• Universitat de València

• José Ramón Galán Mascarós

In recent decades, interest in metal oxides with spinel-like structure has increased due to their good physical properties and their wide applicability. At an industrial level, their synthesis requires a previous milling process at high temperatures (above 1,100°C) over a long period of time. However, this process, like other alternative methods, requires high energy and time resources and on top of that, the final products contain a high degree of impurities.

Researchers at the Institute for Molecular Science of the Universitat de València (ICMOL) have developed a new method for the synthesis of spinels from water-soluble precursors.  This method allows spinels to be obtained more quickly, with lower energy consumption, and with a higher degree of purity than by traditional methods.

The main applications of the technology are:

• In the ceramics sector: For the development of new pigments in the form of soluble ceramic inks, due to the colour, purity and stability at high temperatures of the spinels obtained.
• In other sectors: For the development of new pigments, which due to their solubility can be applied for pigmentation in plastics, paper, construction and in the production of certain types of paint.

The main advantages provided by this new method are:

• Faster spinel synthesis process, as it is a simplified method that does not require long waiting times.
• Lower costs associated with energy consumption during the heat treatment phase.
• High degree of purity of the spinels obtained, which can also be presented in the form of soluble inks.
• Versatility of the method, as it is possible to synthesise new types of spinels that cannot be obtained by traditional methods.

• Patent granted