Functional Black Dyes

Photovoltaic performance of the DSSC is described as follows Figure 8 shows the external spectral response curve of the photocurrent for nanocrystalline Ti02 solar cells sensitized by N3 and black dyes with the I /If redox mediator, where the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) is represented as a function of wavelength. IPCE is obtained by the following equation ... 

Figure 8 Spectral responses (IPCE) of N3- and black dye-sensitized 2 solar cells. IPCE is plotted as a function of wavelength. (Data from Ref. 20.)...

Bicomponent technology has been used to introduce functional and novelty effects other than stretch to nylon fibers. For instance, antistatic yams are made by spinning a conductive carbon-black polymer dispersion as a core with a sheath of nylon (188) and as a side-by-side configuration (189). At 0.1—1.0% implants, these conductive filaments give durable static resistance to nylon carpets without interfering with dye coloration. Conductive materials such as carbon black or metals as a sheath around a core of nylon interfere with color, especially light shades. 

Mordant dyes generally have the characteristics of acid dyes but with the ability in addition to form a stable complex with chromium. Most commonly, this takes the form of two hydroxy groups on either side of (ortho to) the azo group of a monoazo dye, as illustrated for the case of C. I. Mordant Black 1 (151). The dye is generally applied to the fibre as an acid dye and then treated with a source of chromium, commonly sodium or potassium dichromate. As a result of the process, the chromium(vi) is reduced by functional groups on the wool fibre, for example the cysteine thiol groups, and a chromium(m) complex of the dye is formed within the... 

As discussed in Chapter 10, a wide variety of additives is used in the polymer industry. Stabilizers, waxes, and processing aids reduce degradation of the polymer during processing and use. Dyes and pigments provide the many hues that we observe in synthetic fabrics and molded articles, such as household containers and toys. Functional additives, such as glass fibers, carbon black, and metakaolins can improve dimensional stability, modulus, conductivity, or electrical resistivity of the polymer. Fillers can reduce the cost of the final part by replacing expensive resins with inexpensive materials such as wood flour and calcium carbonate. The additives chosen will depend on the properties desired. 

The now familiar alternatives of visual and potentiometric detection are available. A number of organic dyes form coloured chelates with many metal ions. These coloured chelates are often discernible to the eye at concentrations of 10 6-10 7 mol dm 3 and can function as visual indicators. Most metal ion indicators will also undergo parallel reactions with protons bringing about similar colour changes. Hence, a careful consideration of pH is prudent when selecting an indicator. Some typical indicators appear in Table 5.9. Of these, eriochrome black T, which forms red complexes with over twenty metal ions, is amongst the most widely used. Its behaviour will serve as a general example of indicator function. 

This is an alternative method of introducing copper into an o-hydroxyazo dye structure. The azo compound is treated with a copper(II) salt and an oxidant in an aqueous medium at 40-70 °C and pH 4.5-7.0. Sodium peroxide, sodium perborate, hydrogen peroxide or other salts of peroxy acids may be used as oxidants, the function of which is to introduce a second hydroxy group in the o -position [25]. This process is reminiscent of earlier work on Cl Acid Red 14 (5.51 X = H), an o-hydroxyazo dye that will not react with a chromium (III) salt to form a 1 1 complex but will do so by oxidation with an acidified dichromate solution. This oxidation product was later found to be identical with that obtained by conventional reaction of Cl Mordant Black 3 (5.51 X = OH) with a chromium(III) salt [7]. 

Phenolic resins are the cheapest of all molding materials, since they usually contain more than 50% filler—sawdust, glass fibers, oils, etc. Their main properties are heat resistance, excellent dielectrics, and ease of molding. However, they have poor impact resistance (they crack) and they don t hold most dyes very well, except black. Their use is thereby restricted— they re functional but not pretty. When the telephone companies started making phones in colors, they quit using phenolic resins and instead bought more expensive thermosets. 

When H-acid is used as a double coupling component, as in 13, in which reactive groups are present in both diazo functions, the resulting dye color ranges from blue to black. 

The azo compounds are important chromophores because of extended electronic delocalisation between the two aromatic rings via the azo bond. The darkness of the dye is enhanced by extensive delocalisation combined with several sulfonic acid groups which function as auxochromes. An example is provided by Naphthol Blue Black B (10), prepared from 8-amino-l-hydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid (H-acid) (11) by coupling it in the 7-position with diazotised p-nitroaniline in acidic solution and subsequently coupling in the 2-position with diazotised aniline in alkaline solution (Scheme 3). The H-acid (11) is a very versatile component in dye manufacture because it can couple with diazonium salts in either the 2-position or 7-position depending on the pH of the reaction medium, as indicated in Scheme 3. 

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