Fargestoffstoffer

Fargestoffstoffer, commonly known as dyes, are substances that impart color to materials. They are typically organic compounds that absorb specific wavelengths of visible light and reflect others, producing the sensation of color. Dyes can be natural, derived from plants, animals, or minerals, or synthetic, created through chemical processes.

Natural dyes have been used for millennia, with examples including indigo from the indigo plant, madder from the madder root, and cochineal from insects. Synthetic dyes, developed in the 19th century, offer a wider range of colors, greater colorfastness, and often lower production costs. Common synthetic dye classes include azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, and phthalocyanine dyes.

The application of dyes depends on the material being colored. Textile dyeing, for instance, involves immersing fabrics in a dye bath, often with the aid of mordants, which are substances that help fix the dye to the fiber. Dyes are also used in inks, paints, plastics, cosmetics, and food. The choice of dye is influenced by factors such as the desired color, the material's properties, lightfastness, washfastness, and environmental considerations.