阅读说明：本技术 具有气相沉积的着色剂的粒子 (Particles with vapor deposited colorant ) 是由 A.阿尔戈伊蒂亚 L.梅雷迪思 C.托拉瓦尔 V.拉克沙 于 2017-12-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请涉及具有气相沉积的着色剂的粒子。所述粒子包括芯粒子；和包封所述芯粒子的包含有机着色材料的气相沉积的着色剂。所述粒子可为特效颜料或薄膜干涉颜料。还公开了所述粒子的制造方法。包括将载气引入到有机着色材料容器中；加热所述有机着色材料容器以产生有机着色蒸气；和将所述有机着色蒸气引入到包括芯粒子的流化床反应器中。(The present application relates to particles having a vapor deposited colorant. The particles comprise core particles; and a vapor deposited colorant comprising an organic coloring material encapsulating the core particle. The particles may be special effect pigments or thin film interference pigments. Methods of making the particles are also disclosed. Comprising introducing a carrier gas into an organic coloring material container; heating the organic coloring material container to generate an organic coloring vapor; and introducing the organic pigmented vapor into a fluidized bed reactor comprising core particles.)

1. A method of making particles, comprising:

introducing a carrier gas into a vessel comprising an organic coloring material;

heating the organic coloring material container to generate an organic coloring vapor; and

introducing the organic coloring vapor into a fluidized bed reactor or a rotating drum comprising core particles.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising introducing a carrier gas into the inorganic material container to generate an inorganic material vapor; and introducing the inorganic material vapor into the fluidized bed reactor.

3. A method of manufacturing particles comprising depositing a colorant comprising an organic colouring material onto core particles via vapour deposition.

4. The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the process is carried out at atmospheric pressure.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the organic coloring vapor is introduced at room temperature.

6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier gas is argon.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprising the carrier gas and the organic coloring material is heated at 250 ℃.

8. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the core particle is a reflector material comprising at least one of a metal and a metal alloy.

9. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core particle is a metal comprising aluminum, zinc, steel, copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt, niobium, chromium, tin, and mixtures thereof.

10. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the core particle is a metal alloy comprising at least one of stainless steel, brass, and bronze.

11. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inorganic material comprises magnesium fluoride, silicon monoxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, titanium dioxide, aluminum nitride, boron carbide, tungsten oxide, cerium fluoride, lanthanum fluoride, neodymium fluoride, samarium fluoride, barium fluoride, calcium fluoride, lithium fluoride, tungsten carbide, titanium nitride, silicon nitride, zinc sulfide, glass flakes, diamond-like carbon, and combinations thereof.

12. The method of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising introducing a carrier gas into the container comprising the organic uncolored material.

13. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method forms particles.

14. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the particles are thin film interference pigments or special effect pigments.

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to particles, such as pigments, having a core particle and a vapor deposited colorant comprising an organic colored (colored) material encapsulating the core particle. The particles may be special effect pigments (special effect pigments) or thin film interference pigments. Methods of making the particles are also disclosed.

Background

In its simplest form, colored metallic pigments are made from colored metals. The flakes (flakes) in these pigments have been coated with a colored transparent or translucent low refractive index material or high refractive index material. The color effect may result from a combination of reflection, absorption and interference of incident light. Interference colors in interference pigments have been produced by forming a Fabry-Perot (Fabry-Perot) structure composed of a transparent dielectric body and a translucent metal absorber on the surface of an aluminum sheet.

The methods of making colored metallic pigments differ in their properties. In one approach, aluminum flakes are coated with a metal oxide layer by one of many wet chemical methods, such as hydrolysis of organometallic ester compounds. Pigments have also been colored by: silica from tetraethyl silicate is sol-gel precipitated with dispersed colorant. Vacuum deposition techniques have been used to make colored metallic pigments based on fabry-perot structures. For example, when the spacer layer is made of a material having a high (n >2) refractive index, a colored pigment having a saturated color is produced. Color-shifting interference pigments are made when the dielectric layer has a low refractive index (n < 1.6).

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, particles are disclosed that include a core particle and a vapor deposited colorant comprising an organic colorant material at least partially encapsulating the core particle.

In another aspect, a method of making particles is disclosed that includes introducing a carrier gas into an organic coloring material container; heating the organic coloring material container to generate an organic coloring vapor; and introducing the organic pigmented vapor into a fluidized bed reactor comprising core particles.

