Inorganic Violet Pigment Based on Zn3Mo2O9

(Zn1−xCox)3Mo2O9 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) samples were synthesized as novel inorganic violet pigments by a conventional solid-state reaction method, and the obtained powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and L*a*b*Ch° chromatic coordinates. The Co2+-doped samples showed optical absorption at wavelengths of 500−560 and 680 nm, which were attributed to the d–d transitions of Co2+, resulting in a violet color. The absorption intensity increased with increasing the Co2+ concentration. The most vibrant violet color was obtained with a composition of (Zn0.90Co0.10)3Mo2O9.