Pigments are colorants used to provide color to various materials, including paints, textiles, plastics, cosmetics, and food. These substances can be natural or synthetic and are typically insoluble in the medium they are applied to, unlike dyes, which dissolve. Pigments work by absorbing certain wavelengths of light and reflecting others, creating visible color. Natural pigments, such as those derived from plants, minerals, and animals, have been used for centuries, while synthetic pigments offer a broader range of colors and greater stability. Common types include inorganic pigments like titanium dioxide (white) and chromium oxide (green), as well as organic pigments such as phthalocyanine blue and quinacridone red. Pigments are chosen based on their color, lightfastness (resistance to fading), toxicity, and environmental impact, with the demand for non-toxic, eco-friendly pigments growing in recent years