The present invention includes, for example, the following aspects.

1. A pigment, comprising:

a core particle; and

a vapor deposited colorant comprising an organic coloring material at least partially encapsulating the core particle.

2. The pigment of claim 1, wherein the core particle is a reflector material comprising at least one of a metal and a metal alloy.

3. The pigment of claim 1, wherein the core particle is a metal comprising aluminum, zinc, steel, copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt, niobium, chromium, tin, and mixtures thereof.

4. The pigment of claim 1, wherein the core particle is a metal alloy comprising at least one of stainless steel, brass, and bronze.

5. The pigment of claim 1, wherein the vapor deposited colorant further comprises an organic uncolored (non-colored) material.

6. The pigment of claim 1, wherein the vapor deposited colorant further comprises an inorganic material.

7. The pigment of claim 1, wherein the vapor deposited colorant comprises at least two layers

8. The pigment of claim 7, wherein the at least two vapor deposited colorants are the same.

9. The pigment of claim 7, wherein the at least two vapor deposited colorants are different.

10. The pigment of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a dielectric layer and an absorber layer.

11. The pigment of claim 1, further comprising a protective layer comprising at least one of a passivation layer and a functionalized (functionalized) layer.

12. The pigment of claim 10, wherein the dielectric layer is a dielectric stack comprising a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer.

13. The pigment of claim 1, wherein the particles are special effect pigments.

14. The pigment of claim 1, wherein the core particle comprises a dielectric layer.

15. The pigment of claim 10, wherein the dielectric layer is a dielectric laminate.

16. The pigment of claim 13, further comprising an absorber layer.

17. The pigment of claim 1, wherein the particles are thin film interference pigments.

18. A method for producing particles, comprising:

introducing a carrier gas into the organic coloring material container;

heating the organic coloring material container to generate an organic coloring vapor; and

introducing the organic pigmented vapor into a fluidized bed reactor comprising core particles.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising introducing a carrier gas into the inorganic material container to produce an inorganic vapor; and introducing the inorganic vapor into the fluidized bed reactor.

20. A method of manufacturing particles comprising depositing a colorant comprising an organic colouring material onto core particles via vapour deposition.

Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein.

Drawings

The present disclosure, in its various aspects and embodiments, may be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a particle according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a particle according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an apparatus arrangement for carrying out a method of making particles according to one aspect of the present invention; and

fig. 14 is an apparatus for carrying out a method of manufacturing particles according to another aspect of the present invention.

Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification and the drawings.

Detailed Description

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings. The layers/components (elements) shown in the various figures may be described with respect to particular figures, but it is understood that the description of a particular layer/component (element) will apply to equivalent layers/components (elements) in other figures.

In its wide and varied embodiments, particles having saturated colors, such as special effect pigments or thin film interference pigments, are disclosed herein. The core particles may be at least partially encapsulated with a vapor deposited colorant comprising at least one of an organic colored material, an organic uncolored material, an inorganic material, or a combination thereof, including at least one colorant layer. Vapor deposited colorants can be used to alter the optical properties of the particles, protect the resulting particles from oxidation, reduce the reactivity of the resulting particles with the surrounding medium, and/or functionalize the surface of the particles. The encapsulation of the core particles, e.g. at least partial encapsulation, may be done in a dry, i.e. non-wet, environment and thus does not require any filtration, drying etc. processes that would be used in encapsulation in a wet environment. At least partial encapsulation of the core particles may occur at near atmospheric pressure and thus may avoid the use of equipment required for operation under vacuum. The particles may be used with light detection and radar (LIDAR) technology applications.

The particles, e.g. pigments, may be obtained by simply adding a selective absorbing layer on core particles, e.g. platelets, and/or by a combination of absorption and thin film interference. In some aspects, the particles, such as pigments, can include an encapsulating absorber layer to create a special effect pigment.

Fig. 1 illustrates a particle comprising a core particle 1 and a vapour deposited colorant 2 encapsulating said core particle 1. The colorant may at least partially, e.g. completely, encapsulate the core particle. The core particle 1 may be in the form of a platelet or a flake.

