. U.S. Patent 6,582,814, June 24, 2003 describes a novel process for the svnthesis of rare °arth-trans'tion metal oxide oigment?. having the general formula: (RE, Tm)O, , where RE is rare earth, Tm is transitional metal, x ranges from 0.08 to 12 and y ranges from x+l to 2JC+2, for use in plastics, paints, coatings, glass enamels and other materials with various advantages over the traditional pigment formulations. However, in this process green pigments are obtained using toxic metals like chromium.

Thermally/chemically stable and nontoxic inorganic pigments/colorants, characteristically green and well suited for the coloration of a wide variety of materials and substrates, for example, plastics, ceramics, etc. comprising at least one mixed oxide of the formula: Y ₂ BaCuO ₅ , Sm ₂ BaCuO ₅ and Yb ₂ BaCuO ₅ has been reported in the U.S. Patent No. 6,284,033, September 4, 2001.

New ecological green pigments based on Ca-Nd/Y-S system above mentioned application, in continuation with them have been well documented elsewhere for applications into plastics and paints (References may be made to M. D. Hernandez- Alonsoa, A. Gomez-Herrerob, A.R. Landa-Canovas, A. Duran, F. Fernandez-Martinez, L.C. Otero-Diaz, J. Alloys Compounds. 2001, 323-324, 297-302; E. U. Garrote, F. F. Martinez, A. R. L. Canovas, L. C O. Diaz, J. Alloys Compounds. 2006, 418, 86-89; U.S. Patent No. 5,501,733, March 26,1996).

The majority of the processes so far reported in the prior-art for the production of green inorganic pigments utilize pure rare earth compounds. However, recently Sreeram et. al. Reference may be made to WO2006/067799 Al, June 29, 2006, discloses a process for the preparation of green inorganic colorant by employing mixed rare earth compounds (cerium in the range : 40-45% w/w, praseodymium in the range: 4-6% w/w, lanthanum in the range : 15-25% w/w, neodymium in the range : 15-20% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5%) and nickel carbonate. However, the main drawback of this process is not economical and not environmental friendly as it. contains nickel as toxic element.

There is no prior information available on the use of mixed rare earth compounds by suitable combination with molybdenum for the synthesis of green pigment.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a new inorganic green colorant having a general formula RE ₂ MoO ₆ (where RE is mixed rare earth metal and Mo is molybdenum metal) from mixed rare earth compounds selected from carbonate of rare earth elements having atomic number in the range of 57 to 66 and having a composition of at least lanthanum in the range of 43-45% w/w, neodymium in the range of 33-35% w/w, praseodymium in the range of 9-10% w/w, samarium in the range of 4-5% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5% w/w and ammonium molybdate.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a green pigment which is economically viable which obviates the limitations of the Rare Earth Industry.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide toxic metal free inorganic green colorant as alternative to the existing toxic green colorants, so as they are environmental friendly.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide colorants that can be used to form colored objects or coatings through their use in paints, plastics, glasses, ceramics etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, die present invention provides a process for the preparation of green inorganic colorant from mixed rare earth and molybdenum compounds, comprising the steps: a) homogenizing mixed rare earth carbonate and ammonium molybdate. b) calcination of the homogenate obtained in step a) in air atmosphere to obtain particles of green inorganic colorant, c) cooling and subsequent reduction of particle, size.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixed rare earth carbonate used is mixture of the rare earth elements having atomic number in the range of 57 to 66 and having a composition of at least lanthanum in the range of 43-45% w/w, neodymium in the range of 33-35% w/w, praseodymium in the range of 9-10% w/w, samarium in the range of 4-5% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5% w/w.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the calcination temperature is in the range of 900° C -IlOO ⁰ C.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the time for calcination is in the range of 3-6 h with a rate of heating of 10°C/min.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the green inorganic colorant, which comprises mixed oxides of rare earth elements and molybdenum. Said green inorganic colorant obtained, has a general formula RE ₂ MoO ₆ (where RE is mixed rare earth metal and Mo is molybdenum metal).

In another embodiment of the present invention, in the green inorganic colorant the mixed rare earth metal content is 66.66 mol % and molybdenum metal content is 33.34 mol % of total metal content of the comocur.d of formula RE-McO,. In an embodiment of the present invention, the green inorganic colorant is of formula RE ₂ MoO ₆ The mixed rare earth metal content is 66.66 mol % and molybdenum metal content is 33.34 mol % of total metal content of the compound of formula RE ₂ MoO ₆ has chromaticity coordinates as per the CIE 1976 colour scales at different temperatures are 900° C L* = 79.54, a* = -7.16, b* = 20.90; 1000° C, L* = 83.79, a* = -9.58, b* = 29.97; 1100° C, L* = 82.44, a* = -10.13, b* = 36.44

In another embodiment of the present invention the particle size of the green inorganic colorant of formula RE ₂ MoO ₆ is in the range of 9-11 microns.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention the green inorganic colorant of formula RE ₂ MoO ₆ comprises of a tetragonal crystal structure.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention a process for the preparation of a green inorganic colorant comprising the steps of homogenizing the mixture of mixed rare earth carbonate (72.88 % w/w) and ammonium molybdate (27.12 %w/w) for 1-2 h by conventional ball mill, calcination at a temperature in the range of 900° C -1100 C in air atmosphere for a period of about 3-6 hrs. The rate of heating was maintained at 10° C/min.

