Nanoparticle Coating Enhances Chromaticity of Thin Film Interference Pigments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blends of colorants and Fabry-Perot multilayer structures face challenges in achieving desired final colors due to variables like colorant concentration, size, and distribution, leading to difficulties in formulation and batch-to-batch reproduction. Additionally, large colorant particles increase light scattering, affecting the color's appearance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a thin film interference pigment coated with selectively absorbing nanoparticles, which can manipulate the reflectance of the pigment to enhance chromaticity and create colors not achievable with the pigment alone. This coating can include a variety of nanoparticles, such as titanium dioxide or cyan pigments, applied in different concentrations and configurations to achieve specific color effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a blend of colorant and Fabry-Perot multilayer structure is used to manipulate color, then color variety can be achieved, but formulation difficulty increases due to variables in colorant concentration, size, and distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the particle size parameter of the colorant to the nanoscale range (1-100 nm), which fundamentally alters the optical properties and eliminates light scattering issues associated with larger particles. This parameter change enables consistent color production without the formulation difficulties caused by variations in colorant concentration, size, and distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system where nanoscale colorant particles are integrated with the Fabry-Perot multilayer structure. This composite approach combines the interference effects of the multilayer structure with the selective absorption properties of the nanoparticle colorants, achieving versatile color manipulation while maintaining formulation consistency.
2Quantity of substance
If a large quantity of colorant particles is distributed in ink or paint to create color, then color saturation can be achieved, but light scattering increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the size parameter of colorant particles to the nanoscale range (1-100 nm). At this scale, particles no longer act as significant light scattering centers while maintaining their color absorption properties. This enables high colorant concentration to achieve saturation without the harmful light scattering effect that occurs with larger particles.
3Ease of manufacture
If colorant absorbing pigments with large particle sizes are used in blends, then color absorption can be achieved, but light scattering increases because each large particle can independently scatter light
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the particle size parameter from large (micrometer scale) to small (nanometer scale, 1-100 nm). This parameter change maintains the color absorption capability of the pigments while eliminating their ability to independently scatter light, as nanoparticles below the wavelength of visible light do not produce significant scattering effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The described solution improves chromaticity and color saturation, allowing for the creation of colors that would be impossible with the thin film interference pigment alone, while also reducing light scattering and enhancing the consistency of color production across batches.
Implementation Method 1
Fabry-Perot multilayer structures exhibit a color primarily because of the thickness of a dielectric layer present in the structure
Implementation Method 2
a coating including a selectively absorbing nanoparticle on the thin film interference pigment
Data Source
AI summary
An article including a thin film interference pigment; and a coating including a selectively absorbing nanoparticle is disclosed. The article can exhibit increased chromaticity as compared to the thin film interference pigment alone. A method of making the article is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a thin film interference pigment and coating the thin film interference pigment with a selectively absorbing nanoparticle.