The core particle 1 may comprise any material that may render the core particle 1 opaque, such as a reflector material. In one aspect, the material may be a metal and/or metal alloy. In one example, the material for the core particle 1 may include any material having reflective properties. An example of a reflector material may be aluminum, which has good reflective properties, is inexpensive, and is easily formed into or deposited as a thin layer. However, other reflector materials may be used instead of aluminum. For example, as reflective materials, aluminum, zinc, steel, copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, cobalt, niobium, chromium, tin, and combinations or alloys of these or other metals, such as bronze, brass, and stainless steel, may be used. In one aspect, the material for the core particle 1 may be white or light colored metal. Other useful reflector materials include, but are not limited to, transition and lanthanide metals and combinations thereof.

The thickness of the core particle 1 may be in the range of about 10nm to about 2000nm, although this range should not be considered as limiting. In one aspect, the core particle 1 may comprise a thickness in the range of: from about 20nm to about 1750nm, for example from about 40nm to about 1500nm, from about 60nm to about 1000nm, from about 80 to about 900nm and as a further example from about 100 to about 800 nm. For example, for a material such as aluminum, a lower limit of 10nm may be selected such that the aluminum has a minimum optical density of about 0.5 at a wavelength of about 550 nm. Other reflector materials may prove necessary with higher or lower minimum thicknesses to achieve sufficient optical density or to achieve the desired effect. The upper limit of about 2000nm may also be higher or lower depending on the desired effect and the material used.

The core particle 1 may be microstructured to provide the diffractive properties of the light. In one aspect, the core particle 1 may be made of any material and in any thickness as long as the core particle 1 is opaque.

As illustrated in fig. 1, the core particle 1 may be at least partially encapsulated by a vapor deposited colorant 2. The vapor deposited colorant 2 may encapsulate all sides (faces) (top, bottom, right and left) of the core particle 1. Alternatively, the vapor deposited colorant 2 may cover one, two or three sides of the core particle 1. For example, the vapor deposited colorant 2 may cover two opposing sides. The vapor deposited colorant 2 may cover only (exactly) the top and bottom sides of the core particle 1, or for example, the vapor deposited colorant 2 may cover only (exactly) the right and left sides of the core particle 1. In another aspect, the vapor deposited colorant 2 may partially (locally) cover all sides of the core particle 1.

The vapor deposited colorant 2 may comprise any organic coloring material, such as organic pigments and organic dyes. In one aspect, the vapor deposited colorant 2 can comprise an organic colorant material. Non-limiting examples of organic coloring materials include perylenes, perinones, quinacridones, quinacridonequinones, anthrapyrimidines, anthraquinones, anthanthrones, benzimidazolones, disazo condensates, azos, quinolones, xanthenes, azomethines, perylenes, quinacridones, and quinacridones,Quinophthalone, indanthrone, phthalocyanine, triaryl carbonIIOxazines, aminoanthraquinones, isoindolines, diketopyrrolopyrroles, thioindigoids, thiazinindigs, isoindolines, isoindolinones, pyranthrones, isoanthrone violets, Miyoshi methane, triarylmethanes, or mixtures thereof.

