In this study, hybrid pigments based on carminic acid (CA) were synthesized and applied in polymer materials. Modification of aluminum-magnesium hydroxycarbonate (LH) with CA transformed the soluble chromophore into an organic-inorganic hybrid colorant. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to study the structure, composition, and morphology of the insoluble LH/CA colorant. Successful modification of the LH was confirmed by the presence of interactions between the LH matrix and molecules of CA. XPS analysis corroborated the presence of CA complexes with Mg2+ ions in the LH host. The batochromic shift in UV-Vis spectra of the organic-inorganic hybrid colorant was attributed to metal-dye interactions in the organic-inorganic hybrid colorants. Strong metal-dye interactions may also be responsible for the improved solvent resistance and chromostability of the modified LH. In comparison to uncolored ethylene-norbornene copolymer (EN), a modified EN sample containing LH/CA pigment showed lower heat release rate (HRR) and reduced total heat release (THR), providing the material with enhanced flame retardancy.
Keywords: aluminum-magnesium hydroxycarbonate; carminic acid; ethylene-norbornene copolymer; flame retardancy; hybrid materials.