One thing that will never go out of style is the class and elegance of a pearl. To attempt to recreate the rare beauty of the pearl, a low-cost alternative is needed to keep up with the demand of consumers
Thanks to their special iridescence and unmatched beauty, pearls have been highly sought after throughout history. Due to their rarity and demand, the development of pearlescent pigments to mimic the natural beauty of a true pearl became inevitable. Here, researchers utilize plate-like particles to create substrate-free pearlescent pigments, a low-cost and straightforward solution to the issue of substrate-based pigments which can be complex and expensive.
Traditional mica-based pearlescent pigments are expensive and require specialized equipment to be synthesized, as well as the involvement of complicated chemical reactions which can be difficult to control.
Pearlescent pigments are used in a variety of applications, including cosmetics, automotive paints, decor and more. Their popularity and demand call for a simpler, more straightforward process to take over the traditional method of using a substrate-based method using mica to achieve the appearance of a pearlescent or satin finish.
"Since ancient times, natural pearls have been treasured for their rich color and gorgeous luster. Their unique optical characteristics arise from a layered structure of alternating calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and protein layers," said Shu Yin, author and researcher of the study.
Optical micrograph of (a, c) VOP and (b, d) HVP. The samples exhibit layered plate-like particles, which enables fascinating iridescent colors to be visible in different particles and even in different regions of the same particles due to multiple light reflections. Credit: Shu Yin et al.
A series of photographs taken at one-second intervals for the solutions of (a, b) VOP and (c, d) HVP. A pearlescent luster fluctuating along the flow of the solution can be observed. Credit: Shu Yin et al.
Photographs of (a) as-prepared PMMA samples; (b) pure PMMA; PMMA composites with (c) 1 wt% HVP (37 μm) and (d) HVP (147 μm). These results illustrate the good compatibility of green HVP pearlescent pigments with the PMMA polymer, achieving vibrant and effective coloration in PMMA even at a low concentration of 1 wt%. Credit: Shu Yin et al.