A vivid new blue pigment that was discovered by accident is soon about to be available for purchase, as a licensing agreement has been reached that is sending it to the marketplace via The Shepherd Color Company.
In 2009, Oregon State University chemists were attempting to create new materials from manganese oxide that could be used in electronics, according to an OSU release. After mixing the black manganese oxide with a variety of other chemicals and heating the combinations to about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1093 Celsius), one of the samples came out a bit different than expected—as in brilliant, impossibly blue.
Discovery described as a “happy accident”
“It was serendipity, actually; a happy, accidental discovery,” said OSU chemist Mas Subramanian, who is the Milton Harris Professor of Materials Science in the OSU College of Science.
The color is the result of the pigment’s unique crystal structure—it has trigonal bipyramidal geometry, which involves repeating patterns of pyramids with four faces. Because of this shape, the manganese ions are able to absorb red and green wavelengths of light while reflecting blue—resulting in the pure blue color we see.
Besides its natural beauty, though, there are a few other reasons why many were anxious to be able to use it. Namely, its blue color is both durable and stable in both oil and water, and the color does not fade out. Best yet, this pigment—which has been named “YInMn” blue—is nontoxic.
“The basic crystal structure we’re using for these pigments was known before, but no one had ever considered using it for any commercial purpose, including pigments,” said Subramanian. “Ever since the early Egyptians developed some of the first blue pigments, the pigment industry has been struggling to address problems with safety, toxicity and durability.”
The pigment is set to be sold in a variety of coatings and plastics, and may actually find an unusual place in future roofs. If one were to use this color in roofing materials, it could help keep buildings cool by reflecting infrared light. In fact, it has an infrared reflectivity of about 40 percent, which is significantly higher than other blue pigments.
“The more we discover about the pigment, the more interesting it gets,” said Subramanian. “We already knew it had advantages of being more durable, safe and fairly easy to produce. Now it also appears to be a new candidate for energy efficiency.”
Commercial quantities of the pigment will be available later this year.
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Image credit: Oregon State University
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