Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/3059
Date of Award
6-2025
Degree Name
MS in Polymers and Coatings
Department/Program
Chemistry & Biochemistry
College
College of Science and Mathematics
Advisor
Leslie Hamachi
Advisor Department
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Advisor College
College of Science and Mathematics
Abstract
Structural colors offer unique alternatives to conventional pigments, utilizing their microstructures to produce vibrant colors. These pigments offer an alternative source for colorants without the need for less environmentally friendly conventional pigments. In keeping with the sustainability approach, the use of waterborne coatings was chosen over solvent-based coatings. Here we report the synthesis of brushite platelet, silica supraball, and inverse opal pigments. Brushite platelets were produced through a condensation reaction, while silica supraballs were synthesized via the Stöber process and assembly was attempted using an oil-in-water emulsion. Inverse opal was produced through the templating of silica on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) incorporated into a waterborne latex coating. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed in order to monitor the degradation of the PMMA template, providing insight into the pyrolysis/calcination process. Utilizing scanning electron microscopy, honeycomb-like microstructures were observed. Dynamic light scattering was used to characterize the size of constituent particles, while zeta potential was measured on the inverse opal to show its potential stability within a waterborne system. Finally, the inverse opal was successfully incorporated within a waterborne latex film, potentially providing a tunable, more environmentally friendly pigment for latex coatings.