A blue-pigment copper cyclotetraphosphate Cu2P4O12 was synthesized by a simple wet preparation method using copper oxide and phosphoric acid at 350 οC. The crystallite size obtained from X-ray line broadening is 53 ± 11 nm for the Cu2P4O12. The FTIR spectrum of Cu2P4O12 is assigned a base on the P4O12 4- ion in the structure, which indicates the most striking feature of cyclotetraphospate. XRD and FTIR results of the synthesized Cu2P4O12 indicate the pure monoclinic phase with space group C2h 6 (C2/c). SEM micrographs of the synthesized Cu2P4O12 show rice-like grains, a porous structure and agglomerations, which are important for a specific application. The UV-Vis-NIR spectrum confirms the octahedral coordination of the Cu (II) ion and blue pigment.
Keywords: Copper cyclotetraphosphate, FTIR, Rice-like grains, XRD, UV-Vis-near IR.