Further non-limiting examples of organic coloring materials for use in the vapor-deposited colorant 2 include, for example, C.I. pigment Red 123(C.I. No. 71145), C.I. pigment Red 149(C.I. No. 71137), C.I. pigment Red 178(C.I. No. 71155), C.I. pigment Red 179(C.I. No. 71130), C.I. pigment Red 190(C.I. 71140), C.I. pigment Red 224(C.I. No. 71127), C.I. pigment Violet 29(C.I. 71129), C.I. pigment Red 43(C.I. orange No. 71105), C.I. pigment Red 194(C.I. pigment Red 71100), C.I. pigment Violet 19(C.I. pigment Violet No. 73900), C.I. pigment Red 122 (C.I.I. 73168, C.I. pigment Red 73192, C.I. pigment Red 202(C.I. orange 7352), C.I. pigment Red 12548, C.I. pigment Red 68(C.I. orange 7348), C.I. pigment Red 7312526, C.I. pigment Red 68, C.I. orange 7348, C.I. pigment Red 68, C.I. orange 7312548, C.12568, C.I. pigment Red 68, C.I. orange 7325, C.12568, C.I. pigment Red 68, C.I. orange 7325, C.12568, C.I. pigment Red 68, C.12568, C.I. orange 7325, C.12568, C.12563, C.I. orange 7325, C.12568, C.I. pigment Red 68, C., c.i. pigment orange 64; c.i. pigment brown 23(c.i. No. 20060), c.i. pigment red 166(c.i. No. 20730), c.i. pigment red 170(c.i. No. 12475), c.i. pigment orange 38(c.i. No. 12367), c.i. pigment red 188(c.i. No. 12467), c.i. pigment red 187(c.i. No. 12486), c.i. pigment orange 34(c.i. No. 21115), c.i. pigment orange 13(c.i. No. 21110), c.i. pigment red 9(c.i. No. 12460), c.i. pigment red 2(c.i. No. 12310), c.i. pigment red 112(c.i. No. 12370), c.i. pigment red 7(c.i. pigment red 20), c.i. pigment red 210(c.i. pigment red 12412 (c.i. pigment red 12377), c.i. pigment green 7485 (c.i. pigment red 260), c.i. pigment red 7(c.i. pigment red 7460), c.i. pigment red 260 (c.i. pigment red 60), c.i. pigment red 60) and c.i. pigment red 60(c.i. pigment red 60)) (ii) a C.i. pigment blue 15: 1. 15: 2. 15: 3. 15: 4. 15: 6 and 15(C.I.No. 74160); c.i. pigment blue 56(c.i. No. 42800), c.i. pigment blue 61(c.i. No. 42765: 1), c.i. pigment violet 23(c.i. No. 51319), c.i. pigment violet 37(c.i. No. 51345), c.i. pigment red 177(c.i. No. 65300), c.i. pigment red 254(c.i. No. 56110), c.i. pigment red 255(c.i. No. 561050), c.i. pigment red 264, c.i. pigment red 270, c.i. pigment red 272(c.i. No. 561150), c.i. pigment red 71, c.i. pigment orange 73, c.i. pigment red 88(c.i. No. 73312), c.i. pigment yellow 175(c.i. pigment yellow 11784), c.i. pigment yellow 154(c.i. pigment yellow 154.81), c.i. pigment red 11790 (c.i. pigment yellow 11772), c.i. pigment yellow 11748 (c.i. pigment yellow 11780), c.i. pigment yellow 11748, c.i. pigment yellow 11770, c.i. pigment yellow 11772 (c.i. pigment yellow 11772, c.i. pigment yellow 11770: 2/3/4(c.i. No. 15865: 2/3/4), c.i. pigment red 53: 1(C.I.No. 15585: 1), C.I. pigment Red 208(C.I.No. 12514), C.I. pigment Red 185(C.I.No. 12516), C.I. pigment Red 247(C.I.No. 15915), pigment Black 31 (C.I.No. 15915)₄₀H₂₆N₂O₄) Pigment orange 16 (C)₃₂H₂₄C₁₂N₈O₂)。

Fig. 2 illustrates particles, such as special effect pigments, comprising core particles 1 and a vapor deposited colorant 2 at least partially encapsulating the core particles 1, wherein the vapor deposited colorant 2 may be a composite layer 2a comprising an organic coloring material, as described above with respect to fig. 1, and an inorganic material. The core particle 1 may be a reflector material as described above in relation to fig. 1. The inorganic material used in the composite layer 2a may be made of any material. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include magnesium fluoride, silicon monoxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, titanium dioxide, aluminum nitride, boron carbide, tungsten oxide, cerium fluoride, lanthanum fluoride, neodymium fluoride, samarium fluoride, barium fluoride, calcium fluoride, lithium fluoride, tungsten carbide, titanium nitride, silicon nitride, zinc sulfide, glass flakes, diamond-like carbon, and combinations thereof. The inorganic material may be made of a material having a refractive index in the range of about 1.3 to about 2.3. In one aspect, the inorganic material may be a material having a low refractive index of less than about 1.65. In another aspect, the inorganic material can be a material having a high refractive index greater than about 2.2.

Fig. 3 illustrates particles, such as special effect pigments, comprising a core particle 1, a first vapor deposited colorant 2a at least partially encapsulating the core particle 1, and a second vapor deposited colorant 2b at least partially encapsulating the first vapor deposited colorant 2 a. The core particle 1 may be a reflector material as described above in relation to fig. 1. The particles, e.g. pigments, may be obtained by at least partially encapsulating the core particles 1 in platelet form with successive vapour deposited colorants 2, e.g. a first vapour deposited colorant 2a, a second vapour deposited colorant 2b, a third vapour deposited colorant 2c (not shown in fig. 3) etc. Each vapor deposited colorant 2 may selectively absorb some wavelengths of light.

