What is the Difference Between Pigment and Dye?

The main difference between pigments and dyes lies in their solubility and the way they bond with surfaces. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Solubility: Dyes are soluble in water or other mediums, while pigments are insoluble and require a suspending agent or binder to remain mixed with the medium.
• Particle Size: Dye particles are much smaller than pigment particles, which affects the way they behave in solutions or suspensions.
• Bonding Properties: Dyes chemically attach themselves to a substrate on a molecular level, becoming part of the material, while pigments sit on top of the substrate in a layer, held in place by a binder or carrier.
• Opacity: Pigments, due to their particle nature, generally produce more opaque colors compared to dyes.
• Lightfastness: Pigments have the ability to resist fading, whereas dyes are more vulnerable to fading or bleaching caused by ultraviolet light from the sun.

In summary, dyes are soluble colorants that chemically bind with a material, while pigments are insoluble particles suspended in a medium or binder, providing better lightfastness and opacity.

Comparative Table: Pigment vs Dye

Here is a table comparing the differences between pigments and dyes:

Pigments are discrete colored particles that are insoluble in the medium, while dyes are soluble and form a colorant when dissolved in a medium, such as water. Pigments are applied to the surface and form a coating, whereas dyes chemically bind with the material. Pigments are typically used in paints, inks, and coatings, while dyes are commonly used in textiles, paper, leather, wood, and food industries.