From Ancient Pigments to Nano-TiO2: A 5,000-Year Journey

From Past Pigments to Recent Developments in Modern Nanotechnology

Endowed by nature with a keen appreciation for the beauty of color, man has sought to imitate and reproduce it. Colors have been a big factor in our lives, from the sea of blues of the sky to the lush greens of nature. But have you ever really thought about why they’re those colors? How colours are made: it is a delightful journey that has taken us more than 5,000 years and brought us from the world of pigments to the quanta of cutting edge nanotechnology.

Ancient Civilizations to Modern Nanostructures

Ancient civilisations including Egypt where early man discovered natural pigments; such as ochre and malachite, are our starting point. These pigments were made of minerals and plants and used to paint caves, pottery and the body itself. With the development of civilizations we progressed in the study of color chemistry. The Greeks and Romans devised methods for making new pigments, including vermilion and madder, that added variety to the artist’s or artisan’s palette.

Jump to the Renaissance in Europe and new pigments such as ultramarine and lead white emerge which changed the art scene. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo employed these TiO2 pigments in the creation of their works, many of which still enthrall audiences today. The industrial revolution opened a floodgate of further color chemistry, leading to the development of synthetic pigments like Prussian b

lue and chrome yellow.

A 5,000-Year Long Journey Through Time and Technology

At the turn of the 20th century, breakthroughs in technology created fresh opportunities to produce colour. Scientists ventured into the world of nanoparticles, minute particles that have special properties because they are so tiny. Is titanium dioxide (TiO2), being a nanoparticle and the nanoparticle that has changed color chemsitry if not all science.

Titanium dioxide is a white pigment used in a wide range of products, including paint and plastic and even some food items and sunscreen. Its properties to scatter light and form bright, ground colours have lent it for use in countless applications. But how did we get from these ancient pigments to the nanoparticles of today, like TiO2.

Colour Chemistry: The Amazing Reactions Behind the Shades

The leap from prehistoric paint to nano- TiO2 powder is a story of human innovation and scientific advancement, as pasty white goo became a smart coating. Through examining the qualities of natural pigments, and by trying out new materials, scientists were also to construct innovative technologies that have altered the way humans perceive and use color.

The discovery of the photoelectric effect was one of those key advances which began to shape our understanding for how particles (as well as light) behave at microscopic scales. That finding opened the door to materials such as TiO2 for coatings an manipulate light in novel ways to produce eye-popping colors.

the Story How Old Paint Can Stop New Infections

HOLOGRAPHIC COLOURS IN THE VISTA OF TIME Reflecting on the 5,000-year-old path from early pigments to today's nanocraft is easy to see how every single step presented above had its pivotal role in what can be defined as the "chemistry of colour". Ancient civilisations paved the way for the breakthroughs we enjoy today.

We at Hengxiang Chemical Co. are delighted to play a role in this ever-changing history of color chemistry. Our team of professionals scientists, researchers and designers are constantly challenging the realms of possibilities to determine how color functions and forever developing new and exciting ways to integrate it into your life. Come along with us for the ride as we dive in to the colorful world of pigments and nanoparticles, where anything might be possible.