Incorporation of pigments in TEOS derived matrices

Small organic pigments were incorporated in TEOS derived sol-gel layers on glass. The layers were characterised on transparency, lightfastness and pencil hardness. It was found that transparent layers can be made. Pigment loaded layers have a better lightfastness than layers into which dyes are incorporated. As only moderate curing temperatures (160 degreesC) were applied, the organic fraction originating from the organic stabilizer present in the pigment dispersion remains to a large extent in the layer. Therefore the pencil hardness decreases with the amount of stabilizer used to disperse the pigment particles. The type of pigment has no influence on the pencil hardness.