Pigment including a metal core, organic layer, and an inorganic layer
A pigment, including a flake including a metal core having a first surface and a second surface, a first dielectric layer interfacing with a first surface of the metal core, and a second dielectric layer interfacing with a second surface of the metal core; a first inorganic layer encapsulating the flake; and an organic layer encapsulating the first organic layer is disclosed. A colorant composition including the pigment is also disclosed. A method of making the pigment, and a method of making a colorant composition are also disclosed.
1. A pigment, comprising:
a flake including a metal core having a first surface and a second surface, a first dielectric layer interfacing with a first surface of the metal core, and a second dielectric layer interfacing with a second surface of the metal core;
a first inorganic layer encapsulating the flake;
an organic layer encapsulating the first inorganic layer; and
a second inorganic layer encapsulating the flake.
2. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the first inorganic layer interfaces with the flake.
3. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the organic layer is a multilayer including a first organic layer interfacing with a second organic layer.
4. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the organic layer interfaces with the first inorganic layer.
5. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the organic layer is a multilayer including alternating layers of a first organic layer interfacing with a second organic layer.
6. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the organic layer includes one or more polyelectrolytes.
7. The pigment of claim 6 , wherein the polyelectrolyte is chosen from polyallylamine hydrochloride, polysodium 4-styrenesulfonate, and combinations thereof.
8. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the organic layer includes a colorant.
9. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the organic layer is multiple alternating layers of charged material.
10. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the second inorganic layer interfaces with the organic layer.
11. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the second inorganic layer includes an inorganic material chosen from oxides, nitrides, carbides, sulfides, compounds thereof, and combinations thereof.
12. The pigment of claim 1 , wherein the second inorganic layer includes a functional material.
13. The pigment of claim 12 , wherein the functional material is an organosilane.
14. A pigment, comprising:
a flake including a metal core having a first surface and a second surface, a first dielectric layer interfacing with a first surface of the metal core, and a second dielectric layer interfacing with a second surface of the metal core;
a first inorganic layer encapsulating the flake; and
an organic layer encapsulating the first inorganic layer;
wherein the first inorganic layer is a layer of silica.
15. A method of making a pigment, comprising:
providing a flake including a metal core having a first surface and a second surface, a first dielectric layer interfacing with a first surface of the metal core, and a second dielectric layer interfacing with a second surface of the metal core;
applying a first inorganic layer by a sol-gel process to encapsulate the flake;
applying an organic layer to encapsulate the flake and the first inorganic layer; and
after applying the organic layer, applying a second inorganic layer to encapsulate the flake, the first inorganic layer, and the organic layer.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first and/or second inorganic layer has a negative or positive charge and is attracted to a positive or negative charge of the organic layer.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the second inorganic layer includes a functional material.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the pigment includes multiple interfaces to reduce propagation of cracks and increase the diffusion path of corrosive molecules.