Curcumin and its derivatives for use as silicone colorants

Abstract

Colored silicone polymers and elastomers are described herein wherein the colorants used in the composition provide tint to the polymer, but are capable of retaining transparency of the substrate if desired. The colorants include curcumin and/or a derivative thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings an embodiment that is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement as shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a representation of a spectrum of the product formed in Example 1 herein.

Claims

1. A silicone-based composition, comprising a silicone and a colorant, wherein the colorant comprises curcumin or a derivative thereof.

2. The silicone-based composition according to claim 1, wherein the silicone is an elastomeric silicone.

3. The silicone-based composition according to claim 1, wherein the curcumin or the derivative thereof has formula (II):

4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the curcumin and/or derivative thereof has formula (I):

5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein R is hydrogen.

6. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the curcumin and/or derivative thereof has formula (III):

7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein R is hydrogen.

8. A method of coloring a silicone, comprising providing to a silicone a colorant comprising curcumin or a derivative thereof.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the colorant is provided to the silicone in an amount of from 0.001 to about 5 weight percent of the silicone.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the silicone is a silicone elastomer.

11. A dye useful for coloring a silicone, wherein the dye is curcumin or a derivative thereof and wherein the dye is at least partially soluble in the silicone.

12. The dye according to claim 11, wherein the dye is completely soluble in the silicone.

13. A method of coloring a siliceous surface, comprising applying to a siliceous surface a colorant comprising curcumin and/or a derivative thereof;reacting an end group of the curcumin and/or derivative thereof with silicon atoms in the surface to thereby incorporate the colorant in the substrate surface.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the curcumin and/or a derivative thereof is polymerized along the substrate surface forming a colored layer thereon.

15. A polymer formed by polymerizing at least one monomer having the following formula (II):

16. The polymer according to claim 15, wherein the polymerization of the monomer is a two step method, wherein a first step is a hydrolysis reaction and a second step is a condensation reaction.