The individual vapor deposited colorants 2 may be the same or different. In one aspect, the first vapor deposited colorant 2a can be the same composition as the second vapor deposited colorant 2 b. For example, each vapor deposited colorant 2 can be the same organic coloring material, such as those described above. In another aspect, the first vapor deposited colorant 2a can have the same thickness as the second vapor deposited colorant 2 b.

Alternatively, each vapor deposited colorant 2 may be different. The first vapor deposited colorant 2a may be of a different composition than the second vapor deposited colorant 2 b. For example, the first vapor deposited colorant 2a may comprise an organic coloring material, while the second vapor deposited colorant 2b may be a composite comprising an organic coloring material and an inorganic material (such as those described above). In addition, the first vapor-deposited colorant 2a may be a composite including an organic coloring material and an inorganic material, and the second vapor-deposited colorant 2b may include an organic coloring material.

Also, the first vapor deposited colorant 2a may comprise an organic coloring material, such as pigment red 254, and the second vapor deposited colorant 2b may comprise an organic coloring material, such as violet 19. Similarly, the first vapor-deposited colorant 2a may be a composite comprising an organic coloring material and an inorganic material, such as a high refractive index material, and the second vapor-deposited colorant 2b may be a composite comprising an organic coloring material and an inorganic material, such as a low refractive index material. Every combination and permutation of the possible compositions for the vapor-deposited colorant 2 are also contemplated as every combination and permutation of the possible compositions for the respective vapor-deposited colorants (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, etc.).

In another aspect, the first vapor deposited colorant 2a can have a different thickness than the second vapor deposited colorant 2 b. The individual vapor deposited colorants 2 within the particles may vary, for example, in the same composition, in different thicknesses, or in different compositions and in the same thickness.

Fig. 4 illustrates particles, such as special effect pigments, comprising a core particle 1 and a vapor deposited colorant 2 at least partially encapsulating the core particle 1, wherein the vapor deposited colorant 2 is a composite layer 2c comprising two or more organic coloring materials. In another aspect, the composite layer 2c may include an inorganic material and two or more organic coloring materials. Each organic coloring material present in the composite layer 2c can selectively absorb light of a different wavelength. The core particle 1 may be a reflector material as described above in relation to fig. 1.

The vapor deposited colorant 2 may have a thickness of from about 40nm to about 1000nm, such as from about 40nm to about 600nm, such as from about 50nm to about 500 nm.

Fig. 5 illustrates particles, such as thin film interference pigments, comprising a core particle 1, a dielectric layer 3 at least partially encapsulating the core particle 1, an absorber layer 4 at least partially encapsulating the dielectric layer 3, and a vapor deposited colorant 2 at least partially encapsulating the absorber layer. The core particle 1 may be a reflector material as described above in relation to fig. 1.

The dielectric layer 3 may comprise a material such as a transparent material. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include magnesium fluoride, silicon monoxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, titanium dioxide, aluminum nitride, boron carbide, tungsten oxide, cerium fluoride, lanthanum fluoride, neodymium fluoride, samarium fluoride, barium fluoride, calcium fluoride, lithium fluoride, tungsten carbide, titanium nitride, silicon nitride, zinc sulfide, glass flakes, diamond-like carbon, and combinations thereof. The absorber layer 4 may be formed to substantially surround or encapsulate the dielectric layer 3. Suitable materials for the absorber layer 4 include all metals having a homogeneous absorption or selective absorption in the visible spectrum. Examples of such metals include chromium, nickel, iron, titanium, aluminum, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, combinations or alloys thereof, such as Inconel (Ni — Cr — Fe), metals mixed in a dielectric matrix, or other substances capable of acting as a uniform or selective absorber in the visible spectrum. The absorber layer 4 may be formed to include a thickness in a range of about 2nm to about 80nm, such as about 3nm to about 30 nm. It is understood, however, that further other thicknesses of the absorber layer 4 are conceivable in order to alter the optical properties of the pigment. It will be appreciated that the absorber layer 4 in a thin thickness need not be continuous but still function as an optical absorber. For example, multiple islands or dots (dots) of absorber material may be sufficient as an absorber.

