Fluorescence is a phenomenon where a substance absorbs light at a specific wavelength and then re-emits the light at a longer wavelength. This re-emitted light is known as fluorescence. Fluorescent pigments are substances that can fluoresce and are widely used in various applications, such as in art, science, and industry.
Fluorescence occurs when a molecule, called a fluorophore, absorbs a photon of light at a specific wavelength and then re-emits the light at a longer wavelength. This process is known as fluorescence and is caused by the movement of electrons within the fluorophore.
Fluorescent pigments are made up of a variety of different compounds, such as fluorescent dyes, fluorescent inks, and fluorescent plastics. These pigments are used in many applications, including art, science, and industry.
There are several types of fluorescent pigments, each with its unique properties. One type of fluorescent pigment is called a “dayglow” pigment, which is highly fluorescent and visible even in daylight. Another type of fluorescent pigment is called a “blacklight” pigment, which is only visible under ultraviolet light.
The lifespan of fluorescent pigments can vary depending on the type of pigment and the conditions in which it is used. Generally, fluorescent pigments have a longer lifespan when used in a dry and protected environment, as opposed to a damp or exposed environment.
Fluorescent pigments have been used in art for many years and continue to be popular today. Artists use fluorescent pigments to create vibrant and eye-catching artwork, which are often used in graffiti art, murals, and other forms of street art.
Fluorescence is also commonly found in paint materials such as oil and acrylic paints. However, it’s not as common as in other pigments. Oil and acrylic paints are typically not fluorescent, but some artists have incorporated fluorescent pigments into their paint mixtures to create unique and vibrant effects.
In conclusion, fluorescent pigments are substances that can fluoresce and are widely used in various applications, such as in art, science, and industry. There are several types of fluorescent pigments, each with its unique properties, and the lifespan of these pigments can vary depending on the type of pigment and the conditions in which it is used.
Fluorescence is the ability of certain chemicals to give off visible light after absorbing radiation that is not normally visible, such as ultraviolet light. This property has led to a variety of uses. Let’s shed some further light on this topic; consider the omnipresent “fluorescent” lights.
Fluorescence of Paint Materials
Fluorescence generally occurs when a fluorescent molecule (fluorophore) absorbs electromagnetic radiation that promotes it to an excited electronic state. Subsequent radiative relaxation of the excited states results in light emission. Some excitation energy is lost through heat or vibration, and part is emitted at longer wavelengths, compared to the excitation radiation. Unlike phosphorescence, light is emitted only while the radiation stimulus is present. For a given fluorophore, the fluorescence intensity is directly proportional to the intensity of the radiation received. Fluorophores can be identified and quantified based on their excitation and emission properties. Different materials may exhibit different colors and intensities of fluorescence, but they look identical when observed in daylight.
| Fluorescence of Paint Materials | |
| Raw tung oil | muddy yellowish |
| Heat-bodied tung oil | brilliant bluish |
| Raw perilla oil | muddy yellowish |
| Heat-bodied perilla oil | bluish, not so brilliant as tung |
| Raw linseed oil | muddy yellowish |
| Heat-bodied linseed oil | brilliant yellowish |
| Soybean oil | faint yellow |
| Raw castor oil | no fluorescence |
| Heat-bodied castor oil | brilliant |
| Wood rosin (lump) | greenish yellow with a dirty bluish-gray face |
| Wood rosin (powdered) | yellowish green white |
| Ester gum (lump) | bluish-gray with a reddish cast |
| Ester gum (powdered) | bluish-white purple tinge |
| Ester gum phenolic (lump) | bluish-gray with a reddish cast |
| Ester gum phenolic (powdered) | bluish-white purple tinge |
| Phenolic (lump) | dark purple to dark amber |
| Phenolic (powdered) | reddish brown, olive green, pinkish gray, brilliant reddish blue |
| Maleic rosin ester (lump) | intense bluish pink |
| Maleic rosin ester (powdered) | bluish white—more intense than ester gum |
| Titanium pigments | no fluorescence |
| Barium sulfate | no fluorescence |
| Calcium sulfate | no fluorescence |
| Calcium carbonate | no fluorescence |
| Zinc oxide (American process) | brilliant canary yellow |
| Zinc oxide (French process) | dull grayish green |
| Lithopone | dark greenish yellow |
| Zinc sulfide | dark reddish yellow |
| White lead (basic carbonate) | russet brown |
| Chrome green | no fluorescence |
| Tungstate green | no fluorescence |
| Green toners | no fluorescence |
| Iron oxides | no fluorescence |
| Lithol red (sodium) | bright orange |
| Lithol red (calcium) | bluish red |
| Lithol red (barium) | bluish-red (less than calcium) |
| Para red (light) | bluish red |
| Para red (dark) | brighter and with more orange than light para |
| Toluidine red | no fluorescence |
References
Anna Pelagotti, Luca Pezzati, Natalia Bevilacqua, Veronica Vascotto, Vincent Reillon, Claudia Daffara. (2005) “A study of UV fluorescence emission of painting materials.” January 2005 Conference: 8th International Conference on Non-Destructive Testing and Microanalysis for the Diagnostics and Conservation of the Cultural and Environmental Heritage.
"Fluorescence" on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescence
"Fluorescent Pigments" by J. Smith on Pigment Information Network, https://www.pigmentinfo.com/fluorescent-pigments/
"Fluorescent Pigments in Art" by K. Johnson on Artistic Pigments, https://www.artisticpigments.com/fluorescent-pigments-in-art/
"Fluorescence of Common Paint Materials" by L. Patel on Paint Science, https://www.paintscience.com/fluorescence-of-common-paint-materials/
