WHAT IS FLUORESCENT PIGMENT AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
What are Fluorescent Pigments?
Pigments that radiate brighter colors than conventional colors when exposed to light befit the description of fluorescent pigments or neon pigments. Well, fluorescent colors and fluorescent pigments absorb and disperse more light than conventional hues, which is the reason for their fluorescence. Also, neon pigments largely use both the visible spectrum and lower wavelength. UV fluorescent pigments, in particular, are known for their ability to transform ultraviolet rays into vibrant, visible colors. Besides transforming the wavelength of ultraviolet rays, fluorescent pigments absorb and transform the energy of the dominant wavelength. Fluorescent dispersion plays a crucial role in ensuring the uniform application of these pigments, resulting in consistent and vivid color output across various surfaces.
Basic Understanding Of Fluorescent Pigments
Light exposure provokes fluorescent pigments to emanate a greater flashing effect as compared to traditional pigments. Now, Daylight fluorescent pigments are also rightly called as UV fluorescent pigments because under UV light these pigments glow. An abundance of UV radiation in a black light causes the pigments to appear bright. When you want the pigments to appear bright without the application of blacklight, it is advisable to use pigments stimulated by daylight.
What are Daylight Fluorescent Pigments?
What Do You Mean By Daylight Fluorescent Pigments?
Fluorescent-tinted objects are seen as much as three times earlier when compared to objects painted with traditional colors. Also, fluorescent pigment powder has applications where attracting consumer’s attention is beneficial. As such, objects are painted with neon pigments to make them more noticeable. These include safety gear, stationary, warning signs, and sportswear. Fluorescent pigments are also widely used in the advertising and packaging industry for their eye-catching features. Plus, fluorescent pigments are added to oil, water, ink, and paint to manufacture plastics and other products.
How Does Fluorescent Pigment Work?
The light waves coming in contact with the molecule of fluorescent pigments lead to the photon getting absorbed, infusing energy into the system. As a result, the electron moves from the ground state (S0) to an excited state (Sn). Thereafter, the molecule passes through many phases, although the relevant ones include vibrational relaxation, internal conversion, and fluorescence. Fluorescent dispersion ensures that the pigment particles are evenly distributed in the medium, optimizing light absorption and enhancing the overall fluorescence effect.
Vibrational relaxation
Energy states have smaller energy levels known as vibrational levels. The electron goes down through these energy levels and reaches the lowest vibrational energy level within the excited state. Vibrational relaxation is the dropping of the electron while emitting a small amount of heat energy.
Internal conversion
Upon the electron being at the lowest vibrational energy of the state, it has to drop down to the next energy state. If the electron is in any excited state except the first one, it will move from a lower vibrational energy level of the higher excited state to a high vibrational energy level of the excited state beneath it, having the same energy value at both levels. This isoenergetic process does not result in any loss of gain of energy.
Fluorescence
The vibrational relaxation and internal conversion phases lead the electron to the lowest vibrational level of the initial excited state. Fluorescence occurs when the electron touches down to the ground state; any remaining energy is discharged as a photon of light. It is important to note that the amount of energy carried by the electron reduces during the vibrational relaxation phase. Hence, the released photons record high wavelength and less frequency.
Features of Daylight Fluorescent Pigments(DFP) needed for application
DFPs are effective as fluorescent pigments only when they have certain characteristics, as seen herein:
- The DFPs should be luminous if they have to be effective
- The DFPs must remain stable when exposed to heat and light
- The DFPs have to be solvent-resistant and water-resistant. This means they must not dissolve or form a gel after coming in contact with substances. Rather, they should remain suspended in the substance for greater effectiveness.
- The efficient function of the DFPs also depends on their opacity and transparency
How are Fluorescent Colours Made?
Some energy levels of a molecule are consistent; hence, most of the emitted fluorescent-colored light has the same wavelength. Also, with different colors responding to different wavelengths, a set molecule has a set color. As a result of the vibrational relaxation and internal conversion processes, this color does not depend on the wavelength of the absorbed light.
Where the electromagnetic spectrum is concerned, the UV light is at a lower wavelength as compared to the visible light. Thus, DFPs absorb the UV light with daylight exposure. Subsequently, the emitted light is in the higher wavelength of the visible range, making it possible for the human eye to view it.
Types of Daylight Fluorescent Pigments
Conventional DFPs
One of the most common types of DFPs are Melamine formaldehyde encapsulated pigments. In addition to offering high fluorescence, they are solvent-resistant and remain stable when exposed to heat and light.
ARON Universal’s range of conventional DFPs is available in a host of colors, having applications in novelties and safety signage.
New hybrid polymer DFPs
Studies have shown Formaldehyde displaying carcinogenic effects, because of which formaldehyde-free technologies are gaining popularity. Previously, formaldehyde-free DFPs were not widely used because of their inherent weakness. As such, the encapsulated pigments would dissolve to create a gel when mixed with solvents.
Over time, the resins underwent several modifications, after which the hybrid polymer, including the Aurora AQA range, was developed. The new formaldehyde-free DFPs fared better in solvent resistance than the formaldehyde-containing DFPs, without compromising on stability, pigment luminosity, and solvent resistance.
Summary
ARON Universal’s broad range of Daylight Fluorescent Pigments effectively catches people’s attention. We offer formaldehyde-free DFPs that serve as good replacements for conventional ones. Furthermore, our DFPs provide good stability in both aqueous solutions and solvent-based products.
Contact our sales representatives to discuss your fluorescent pigment requirements. We offer good recommendations for various formulations, depending on your needs. Additionally, our ISO 9001-2000, 45000 certification shows our commitment to delivering premium quality products.
In addition to that, our tech wizards are available round-the-clock to address any queries regarding our products. Browse our website for a host of educational resources and make informed decisions when purchasing fluorescent pigments, too.