A material has a mass of powder particles. The mass of powder particles includes controlled binary macrosegregated powder particles made of at least two constituent elements. Each controlled binary macrosegregated powder particle has a chemically binary structure wherein the chemical composition varies from one side to the other side of the powder particle. The controlled binary macrosegregated powder particles may be used in applications which conventionally employ homogeneous powder particles, such as paints, solar cells, and the like. A paint uses as its pigment the controlled binary macrosegregated powder particles whose compositions are within the chemical system Zn(Al,Ga)₂O₄, and an inorganic or organic binder. The controlled binary macrosegregated powder particles are made by chemical synthesis at temperatures below those conventionally used to prepare homogeneous particles.