Carbon Black Pigment (CI 77 266)

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2. Organic vs. Inorganic

Understanding the Difference

The terms "organic" and "inorganic" can be confusing, as their meanings change based on context. While commonly associated with food and natural products, these terms have more specific definitions in chemistry.

Everyday Language

"Organic" typically refers to natural products made without synthetic chemicals, like pesticides or artificial fertilizers. Organic farming, for example, is viewed as more eco-friendly. ”Inorganic" describes synthetic or non-natural items, such as fertilizers made from synthesized nutrients.

Chemical Perspective

In chemistry, "organic" compounds have carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. Organic chemistry focuses on these compounds’ structures, properties, and reactions. ”Inorganic" compounds are those without a C-H bond, encompassing many other elements. Inorganic chemistry studies substances not classified as organic.

Common Misconceptions

The key confusion arises from using "organic" in everyday language to imply something natural, whereas in chemistry, it's about molecular structure, not the source. A substance can be "organic" chemically but not considered "organic" in the agricultural sense if it's synthetically produced.

About Pigmentology

In pigmentology, the classification hinges on the chemical perspective. A pigment is considered organic if it contains C-H bonds and inorganic if it doesn't, regardless of its natural or synthetic origin.

3. Understanding CI 77266

CI 77266, also known as Carbon Black, is a deeply black pigment renowned for its strong covering ability. It's unique because, although classified as an inorganic pigment, it shares characteristics with organic pigments, particularly due to its small particle size.

This pigment is significantly darker than black iron oxide, another common pigment. The small size of its molecules is key to its high covering power, making it a preferred option for applications that require a deep, intense color. However, CI 77266 has a tendency to fade into grey shades over time because of its high tinting strength.

The particle size and structure of CI 77266 can vary based on how it's produced, and these factors greatly influence its properties. Smaller particles mean more intense color and better coverage. Yet, achieving an even dispersion with small particles is challenging, as they tend to clump together. On the other hand, larger particles are easier to spread evenly but don't provide as much coverage.

Regarding behavior and longevity, Carbon Black acts more like organic pigments despite being inorganic. It stands out for having the smallest particles among both organic and inorganic pigments, which contributes to its distinctive properties. The pigment is also highly resistant to fading, known for its high lightfastness rating. When used with Titanium Dioxide White, these pigments are very durable in the skin. However, they can leave an ashy or grey residue over time, a trait often seen with organic-based pigments. This combination of durability and tendency to fade to greyish tones is a key consideration in its application.

4. CI 77266 Production Methods

CI 77266, also known as Carbon Black, is produced using three main methods: Channeling, Furnacing, and Thermal processing, each resulting in different particle sizes, colors, and characteristics.

Channeling Method

In the Channeling method, crude oil vapor mixed with carrier gas is exposed to a flame against channel steel, producing a very fine form of Carbon Black called "channel black." This method yields the smallest particles (90-100 nanometers), resulting in an intense blackish and slightly bluish color. The small particle size of channel black makes it nearly opaque and is often called “Black 6.”

Furnacing Method

The Furnacing method involves purifying and atomizing heavy aromatic oils in a closed reactor furnace, where they undergo pyrolysis to form carbon particles. The controlled environment inside the furnace produces medium-sized particles (200-300 nanometers), giving a greenish, semi-opaque color known as “Black 2” or “Base Black 2.” This method is notable for its efficiency and ability to repurpose residual gases.

Thermal Method

Lastly, the Thermal method uses natural gas methane or high-grade hydrocarbon oils in an oxygen-free reactor. The gas decomposes into Carbon Black and hydrogen under high heat. This method creates the largest particles (up to 500 nanometers) with a brownish, less opaque color. Known as “Black 7,” this Carbon Black is one of the purest forms industrially available, with minimal aggregation.

5. Organic vs. Inorganic in Chemistry

In chemistry, “organic” refers to carbon compounds containing hydrogen, like hydrocarbons. In contrast, “inorganic” carbon compounds lack hydrogen. Pure carbon forms like graphite or diamond are considered inorganic, as are carbon compounds bonded with non-hydrogen elements, such as oxygen in carbon dioxide.

Each of these production methods contributes uniquely to the properties and applications of CI 77266, offering a range of options for various uses in pigmentology.

The Organic Nature of Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons, consisting of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen, are the core of organic chemistry. This is why only hydrocarbons, with their carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds, truly fit the definition of organic compounds.

Channel Black: Organic and Inorganic

Channel Black is an interesting case, with 19% of its composition being organic and 81% inorganic, despite being entirely made of carbon. The difference lies in the types of carbon bonds formed during production. The organic part comes from aromatic hydrocarbons, complex C-H compounds, while the inorganic portion is elemental carbon in its free state. This makes Channel Black a hybrid pigment, combining organic and inorganic elements.

Furnace Black: Another Hybrid Example

Similarly, Furnace Black contains 55% organic hydrocarbons and 45% elemental carbon. The balance between these organic and inorganic components influences its properties, such as particle size and color intensity. While often marketed as "purely organic," it is, in fact, a mixture of both elemental carbon and hydrocarbons.

Thermal Black: Predominantly Inorganic

Thermal Black is mainly inorganic, comprising 99% elemental carbon and only 1% organic components. Despite its large particle size, which can mimic the behavior of organic pigments in certain applications, its dominant elemental carbon content categorizes it as inorganic.

