Special effect pigments provide unusual optical effects that are used for a variety of applications including jewelry, cosmetics, and coatings. Birefringent, pearlescent and angle-dependent color are all possible through the selection and orientation of nanoparticles. Structural color is another class of pigments where the color is obtained through the periodic ordering of nanoscale features, similar to the opalescence of a butterfly wing.
Nanoparticles for Special Effect Pigments
Plasmonic nanoparticles have unique optical properties that are a function of the size and shape of the nanoparticle. A solution of gold nanoparticles is ruby red in color while silver is a vibrant yellow. By using other shape geometries such as rods, plates and shells, the optical response can be tuned throughout the visible and infrared regions of the spectrum. An unusual property of plasmonic nanoparticles is that the relative contributions of scattering and absorption is a function of the nanoparticle size, allowing for an additional level of control over the perceived color and appearance. In addition to plasmonic effects, artificial opals – colloidal crystals of uniformly sized nanoparticles – have unique color effects due to photonic effects.
How We Can Help
NanoComposix has the world’s largest library of plasmonic nanoparticles, with each particle having its own unique optical color. We have integrated these plasmonic nanoparticles into thin films, plastics, coatings, and paints. Unlike many organic dye colorants, the nanoparticles are non-fading, even under harsh UV-exposure conditions. In addition, we have extremely monodisperse silica, gold, and magnetic nanoparticles that will self-assemble into colloidal crystals to provide angle-dependent optical effects.
Select a product tile below to learn more & buy
Surface |
Charge |
Characteristics |
Available Materials |
Buy |
NCX University |
Bare (Citrate) |
|
Easiest standard surface to displace with other molecules. |
Gold, silver, platinum |
See products |
Learn more |
Aminated (BPEI) |
|
Covalently bound. Conjugatable surface. |
Gold, silver |
See products |
Learn more |
Carbonate |
|
For biocojugation. Smaller, less complex molecule with a lower affinity to gold nanoparticle surface than citrate. |
Gold |
See products |
Learn more |
Carboxyl/Lipoic Acid |
|
Covalently bound. Conjugatable surface. |
Gold, silver |
See products |
Learn more |
Dodecanethiol |
|
Redispersible and stable in non-polar organic solvents. |
Gold, silver |
See products |
Learn more |
NHS |
|
For quick and easy bioconjugation – no EDC/NHS activation required. |
Gold |
See products |
|
PEG |
|
Highest stability in aqueous buffers and polar organic solvents. |
Gold, silver |
See products |
Learn more |
Polystyrene |
|
Hydrophobic surface that allows for dispersion in a wide range of polar organic solvents. |
Gold |
See products |
Learn more |
PVP |
|
Large polymer surface. Stable in a wide variety of solvents. |
Gold, silver, magnetite |
See products |
Learn more |
Silica Shell |
|
Greatest solvent compatibility. Preserves plasmonic properties upon deposition. |
Gold, silver, silica |
See products |
Learn more |
Silica Shell (Aminated) |
|
Conjugatable surface. Greatest solvent compatibility. Preserves plasmonic properties upon deposition. |
Gold, silver, silica |
See products |
Learn more |
Streptavidin |
|
For convenient bioconjugation of any biotinylated antibody, protein, or oligonucleotide. |
Gold |
See products |
|
Tannic Acid |
|
Less easily displaced than citrate but stable in more buffers. |
Gold |
See products |
Learn more |
Do none of these work for you? Request a Custom Surface |