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 pen cil hardness. It was found that transparent layers can be made. Pigment loa ded layers have a better lightfastness than layers into which dyes are inco rporated. As only moderate curing temperatures (160 degreesC) were applied, the organic fraction originating from the organic stabilizer present in th e pigment dispersion remains to a large extent in the layer. Therefore the pencil hardness decreases with the amount of stabilizer used to disperse th e pigment particles. The type of pigment has no influence on the pencil har dness.