Preparation and characterization of ZnFe_1.2Cr_0.8O₄ water-based ceramic inks obtained using a polymeric dispersant

Abstract

Reddish-brown water-based ceramic inks composed of ZnFe_1.2Cr_0.8O₄ pigment, a polymeric dispersant AD01, and some additives, were successfully obtained by grinding method. The effect of dispersant on ceramic inks, especially particle size and distribution were investigated. The grinding and dispersion mechanism of particles in the grinding processing has been discussed. The stability of particles in ceramic inks was also evaluated. Moreover, the inkjet printing performances of the water-based ceramic inks were predicted by using the dimensionless parameters Reynolds number (Re), Weber number (We), and Ohnesorge number (Oh). The results show that the water-based ceramic inks with appropriate viscosity (12.05–23.05 mPa·s), surface tension (27.7–31.7 mN/m) and density (1.331–1.348 g/cm³) can satisfy the inkjet printing requirements, and show excellent coloring ability on ceramic glaze, indicating that the water-based ceramic inks prepared have a promising application prospect.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Spinel pigment
• polymeric dispersant
• micronization
• water-based ceramic inks
• inkjet printing

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest exists in the manuscript, and the manuscript is approved by all authors for publication. I would like to declare on behalf of my coauthors that the work described was original research that has not been published previously, and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the 2016 Year Yang Fan Innovative & Entrepreneurial Research Team Project of Guangdong Province of China (Grant No. 2016YT03G125).