Preparation and Coloration of Colored Ceramics Derived from the Vanadium-Titanium Slags

Vanadium-titanium slag is a type of industrial solid waste from vanadium-titanium magnetite, and the resource utilization of vanadium-titanium slag is of great significance. The chemical composition of vanadium-titanium slag is similar to ceramic raw materials. Besides, the Fe, Ti, and Mn elements in vanadium-titanium slags possess strong color rendering ability. In the present study, we explored the influence of Fe, Ti, and Mn in vanadium-titanium slags on the coloration of ceramics. Besides, the crystal structures and chemical constituents of the sintered ceramics were studied by XRD, SEM, EDS, XPS, and ultraviolet-visible near-infrared spectrophotometer, and the color-rendering ability (L∗a∗b∗ values) of the ceramics was investigated. The results showed that the main crystal phases of the ceramics were quartz and anorthite. In addition, the color of the ceramics with the addition of vanadium-titanium slags was significantly affected by Fe and Mn ions, which decreased their L∗ and a∗ values. Meanwhile, Ti ion alone had no apparent coloring effect but strengthened the coloring effects of Fe and Mn ions. This work could provide the feasibility for preparation of colored ceramics based on vanadium-titanium slag, which could be used in the fields of high-value added building decoration, infrared-emission ceramic, and artwork.