Spain. The research group of the University of Alicante in vision and color has developed a novel procedure for obtaining natural hybrid nanopigments capable of optimizing the optical, thermal and mechanical properties of the composite materials to which they are applied.
These new nanopigments allow full control of properties such as the amount of dye adsorbed, the degradation temperature of the dye or final composite material, flexural strength, UV degradation resistance, transparency or color resistance, among others.
To that end, experts use nanoclays that are completely natural, harmless to humans, and that are obtained from minerals, such as montmorillonite, for cosmetics or hydrotalcite, which are used in drugs such as stomach acid sequestrants. "Depending on the property of the material to be improved, the most suitable nanoclays and additives for synthesis are selected, as well as the order in which they are added," explain UA researchers Bàrbara Micó and Francisco M. Martínez-Verdú.
The innovation, already patented, is a revolution for several industrial sectors, since it allows to obtain materials with advanced properties and a high resistance to physical agents such as solar radiation, temperature, rubbing of clothes, etc. It also reduces costs as it is a synthesis process (mixing) carried out at room temperature with basically two ingredients: a dye and a nanoclay, both natural.
In this sense, the nanopigments obtained are able to increase the optical, thermal and mechanical resistance of many products, including printing inks, paints, functional bioplastic dyes using 3D printing for car interiors, synthetic or natural fibers, ceramics, paper, toys, footwear, cosmetics or food packages, as well as in materials used in the construction industries, textiles, wood, furniture, stone or marble.
"With these nanopigments, for example, the color of furniture or building materials becomes more resistant in outdoor areas directly exposed to natural light," explains Ms. Micó. In cosmetics such as makeup or lipstick, "it is possible to achieve greater durability and a wider range of colors if mixed with other pigments," as Mr. Martínez-Verdú pointed out.
Source: University of Alicante.
