Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Hazardous Metal-Free Color Pigments
EPA Contract Number: 68D98163Title: Hazardous Metal-Free Color Pigments
Investigators: Routkevitch, Dimitri
Small Business: Nanomaterials Research Corporation
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1998 through September 1, 2000
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1998) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The overall objective of this program was to develop a technology for manufacturing hazardous metal free interference-colored pigments. While our Phase I efforts have led to the success in demonstrating the feasibility of precision engineered colored nanolaminates and nanopowders, Phase II targeted the expansion, optimization, and scale-up of the approach into a technology for commercially viable paints and coatings. NRC?s approach was based on precision engineering of environmentally harmless nanolaminates from self-organized thin films of anodic alumina. Control over morphology and optical properties at the nanoscale allowed us to create nanolaminated coatings and pigments, where color performance is based on non- additive combination of interference and absorption in nanolayers.Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Main focus of this project was the development and characterization of the innovative interference-colored nanolaminated ceramic coatings and pigments. Most of the work planned in the original proposal was carried out with the following results:* New techniques based on advanced modulation of processing conditions were developed for producing multilayer nanolaminated films. For the first time, ceramic films with color due to the interference in nanoscale layers of different morphology were demonstrated. Effects of nanoscale morphology on color parameters were evaluated.
* Electrochemical techniques for modification of optical properties of nanolaminated anodic alumina films were further explored. Samples with color due to the combination of interference and Mi-effect were produced. This enables non-optical novel methods for information encryption.
* Combinatorial approach to nanolaminated pigment development was implemented and demonstrated to yield significant time-savings in development of the nanolaminates with desired color, as well as for unusual color gradients.
Significant efforts were dedicated to what was judged to be a critical process for the implementation of the proposed concept: reliable and reproducible tuning the adhesion of the nanolaminates to the Al substrate, from strongly adhered films to full delamination:
* Reverse polarization of the anodized alumina was found to be the most promising, controllable, and manufacturing-friendly technique. Different regimes of this process were thoroughly evaluated. Effects of process parameters were studied.
* The mechanism of the adhesion tuning during the cathodic polarization was found to be likely electric-field assisted dissolution of the barrier layer.
* Uniformity of the current distribution was found to be vital for the uniformity and quality of the adhesion-tuning.
First-level technology development for interference-colored nanolaminated anodic alumina coatings was completed. Prototype samples of both completely separated nanolaminates for pigment applications, as well as adhesion-tuned nanolaminates for image-transfer were produced. Technology evaluation and preliminary analysis of the potential applications were performed. Work on identifying potential product development partners and future customers was initiated.
The most likely applications of developed technology are in the areas of high performance small volume pigments and coatings, such as specialty decorative, protective and functional coatings, counterfeit-proof inks for secure documents and information encryption by using both optical and non-optical mechanisms.
Conclusions:
A preliminary analysis of the competitiveness of the NRC technology for interference-based coatings and pigments from nanolaminated anodic alumina leads to the conclusion, that it has strong performance advantages, while the cost and complexity of the technology is higher then that of the state-of-the-art commercial products. The main advantage of developed materials seems to be in the know-how of the manufacturing process, which makes our pigments very difficult to duplicate, therefore providing an unmatched degree of protection against counterfeiting. Therefore, the main market for Nanomaterials' technology is high-end low volume specialty inks and coatings for documents security market that require significantly higher level of protection and performance then currently available.Commercialization Status:
At this time we are further evaluating
this technology to determine specific niches where it could complement the
commercial products, and to identify opportunities for product development
partnerships. A White Paper was prepared, and prototypes were produced for
display and presentation to potential customers and partners. NRC strategy at
this time is to work on establishing joint product development partnerships with
the key players in the market of interference-based specialty coatings and inks, and eventually license the technology.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
RFA, Toxics, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Waste, Sustainable Industry/Business, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Sustainable Environment, Contaminant Candidate List, HAPS, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Hazardous Waste, pollution prevention, 33/50, Hazardous, metal free, alternatives to pigment, cleaner production, mercury, chromium & chromium compounds, cobalt, Lead Compounds, color pigments, clean technology, pollution prevention assessment, lead & lead compounds, hazardous metals, Cobalt Compounds, engineering, pollution prevention design, metal-free pigments, mercury & mercury compounds, metal-free, Chromium Compounds, Mercury CompoundsSBIR Phase I:
Hazardous Metal-Free Color PigmentsThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.