(Ca,Sr)(K,Na)AlSi3O8:Eu3+ photoluminescent pigment for traceability applications in ceramics

Within the circular economy framework, developing technologies that ensure product traceability have gained increasing relevance. However, there is no traceability solution applicable to ceramic tiles, due to the high temperature used during their processing. The proposed solution is a photoluminescent (PL) ceramic pigment with (Ca,Sr)(K,Na)AlSi₃O₈:Eu³⁺ crystallizations, compatible with conventional glazes. The designed material was applied by inkjet printing on the surface of a ceramic tile and the aesthetics of the product were preserved since it remained invisible unless ultraviolet light was used. This study investigated the compositional design, processing, and photoluminescence response of the PL ceramic pigment. Finally, the tool was industrially demonstrated by fabricating a suitable ink from the PL ceramic pigment and depositing it in a ceramic tile by inkjet printing. This study opens new avenues in ceramic industry, since these findings may be applied to other ceramic pigments for the fabrication of traceability tools for ceramic tiles.