Fig. 6 illustrates that particles, such as special effect pigments, can include a core platelet comprising a core particle 1, a first dielectric layer 3a and a second dielectric layer 3b on opposite sides of the core particle 1, a first absorber layer 4a on the first dielectric layer 3a, and a second absorber layer 4b on the second dielectric layer 3 b; and a vapour deposited colorant 2, such as a platelet, at least partially encapsulating the core particle 1. The core particle 1 may comprise exposed sides on the core particle 1, the first and second dielectric layers 3a, 3b and the first and second getter layers 4a, 4 b. The core particle 1 may be a reflector material as described above in relation to fig. 1.

Fig. 7 illustrates particles, such as thin film interference pigments, comprising core particles 1 comprising a dielectric layer 3 and a vapor deposited colorant 2 at least partially encapsulating the dielectric layer 3. In one aspect, the particle may further comprise an absorber layer 4 at least partially encapsulating the dielectric layer 3, wherein the vapor deposited colorant 2 at least partially or completely encapsulates the absorber layer 4. The dielectric layer 3 and the absorber layer 4 may be made of materials as described above.

Fig. 8 illustrates particles, such as thin film interference pigments, that include a dielectric layer 3, such as a fully dielectric multilayer, and a vapor deposited colorant 2 that at least partially encapsulates the dielectric layer 3. In this aspect, the dielectric layer 3 may be a layer including at least one high refractive index layer 5 and up toA dielectric stack comprising one less low refractive index layer 6. The dielectric stack can have a predetermined number of layers. In this example, the stack may comprise one or more layers of low refractive index material 6 and one or more layers of high refractive index material 5. The layer with a low refractive index material (low refractive index layer) 6 and the layer with a high refractive index material (high refractive index layer) 5 may alternate. In this particular example, the alternating low and high index layers have been repeated 3 times as shown in fig. 8. The alternating layers may be stacked in any order, for example the layers may be (H/L)_n、(H/L)_nH or L (H/L)_nWherein H denotes the higher refractive index layer 5 and L denotes the lower refractive index layer 6. The number (n) of alternating low and high refractive index layers can range from about 2 to over about 75, such as from about 10 to about 50 alternating layers or, for example, from about 5 to about 25 alternating layers.

In another aspect, particles, such as pigments, are disclosed that include a core particle 1, a dielectric layer 3 on opposing sides of the core particle 1, and a vapor deposited colorant 2 at least partially encapsulating the core particle 1 and the dielectric layer 3. The dielectric layers 3 on each opposite side of the core particle 1 may be a dielectric stack of high and low refractive index layers as described above.

Fig. 9 illustrates particles, such as thin film interference pigments, that include a dielectric layer 3, such as a fully dielectric multilayer, an absorber layer 4 at least partially encapsulating the dielectric layer 3, and a vapor deposited colorant 2 at least partially encapsulating the absorber layer 4. In this aspect, the dielectric layer 3 may be a dielectric stack including at least one high refractive index layer 5 and at least one low refractive index layer 6.

In another aspect, a pigment, such as a thin film interference pigment, is disclosed that includes a core particle 1 and a vapor deposited colorant 2, wherein the vapor deposited colorant 2 is a composite layer that includes an organic uncolored material and an organic colored material. Examples of organic uncolored materials are the parylene family:

parylene is known for its low water permeability and UV protection. The physical and chemical properties of parylene vary depending on the type (N, C or D). For example, in situations where improved gas and moisture barrier properties are desired, colorant 2 as a vapor deposition of a composite layer comprising parylene C as the organic uncolored material may be more suitable. It is contemplated that a composite layer comprising an organic uncolored material and an organic colored material may be used in place of the vapor deposited colorant 2 of fig. 5-9.

Fig. 10 illustrates a particle comprising a core particle 1, a vapor deposited colorant 2 at least partially encapsulating the core particle 1, and an absorber layer 4 at least partially encapsulating the vapor deposited colorant 2. The vapor deposited colorant may be a composite layer comprising an organic coloring material and an inorganic material as described above. The core particle 1 may be a reflector material as described above in relation to fig. 1.

