Choosing a black pigment requires more than looking at a colour sample. Where the application needs a particular optical response, appearance and performance should be specified separately. Today’s research review examines that distinction from an industrial testing perspective.
Research summary
A study published online on 7 October 2026 examines controlled carbon black oxidation to improve near-infrared reflectance while retaining deep blackness.
Gohar’s analysis: from laboratory result to industrial selection
A useful evaluation starts by defining the manufacturer’s actual objective: a deep black shade, behaviour at a particular wavelength, or performance of the coating system in service. Treating these as interchangeable requirements can make grade comparisons misleading. A sample that looks black to the eye still needs assessment against the project’s own measurement criteria.
For product development, testing the complete formulation matters. Resin, pigment loading, film thickness, substrate and sample preparation should be held constant or clearly documented during comparisons. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to distinguish a pigment effect from a change in test conditions.
The report is a reason to follow research and design validation trials, rather than a guarantee for all modified carbon blacks or an announcement of commercial readiness. Repeatability, coating durability and supply feasibility need investigation before industrial adoption. Optical results alone also do not establish the safety of a sensor system or the recyclability of a finished product.
Source: original paper in Diamond and Related Materials; DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2026.114276, online 7 October. Gohar review: 16 October 2026.
Conceptual illustration of black coating evaluation, not an experimental result or a photograph of the research laboratory.