How is thermochromatic rainbow paint made?

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SUMMARY

Thermochromatic rainbow paint is created using liquid crystals, which exhibit unique optical properties and change color in response to temperature variations. Suppliers like Sigma-Aldrich provide liquid crystals, although the specific chemical formulas are often proprietary and not publicly available. Users can experiment with extracting liquid crystals from defective LCD displays, but commercially available thermochromatic paints typically do not feature the full spectrum of colors desired. Products such as ThermoChromic Temperature Activated Pigment and Thermochromic Pigment - 6 Color Pods are available for purchase, but achieving a broad range of colors requires experimentation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of liquid crystals and their properties
  • Familiarity with thermochromism and its applications
  • Basic knowledge of chemical suppliers and sourcing materials
  • Experience with experimental art techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and applications of liquid crystals in thermochromic materials
  • Explore the process of extracting liquid crystals from LCD displays
  • Investigate various thermochromic pigments available on platforms like Amazon
  • Experiment with mixing different thermochromic pigments to achieve a wider color spectrum
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for artists, chemists, and DIY enthusiasts interested in creating thermochromatic materials and exploring the science behind color-changing pigments.

sauroman1
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I'm curious how thermochromatic paint is made that has many changing colors corresponding to different temperatures? Read that liquid crystals are used but they same as in LCD displays or it's somekind another chemical?
 
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What it could. I checked Wikipedia. These are liquids crystals but I have no idea what chemicals used and where to find them. That's why I'm hoping learn something from experts.
 
A liquid crystals IS a type of chemical. It is basically -as the name implies- a liquid (with some short range order, hence the "crystal") with very interesting optical properties.
Hence, the answer to your question is that you buy them from suppliers of chemicals. If you go to e.g. the Sigma-Aldrich website and search for "liquid crystals" you will get lots of hits.
Note that the chemical formulas for the C that are used commercially tend to be proprietary, i.e. you can't buy them and the manufacturer won't tell you how to make them.
 
Anybody tried extracting liquid crystals from LCD displays? I do have defective PC LCD display from which I plan to get polarizer film and maybe make lamp from backlight, it would be great if I could make as well thermochromatic paint from display.
 
I see several LCD sheets, and also thermochromatic paint sold on amazon.
 
I can't find liquid crystal based paints in online shops. I mean thermochromatic not those with just two colors but LC which have beautiful rainbow colors corresponding to minute temperature changes.
 
sauroman1 said:
I can't find liquid crystal based paints in online shops. I mean thermochromatic not those with just two colors but LC which have beautiful rainbow colors corresponding to minute temperature changes.

I'm not pushing Amazon, but here are some things I found easily.

To get a rainbow of colors from minute temperature changes, you would have to experiment. Put on your artistic experimenter's hat.
 

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