Fig. 11 illustrates the particles, such as pigments, illustrated in fig. 10 and further comprising the protective layer 7. The protective layer 7 may include an organic layer or an inorganic layer. The protective layer 7 may protect the particles, may passivate the particles, and/or may functionalize the particles. Passivating the particles may inhibit partial oxidation, may reduce their reactivity to their surroundings, and/or may alter the surface area of the outer layer such that the particles are more or less hydrophobic or oleophobic. The core particle 1 may be a reflector material as described above in relation to fig. 1.

Fig. 12 illustrates a particle comprising a core particle 1 and a dielectric layer 3, e.g., a multilayer dielectric layer, on the opposite side of the core particle 1, wherein the dielectric layer 3 is a laminate of alternating layers of a composite 5a having a high refractive index material and an organic coloring material and a composite 6a having a low refractive index material and an organic coloring material. The core particle 1 may be a reflector material as described above in relation to fig. 1. By adding an organic coloring material to the composite, the dielectric layer can selectively absorb light of a certain wavelength. For example, the composite layer 6a may be silica (low refractive index material) co-deposited with an organic coloring material to obtain a low refractive index material. As another example, the compound layer 5a may be titanium dioxide (high refractive index material) co-deposited with an organic coloring material to obtain a high refractive index material.

The particles, e.g., pigments, disclosed herein can be obtained by using a fluidized bed reactor or device, e.g., a rotating drum, that contains, tumbles, the core particles. The particles, such as core particles 1, may be introduced into a fluidized bed reactor or another suitable reactor in which the particles are tumbled. The organic coloring material may be introduced into the reactor using a carrier gas such as argon. When the organic coloring material is in contact with the core particles 1, the organic vapor is at least partially, e.g., totally, condensed, whereby the core particles 1 are encapsulated by the vapor deposited colorant 2. Fig. 13 is a diagram of an apparatus arrangement for a method of manufacturing particles (such as illustrated in fig. 1).

In another aspect, a method of making particles comprising core particles 1 and vapor deposited colorant 2 can be accomplished using an apparatus arrangement as shown in fig. 14, wherein the vapor deposited colorant 2 is a composite comprising an organic colorant material and an inorganic material. Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of a combination atmospheric pressure organic vapor deposition (OVPD) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) using a fluidized bed configuration (configuration).

The fluidized bed vapor deposition conditions may be similar to those used to deposit the colorant 2 comprising vapor deposition of an organic coloring material as shown in fig. 13. In one example, particles such as pigments may use SiCl as a precursor material₄And hydrolysis of water is formed from silica at approximately room temperature (about 30 c to about 80 c) at atmospheric pressure. In another example, particles such as pigments may use TiCl as the precursor material₄And hydrolysis of water is formed from titanium dioxide at approximately room temperature (about 30 c to about 80 c) at atmospheric pressure. Silicon dioxide is a low refractive index material and titanium dioxide is a high refractive index material. Any material can be used in the method to produce a vapor deposited colorant, wherein the vapor deposited colorant is a composite layer.

Methods of making particles, such as pigments, can include: introducing a carrier gas into the organic coloring material container; heating an organic coloring material container to generate an organic coloring vapor; the carrier gas is introduced into a fluidized bed reactor or another suitable reactor in which the core particles 1 are tumbled. The core particle 1 may be in the shape of a particle, a platelet or a flake; and the organic coloring vapor is introduced into the fluidized bed reactor to at least partially, e.g., completely, encapsulate the core particles 1.

The method of manufacturing the particles does not involve a wet environment, i.e. a wet substrate, etc., and therefore does not use any processes required in wet chemical processes, such as filtration, drying, etc. The process can be carried out at about atmospheric pressure and therefore does not require a vacuum or equipment for a vacuum. The vapor deposited colorant 2 may be deposited at room temperature, allowing co-deposition of materials such as a composite of an organic coloring material and an inorganic material, and a composite of an organic coloring material and an organic uncolored material.

The reaction conditions shown in the following examples are based on a bench top (bench top) apparatus. Scaling up to full production processes would therefore require adjustment of reaction conditions such as flow rates of carrier gases; temperature of organic coloring material container, coil heater, (line heater), water bubbler and inorganic material bubbler. In addition, the encapsulation time will also vary based on, for example, the desired color or the number of core particles 1 to be encapsulated. However, the adjustment of the process conditions is well within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art.

