# US 11,898,041 B2 · Pigment including a metal core, organic layer, and an inorganic layer

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- Number: US 11,898,041 B2
- Document ID: US11898041B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/708,795
- Filed: 2022-03-30
- Published: 2023-10-05
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2022-03-30
- Assignees: Viavi Solutions Inc.
- Applicants: Viavi Solutions Inc.
- Inventors: Alberto Argoitia
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11898041B2

## CPC

- C09C 1/0057: {comprising at least one light-absorbing layer}
- C09C 1/0066: {consisting of at least one coloured inorganic material}
- C09C 1/003: {comprising at least one light-absorbing layer}
- C09C 3/063: {Coating}
- C09C 3/12: Treatment with organosilicon compounds {(C09C3/006 takes precedence)}
- C09C 2200/1004: the core comprising at least one inorganic oxide, e.g. Al2O3, TiO2 or SiO2
- C09C 2200/1054: the core consisting of a metal
- C09C 2200/401: Inorganic protective coating
- C09C 2200/402: Organic protective coating
- C09C 2200/407: Organosilicon materials, e.g. silanes, silicones
- C09C 2200/505: Inorganic particles, e.g. oxides, nitrides or carbides
- C09C: TREATMENT OF INORGANIC MATERIALS, OTHER THAN FIBROUS FILLERS, TO ENHANCE THEIR PIGMENTING OR FILLING PROPERTIES (treatment of materials specially adapted to enhance their filling properties in mortars, concrete or artificial stone C04B14/00, C04B18/00, C04B20/00); PREPARATION OF CARBON BLACK {; PREPARATION OF INORGANIC MATERIALS WHICH ARE NO SINGLE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS AND WHICH ARE MAINLY USED AS PIGMENTS OR FILLERS}

## Abstract

A pigment, including a flake including a metal core having a first surface and a second surface, a first dielectric layer interfacing with a first surface of the metal core, and a second dielectric layer interfacing with a second surface of the metal core; a first inorganic layer encapsulating the flake; and an organic layer encapsulating the first organic layer is disclosed. A colorant composition including the pigment is also disclosed. A method of making the pigment, and a method of making a colorant composition are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pigment, comprising:
a flake including a metal core having a first surface and a second surface, a first dielectric layer interfacing with a first surface of the metal core, and a second dielectric layer interfacing with a second surface of the metal core;
a first inorganic layer encapsulating the flake;
an organic layer encapsulating the first inorganic layer; and
a second inorganic layer encapsulating the flake.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the first inorganic layer interfaces with the flake.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the organic layer is a multilayer including a first organic layer interfacing with a second organic layer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the organic layer interfaces with the first inorganic layer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the organic layer is a multilayer including alternating layers of a first organic layer interfacing with a second organic layer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the organic layer includes one or more polyelectrolytes.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The pigment of claim 6, wherein the polyelectrolyte is chosen from polyallylamine hydrochloride, polysodium 4-styrenesulfonate, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the organic layer includes a colorant.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the organic layer is multiple alternating layers of charged material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the second inorganic layer interfaces with the organic layer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the second inorganic layer includes an inorganic material chosen from oxides, nitrides, carbides, sulfides, compounds thereof, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The pigment of claim 1, wherein the second inorganic layer includes a functional material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The pigment of claim 12, wherein the functional material is an organosilane.

### Claim 14

A pigment, comprising:
a flake including a metal core having a first surface and a second surface, a first dielectric layer interfacing with a first surface of the metal core, and a second dielectric layer interfacing with a second surface of the metal core;
a first inorganic layer encapsulating the flake; and
an organic layer encapsulating the first inorganic layer;
wherein the first inorganic layer is a layer of silica.

### Claim 15

A method of making a pigment, comprising:
providing a flake including a metal core having a first surface and a second surface, a first dielectric layer interfacing with a first surface of the metal core, and a second dielectric layer interfacing with a second surface of the metal core;
applying a first inorganic layer by a sol-gel process to encapsulate the flake;
applying an organic layer to encapsulate the flake and the first inorganic layer; and
after applying the organic layer, applying a second inorganic layer to encapsulate the flake, the first inorganic layer, and the organic layer.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the first and/or second inorganic layer has a negative or positive charge and is attracted to a positive or negative charge of the organic layer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the second inorganic layer includes a functional material.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the pigment includes multiple interfaces to reduce propagation of cracks and increase the diffusion path of corrosive molecules.