Still in another embodiment of the present invention a process for colouring of a substrate material, comprising the step of adding to said material a colouring amount of a green inorganic colorant in an amount of 5 % by weight.

In another embodiment of the invention material is selected from the group consisting of Doly methacrvlate. organic oob'mers such as plasties. '/lasses, ceramics, oaints. textiles. In another embodiment of the invention, an inorganic green colorant which is toxic metal free as alternative to the existing toxic green colorants, so as they are environmental friendly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the invention an exemplary embodiment is described below considered together with the figures in which:

Fig. 1. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of mixed rare earth molybdate.

Fig. 2. Diffuse reflectance spectrum of mixed rare earth molybdate. Fig. 3. Thermogram of RE ₂ MoO ₆ green pigment

Fig. 4. Thermogram of 5% green pigment in PMMA substrate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel process for the preparation of green inorganic colorant from mixed rare earth and molybdenum compounds. The process involves homogenizing mixed rare earth compounds, which comprises mixed rare earth carbonate of rare earth elements having atomic number in the range of 57 to 66 and having a composition of at least lanthanum in the range of 43-45% w/w, neodymium in the range of

33-35% w/w, praseodymium in the range of 9-10% w/w, samarium in the range of 4-5% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5%, mixed with a metal ion preferably ammonium molybdate via solid state route.

The mixed rare earth carbonate (72.88 % w/w) and ammonium molybdate (27.12 % %w/w) are mixed in the stoichiometric ratio and heated at a temperature in the range of 900- 1100° C for 3-6 h and cooled to 35° C. The rate of heating was maintained at 10° C/min. The calcined mass after grinding with mortar and pestle to reduce the particle size to not more than 50 microns was characterized for its phase purity and optical properties. The obtained powders were examined by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) using Ni filtered CuKαl radiation with a Philips X ' pert Pro diffractometer. Morphological analysis was performed by means of scanning electron microscope with a JEOL JSM - 5600LV SEM. Optical reflectances of the powder was measured with UV-vis spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, UV-2450) using barium sulphate as a reference.

The color values are measured on the CIE (Commission Internationale de I' Eclairage) scale, represented by L* a* b*. The values a* (the axis red-green) and b* (the axis yellow-blue) indicate the color hue. The value L* represents the lightness or darkness of the color as related to a neutral grey scale.

In one aspect, the invention provides the preparation of green colorant by using the raw materials which are not exotic, are relatively inexpensive, and do not require complicated synthesis methods.

The present invention provides rare earth molybdate green pigments which may be used as colorant to plastics or organic coating compositions, textiles, glass and ceramic coating compositions, and the like. A further aspect of the present invention is ^' to provide a method for coloring a substrate. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate which is poly (methyl methacrylate), and adding rare earth molybdate green pigment to the substrate. In this application, the amount of pigment used was 5% by weight relative to the substrate.

The following examples are given to illustrate the process of the present invention and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention.

Example 1

The mixed rare earth carbonate (72.88 gms.) of rare earth elements having atomic number in the range of 57 to 66 and having a composition of at least lanthanum in the range of 43-45% w/w, neodymium in the range of 33-35% w/w, praseodymium in the range of 9-10% w/w, samarium in the range of 4-5% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5% w/w (Supplied by M/s Indian Rare Earths Limited, Mumbai under the trade name Didymium Carbonate) and ammonium heptamolybdate (27.12 gms.); purity 99.9%, Supplied by M/s Sigma Aldrich) were thoroughly mixed in an agate mortar with a pestle. The mixture was calcined at 900° C for 3 h in air. The rate of heating was maintained at 10° C/min. The heated mixture is then cooled to 35° C, ground to a particle size less than 50 microns in a mortar and pestle to obtain light green colored pigment. XRD pattern of the compound depicted in Fig. 1 indicates the incompletion of reaction at this temperature. The rare earth molybdate green pigment possesses a tetragonal structure. Morphological analysis performed by means of scanning electron microscope indicates the homogenous nature of the colorant obtained. Optical reflectance of the powder was measured with UV-vis spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, UV-2450) using barium sulphate as a reference and is shown in Fig.2. The chromaticity coordinates, determined by the CIE- LAB 1976 color scales are L* = 79.54, a* = -7.16, b* = 20.90.