Examples

Example 1-using the apparatus set-up illustrated in fig. 13, a pigment was formed with aluminum core particles 1 and pigment red 254 as a vapor deposited colorant 2.

The molecular structure of pigment Red 254 (pyrroles) is as follows:

the organic coloring material vapor source was heated at 260 ℃. Argon gas was introduced into the vapor source vessel as a carrier gas at a flow rate of 2100 sccm. In order to avoid condensation into the lines conveying the organic colouring material vapour into the fluidized bed reactor, the (lines) are heated at 100 ℃. Argon gas was also used as a fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 1200 sccm. The encapsulation temperature is slightly above atmospheric temperature, e.g., about 30 ℃ to about 40 ℃. After 30 minutes, the encapsulated particles had turned a light pink color. After a further 30 minutes of fluidized bed vapor deposition, the vapor deposited colorant 2 on the core particles 1 becomes more intense and ends up with a pigment having a strong red coloration.

Example 2-using the apparatus set-up illustrated in fig. 13, a pigment was formed with aluminum core particles 1 and pigment violet 19 as a vapor deposited colorant 2.

The molecular structure of pigment violet 19 (quinacridone) is as follows:

the organic coloring material vapor source was heated at 280 ℃. Argon gas was introduced into the vapor source vessel as a carrier gas at a flow rate of 2100 sccm. In order to avoid condensation into the lines conveying the organic colouring material vapour into the fluidized bed reactor, the (lines) are heated at 100 ℃. Argon was also used as the fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 1200 sccm. The encapsulation temperature is slightly above atmospheric temperature, e.g., about 30 ℃ to about 40 ℃. After 60 minutes, the vapor-deposited colorant 2 on the core particles 1 becomes thicker and ends up with a pigment having a deep violet coloration.

Example 3-using the apparatus set-up illustrated in fig. 13, a pigment was formed with aluminum core particles 1 and pigment blue 15 as the vapor deposited colorant 2.

The molecular structure of pigment blue 15 (phthalocyanines) is as follows:

the organic coloring material vapor source is heated at 250 ℃. Argon gas was introduced into the vapor source vessel as a carrier gas at a flow rate of 2100 sccm. In order to avoid condensation into the lines conveying the organic colouring material vapour into the fluidized bed reactor, the (lines) are heated at 100 ℃. Argon was also used as the fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 1200 sccm. The encapsulation temperature is slightly above atmospheric temperature, e.g., about 30 ℃ to about 40 ℃. After 60 minutes, the vapor-deposited colorant 2 on the core particles 1 becomes thicker and ends up with a pigment having a deep blue coloration.

Example 4-using the apparatus set forth in fig. 13, a pigment was formed with aluminum core particles 1 and pigment yellow 17 as a vapor deposited colorant 2.

The molecular structure of pigment yellow 17 (disazo) is as follows:

the organic coloring material vapor source is heated at 250 ℃. Argon gas was introduced into the vapor source vessel as a carrier gas at a flow rate of 2100 sccm. In order to avoid condensation into the lines conveying the organic colouring material vapour into the fluidized bed reactor, the (lines) are heated at 100 ℃. Argon was also used as the fluidizing gas at a flow rate of 1200 sccm. The encapsulation temperature is slightly above atmospheric temperature, e.g., about 30 ℃ to about 40 ℃. After 60 minutes, the vapour-deposited colorant 2 on the core particles 1 becomes thicker and ends up with a pigment having a creamy coloration. Some of the organic coloring material decomposes during its evaporation and encapsulation.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection with specific embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so limited. Many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the teachings herein.

The scope disclosure should be construed broadly. It is intended that the present disclosure discloses equivalents, means, systems and methods for achieving the devices, activities and mechanical actions disclosed herein. With respect to the various devices, articles, methods, means, mechanical elements or mechanisms disclosed, it is intended that the disclosure also cover and teach in its disclosure equivalents, means, systems and methods for practicing the many aspects, mechanisms and mechanisms disclosed herein. In addition, the present disclosure relates to coatings and many aspects, features and elements thereof. Such devices may be dynamic in their use and operation, and the present disclosure is intended to cover equivalents, means, systems and methods of using the devices and/or articles of manufacture, and many aspects thereof that are consistent with the description and spirit of the operation and function disclosed herein. As such, the claims of the present application should be construed broadly.

The description of the invention herein in its many embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.