Colored Enamel with Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enamels struggle to maintain the deep and intense coloration achieved in glass, such as Murano glass, when applied to enamel, as metal nanoparticles tend to aggregate and lose their colloidal stability, resulting in dull or brownish colors instead of the desired deep red shades.
Innovation Solution
The use of metal nanoparticles, such as gold, silver, or platinum, coated with inert substances or surface-functionalized to prevent aggregation, combined with techniques like electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance to maintain colloidal stability, allowing for the creation of stable, intense colorations without conventional toxic pigments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If metal nanoparticles are used to provide deep and intense coloration in enamel, then the color intensity is improved, but the nanoparticles tend to aggregate and lose colloidal stability, resulting in dull or brownish colors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (such as silica particles or organic compounds) that acts as a mediator between the metal nanoparticles and the enamel matrix. This intermediary prevents direct aggregation of nanoparticles while maintaining their colloidal stability and intense coloration properties throughout the firing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the surface properties of nanoparticles through coating with inert substances or functionalization. This changes the surface energy and interaction parameters of the nanoparticles, preventing aggregation while preserving their optical properties and colloidal stability in the enamel
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional toxic pigments are used to achieve coloration in enamel, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but environmental and health standards become more restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of coloration from conventional toxic pigments to metal nanoparticles. This parameter change maintains manufacturing simplicity while eliminating toxicity, as the nanoparticles are introduced in controlled quantities and provide intense coloration without requiring toxic substances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining metal nanoparticles with enamel matrix. This composite approach replaces toxic conventional pigments with nanoparticle-based coloration, maintaining ease of manufacture while eliminating harmful factors through the inherent properties of the nanoparticle-enamel composite
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
This approach enables the production of translucent or transparent enamels with deep and intense colorations by preventing nanoparticle aggregation, achieving vibrant colors across the visible spectrum without the need for toxic salts, and allowing for layered effects that enhance color reflection and scattering.
Implementation Method 1
The color effect is mainly provided by surface reflection, multiple internal reflections and dispersion
Implementation Method 2
The color effect is mainly provided by surface reflection, multiple internal reflections and dispersion
Implementation Method 3
electrostatic repulsion, with the aid of charge carriers placed at the surface of the nanoparticles in such a way that they repel one another and remain in homogeneous suspension
Implementation Method 4
specific adsorption of ions. Thus, it is possible, for example, to add gum arabic, during the synthesis of the nanoparticles or to the aqueous solution, which will stabilize the suspension
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a translucent or transparent, colored enamel that contains metal nanoparticles that lost their natural tendency to aggregate with each other, and having a color essentially provided by the reflection of light. The nanoparticles have lost their natural capability to aggregate with each other due to the application of a coating, or because they have been functionalised electrostatically or using highly sterically hindered entities or using hydrophilic entities located at the surface thereof. The nanoparticles may be gold nanoparticles that impart an intense and deep red to said enamel.