6. Hairstrokes and other Procedures

For powder brows procedures, Thermal Black (Black 7) emerges as a preferable choice. Its larger particles reduce the risk of migration or deep skin penetration. When applied, Thermal Black imparts a brownish undertone, ideal for powdering and microblading techniques. Over time, it fades to an anthracite shade without losing its brownish undertone. Its lower opacity ensures a balanced visual effect, while its reflective quality gives powdered skin areas a more natural brownish appearance.

"Carbon Black" in Pigments

To determine which type of "Carbon Black" is in your pigment, the "water test" is a simple yet effective method. Though it doesn't provide detailed data on long-term stability, it helps distinguish between Black 6, Black 2, and Black 7. Add a small amount of pigment to water without stirring for the test and observe the results.

Black 6 - "The Gas Black" Black 6, with very small particle sizes, disperses in water almost like a powder, slightly coloring the water. This aligns with its composition, being primarily made from oil, hence its behavior in water.
Black 2 - "The Oil Black" Black 2, semi-soluble in water, behaves like a drop of oil, spreading out without forming individual particles. This is an indication of Black 2, reflecting its oil-based nature.
Black 7 - "The Elemental Carbon" Black 7 typically has larger particles that often sink to the bottom, mimicking the behavior of minerals. Being 99% elemental carbon, which is organic, it naturally behaves this way in water.

Oil-derived and Gas-derived Carbon Blacks

When observing these blacks in water, Thermal Black (Black 7) resembles mineral-based Black Iron Oxide, forming dense, sinking clumps due to its inorganic, elemental carbon composition. In contrast, Channel Black (Black 6), containing up to 20% organic components, disperses more evenly, resulting in a lighter water coloration due to its smaller particle size. Meanwhile, oil-derived Furnace Black (Black 2) spreads out in water, acting similarly to petroleum oil. These differences in behavior provide a practical way to identify the type of Carbon Black in your pigment.

Hydrocarbons and pH in Skin Pigmentation

The implantation ease of different Carbon Blacks, like Black 2 and Black 6, in semi-permanent makeup can be explained by their physical and chemical properties and how they interact with the skin's environment.

Particle Size and Implantation Ease

Contrary to intuitive belief, the larger particles of oil-based Furnace Black (Black 2), ranging from 150-300 nm, are easier to implant into the skin in one pass than the smaller particles of gas-based Channel Black, sized at 90-100 nm. This ease of implantation is linked to how well the pigment’s chemical properties align with the skin’s characteristics.

Skin pH and Chemical Makeup of Pigment

The key lies in the chemical structure of the pigments. Smaller particles often need more oxygen bonds for stability, making them less acidic. Since the skin's pH largely involves hydrogen bonds, pigments with larger particle sizes containing more hydrogen bonds, like organic hydrocarbons, integrate more seamlessly into the skin. Black 2, with up to 55% hydrocarbons (C-H), thus "sinks" into the skin more effectively than Black 6, which is 19% hydrocarbons and has a higher elemental carbon content.

Migration Risk with Black 2

The chemical composition of Black 2, closely resembling that of the skin, facilitates easier entry into capillaries, posing a risk of migrating beyond the intended area. This characteristic makes Black 2 less suitable for techniques like hairstrokes or pixelating, as it tends to blur within the skin.

Therefore, selecting pigments for semi-permanent makeup requires careful consideration of the pigment colorants' chemical and physical properties. This understanding helps minimize risks like pigment migration and achieve the desired results in skin pigmentation procedures.

7. Conclusions

It's a common misunderstanding that "carbon black" is a singular type of pigment, strictly categorized as either "organic" or "inorganic." However, carbon black's classification depends on the kind of bonds carbon forms with other elements. Elemental carbon and carbon-oxygen bonds are deemed "inorganic," while "hydrocarbon" (carbon-hydrogen bonds) is considered "organic."

Different production methods yield distinct types of carbon black:

Channeling: Produces "Black 6" or "Channel Black," derived from crude oil and gas. It has small particles (90-100 nanometers), comprising 19% organic hydrocarbons and 81% inorganic elemental carbon. The color is a deep, bluish-black. Due to its light nature, it is less likely to sink into the skin, making it suitable for eyeliners and shading.

Furnacing: Results in "Black 2," "Base Black 2," or "Furnace Black," made primarily from petroleum oils. With a medium particle size (200-300 nanometers) and consisting of 55% organic hydrocarbons and 45% inorganic elemental carbon, it has a greenish-black hue and penetrates the skin more easily, fitting for eyeliner line techniques.

Thermal Processing: Creates "Black 7" or "Thermal Black," mostly from ethylene gas. This type has the largest particles (up to 500 nanometers), with 1% organic and 99% inorganic elemental carbon. Its brownish-black color and harder application make it ideal for eyebrow work and powdering techniques.

A water test effectively identifies the type of "Black" in a carbon black pigment. Black 6 disperses lightly in water, Black 2 spreads like petroleum oil, and Black 7 sinks due to larger particles, reflecting its organic nature.

For implantation ease, both particle size and chemical composition are crucial. Black 2, rich in C-H bonds, integrates into the skin more effectively than Black 6, despite its larger particles, demonstrating the demonstrating the importance of considering both physical and chemical properties in pigment selection.