Example 2

The mixed rare earth carbonate (72.88 gms.) of rare earth elements having atomic number in the range of 57 to 66 and having a composition of at least lanthanum in the range of 43-45% w/w, neodymium in the range of 33-35% w/w, praseodymium in the range of 9-10% w/w, samarium in the range of 4-5% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5% w/w (Supplied by M/s Indian Rare Earths Limited, Mumbai under the trade name Didymium Carbonate) and ammonium heptamolybdate ( 27.12 gms.); purity 99.9%, Supplied by M/s Sigma Aldrich) were thoroughly mixed in an agate mortar with a pestle. The mixture was calcined at 1000° C for 3 h in air. The rate of heating was maintained at 10° C ⁷ HUn. The heated mixture is then cooled to 35° C, ground *Ό a particle size less rhan 50 microns in a mortar and pestle co obtain light green colored pigment. The obtained powders were examined by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) using Ni filtered CuKαl radiation with a Philips X ' pert Pro diffractometer. The resulting pigment exhibited much better stability (Fig. 1) and color properties than the pigment illustrated in Example 1. Optical reflectance of the powder was measured with UV- Vis spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, UV-2450) using barium sulphate as a reference. The obtained colorant had L* a* b* values of 83.79, -9.58 and 29.97, respectively on the CIE-LAB 1976 color scales.

Example 3 The mixed rare earth carbonate (72.88 gms.) of rare earth elements having atomic number in the range of 57 to 66 and having a composition of at least lanthanum in the range of 43-45% w/w, neodymium in the range of 33-35% w/w, praseodymium in the range of 9-10% w/w, samarium in the range of 4-5% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5% w/w (Supplied by M/s Indian Rare Earths Limited, Mumbai under the trade name Didymium Carbonate) and ammonium heptamolybdate (27.12 gms.); purity 99.9%, Supplied by M/s Sigma Aldrich) were thoroughly mixed in an agate mortar with a pestle. The mixture was calcined at 1100° C for 6 h in air. The rate of heating was maintained at 10° C/min. The heated mixture is then cooled to 35° C, ground to a particle size less than 50 microns in a mortar and pestle to obtain light green colored pigment. The heating was done at a rate of 10° C/min and the heated mixture was then cooled to 35° C. The calcined mass was ball milled using a mortar and pestle to reduce the particle size. The product exhibited good phase purity and color properties as analyzed by XRD and diffused reflectance studies. XRD pattern of the compound depicted in Figure 1 is in good agreement with the powder X-ray diffraction file: PDF no. 24-550. The obtained intense green colored pigment is having a tetragonal crystal structure. The particle size of the pigment was analyzed in water using calgon as the dispersing agent by a particle size distribution analyzer ¹ OLAS 930 Liquid). The pigment particle size varies in the range of 9 ^~ 11 microns. Optical reflectance of the powder was measured with t ^' V-Vis spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, UV-2450) using barium sulphate as a reference is shown Figure 2. The obtained colorant had a green hue and L* a* l values of 82.44, -10.13 and 36.44, respectively on the CIE-LAB 1976 color scales. The pigment can be applied in plastics, paints, ceramics and the like.

Thermogravimetric analysis of the typical pigment RE ₂ MoO ₆ was carried out in the temperature range of 50-1000° C using Pyris Diamond TG/DTA Perkin Elmer make. It is clear from the thermogram analysis that the pigment is thermally stable up to 1000° C (Fig.3).

The typical pigment RE ₂ MoO ₆ was tested for its acid and alkali resistance. A pre-weighed quantity of the pigment was treated with 3% HC1/H ₂ SO ₄ /HNO ₃ and NaOH, and soaked for half an hour with constant stirring using a magnetic stirrer. The pigment was then filtered, washed with water, dried and weighed. No weight loss was noticed for all the acids and alkali tested. The typical L* a* fa* values after acid and alkali resistance tests were found to be (L* = 83.96; a* = -9.15; fa* = 35.95 and L* = 82.09; a* = -9.22; fa* = 36.10 for HNO ₃ and NaOH, respectively) same as that of pigment powder sample. Thus the designed green pigment is found to be chemically and thermally stable.

Example 4

5 weight % of the typical pigment sample, RE ₂ MoO ₆ (as ^' synthesized in Example 3) and 95 weight % of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (Sigma Aldrich) was dispersed in a Cold Curing Liquid (Acralyn 'R' , Supplied by M/s. Asian Acrylates, Mumbai) and the resultant mixture was ultrasonicated for 10 min to ensure complete homogenization. Then the pigment dispersion was slowly evaporated at 30 ^υ C and converted into a thick paste. The paste after 2 h of curing was compressed uniaxially into the form of cylindrical discs using a hydraulic press ⁽ Lawrence & Maya. India) at a pressure of 25 MPa. Both sides of the pigmented polymer were lapped using a fine grade emery sheet for obtaining a polished surface. Optical reflectance of the prepared pigmented substrate material was measured with UV-Vis spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, UV-2450) using barium sulphate as a reference. The obtained substrate material had a green hue and L* a* b* values of 63.82, -7.76 and 35.56, respectively on the CIE-LAB 1976 color scales.

Thermogravimetric analysis of the typical colored substrate material was carried out in the temperature range of 50-500° C using Pyris Diamond TG/DTA Perkin Elmer make. It is clear from the thermogravimetric analysis that the colored substrate material is found to be thermally stable up to 200° C (Fig.4).

ADVANTAGES

The invention has potential applications in the Colorant Industry to produce environment friendly, highly cost effective and economically viable green colorant for surface coating applications.