A ceramic pigment of neodymium disilicate (i.e., Nd2Si2O7) was synthesized via solid-state reaction with pre-grinding assistance and a mineralizer. The effects of pre-grinding and mineralizer (i.e., lithium chloride, boric acid and calcium fluoride) on the phase, microstructure and coloring properties of ceramic pigment were investigated by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and reflectance spectra in the visible range from 400 nm to 700 nm, respectively. The results show that the reaction temperature of Nd2Si2O7 can be decreased by pre-grinding, and the temperature of forming sole Nd2Si2O7 phase is further decreased by 200 oC when lithium chloride is used as a mineralizer. Boric acid as a mineralizer can lead to an uneven distribution of Nd and Si components. The sample synthesized with calcium fluoride as a mineralizer cannot obtain Nd2Si2O7 phase. Nd2Si2O7 can be synthesized effectively when lithium chloride is used as a mineralizer.

Keywords: Neodymium disilicate, Ceramic pigment, Solid-phase reaction, Pre-grinding, Mineralizer.