The synthesis, characterisation and testing of materials as new inorganic blue, red and infrared-reflecting black pigments is presented. A previously unpublished route to the synthesis of microcrystalline KCoAI(P04)2 has been developed and the structure (monoclinic e2k) of the material produced has been verified by refinement against powder neutron diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction. Cs2C02AI(P04)3 displays a chiral colouring of the polyhedral pollucite network and is the first example of a transition metal-loaded material synthesised at high temperature to do so. Refinement of the structure against powder neutron diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction suggests that the tetrahedral sites are fully ordered, with P(V) on one and Co(II)/AI(III) on the other. Rb2C02AI(P04)3 has rhombohedral symmetry at room temperature (R32) and undergoes a phase transition with increased temperature, which is complete by 500°C, yielding a chirally decorated cubic phase akin to that of Cs2C02AI(P04)3. KCoAI(P04h, Cs2C02AI(P04)3, and Rb2C02AI(P04)3 react to lose their intense blue colours when fired in tableware glazes, and lack opacity when fired in glass enamels. The materials are stable as suspensions in PVC, indicating their potential as pigments in plastics. The ability of some chromium-doped pyrochlore materials to act as red inorganic pigments has been explored. The material Y2Th-xCrx07-o has been synthesised with maximum doping represented by Y2Ti1.84CrO.1607-0, which has a red-brown colour. Y2Sn2-xCrx07-0 has been synthesised where x = 0.02, 0.04, and 0.08. These materials are shades of pink, with colour intensity increasing with doping. The material Y2Th-xSbx/2Crx/207-0 has been synthesised where x = 0.25, 0.5 ... 1.75, giving colours ranging from brown to green. Refinement of the structures against powder X-ray diffraction suggests a solid solution between Y2Th07 and YSbCr07. Upon increased levels of doping the M-O bond distances at the mixed metal site increase, as does the extent of trigonal distortion. This is accompanied by a reduction in distortion at the yttrium site. Differences in the colour between these pyrochlores probably arise from a combination of the Cr-O bond compression, and distortion at the octahedral site. Y2Snl.92CrO.OS07-0 was tested on ceramic unglazed tiles, and also in a glass enamel, retaining its colour and providing a glossy finish on both. On glass the material showed less stability in a bismuth-free enamel, but retained its colour well in a bismuth-containing enamel. Y2Til.s4Cro.1607-o lacks stability on tile glazes and glass enamels. BhMn3FeOIO, Bi2Mn3Ti03, BhMn3.7SAlo.2S01O, DyMn20s and ErMn20S have been synthesised as analogues to the infrared reflecting pigment Bi2Mfi401O. Of these, BhMn3.7SAlo.2S01O offers superior reflectance. The spinel and ilmenite phases ZnNil_xFexTi04 and Nil-xFexTi03 are reported (where x = 0.1, 0.3 ... 0.9), and assessed to be poorer reflectors than BhMfi401O. Of most interest with regard to infrared-reflecting black materials has been the synthesis of Bi2Mn3.7sAlo.2S01O, which offers greater reflectance than the commercial pigment BhMfi401 (). and is also not covered by patent law.

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The microbiological characterisation as well as the application of microbiocides for the storage and protection of mineral dispersions is of ever-increasing interest for scientists and industrialists and includes many challenges for the mineral slurry producer and user. Increasing conversion from dry pigment handling to water-based dispersions is taking place over a wide range of production applications, for example, papermaking filler products and coating formulations in both the paper and paint industries. The requirements for the delivery of preserved slurried products begins from the moment the mineral is extracted or synthetically produced. The process conditions are as important regarding bacterial colonisation and control as the delivery and storage strategy of the end-product itself. This thesis attempts to give a detailed insight into the background issues and procedures needed to provide an environment of "good housekeeping", essential in optimising the microbiological control needed for preservation and acceptable application of the pigment in its end-use. On this base, the latest research on the bacterial strains, their identification, measurement and growth dynamics in real-time are presented, and new biocide strategies, applicability and constraints are discussed. Illustrations are given throughout of the sources of microbiological contamination likely to occur during production, storage and transportation. Based on the current knowledge being gained from combining active Research and Development and on the ground applications expertise, new possibilities for optimising microbiological quality control are described.