Elena Rossi
The world's blackest paint is a highly debated topic, with several contenders claiming to be the darkest paint in existence. One of the most well-known black paints is Vantablack, which is composed of carbon nanotubes that absorb exceptionally high levels of visible light. However, other paints, such as Musou Black and Black 4.0, have also been claimed to be the blackest paint in the world. These paints are known for their ability to absorb a significant amount of light, creating an ultra-matte and velvety finish. The competition to create the blackest paint involves artists and scientists alike, all aiming to create a paint that rivals the others in terms of depth of colour and artistic application.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Vantablack |
| Composition | Carbon Nanotubes |
| Light Absorption | 99.965% of visible light |
| Appearance | Two-dimensional surface or void space |
| Variants | Vantablack S-VIS, Vantablack S-IR, Vantablack VBx2, CVD Vantablack |
| Applications | Preventing stray light from entering telescopes, improving infrared cameras, emitting and absorbing black body radiation |
| Temperature Range | Performs well in diverse temperature ranges |
| Environment | Suitable for vacuum and air applications |
| Latest Version | Spray coatings with similar optical performance |
| Creator | Ben Jensen, founder and CTO of Surrey NanoSystems |
| Other Black Paints | Musou Black, Black 4.0, Black 3.0 |
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What You'll Learn
Vantablack is the darkest material
Vantablack was invented by Ben Jensen, founder and CTO of Surrey NanoSystems, and was publicly unveiled in July 2014. The original Vantablack coating was grown from a chemical vapour deposition process (CVD) and is no longer manufactured for commercial applications. Instead, it has been superseded by Vantablack spray coatings that offer similar optical performance in key parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Vantablack has many potential applications, including preventing stray light from entering telescopes and improving the performance of infrared cameras on Earth and in space. Surfaces coated with Vantablack are highly suitable for emitting and absorbing blackbody radiation, and the coatings possess suitable durability, enabling them to perform well in diverse temperature ranges and environments.
Vantablack is also available in two sprayable paint variants, Vantablack S-VIS and Vantablack S-IR, which have better infrared absorption than the original coating. These paints require a special license, a temperature of 100–280 °C, and vacuum post-processing.
Despite being one of the darkest materials, Vantablack has faced some competition from other ultra-black paints, such as Black 4.0 and Musou Black. These paints have been marketed as the "blackest black paint in the known universe" and the "world's blackest paint", respectively. However, Vantablack still holds the record for absorbing the highest percentage of visible light.
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Sprayable paint variants
Vantablack, a class of super-black coatings with total hemispherical reflectances (THR) below 1% in the visible spectrum, is widely considered the blackest paint in the world. It is a product of Surrey NanoSystems and was invented by the company's founder and CTO, Ben Jensen.
Vantablack is available in sprayable paint variants, including Vantablack S-VIS and Vantablack VBx2. Vantablack S-VIS, which uses randomly aligned carbon nanotubes, has been licensed exclusively to artist Anish Kapoor for artistic use. This variant is not practical for many types of art due to its physical requirements and thermal characteristics. However, it can be used on surfaces that will be protected by a layer of glass or another material, as it is not particularly wear-resistant.
Vantablack VBx2, on the other hand, is a non-nanotube variant optimized for large-area spraying. It was used in the "Vantablack pavilion" at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
In addition to Surrey NanoSystems, other companies have also developed super-black sprayable paints. NanoLab, for example, offers Singularity LT-AERO, a sprayable, low-temperature activating formulation suited for application on metals, composites, polymers, and other materials used in the aerospace industry. Singularity Black, another nanotube-based black paint, was developed in partnership with artist Jason Chase to provide an alternative to Vantablack.
While these sprayable variants of Vantablack and similar super-black paints offer new possibilities for various applications, it is important to note that they still require specific pre- and post-application steps and may have limitations in terms of wear resistance.
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Stuart Semple's Black 4.0
Black 4.0 is described as a super velvety and ultimate deep black paint. It is said to absorb at least 99% of light, though some users have claimed that it is not significantly darker than its predecessor, Black 3.0. According to reviews, Black 4.0 is best applied after using Black 2.0 as a primer to maximise adhesion. However, it is noted that the paint is fragile and not suitable for use in humid environments as it may turn white over time.
The paint is available for purchase online, with a delivery time of up to three weeks. A fast-track option is also available for those who need the paint urgently. Notably, the product listing includes a disclaimer that the buyer is not Anish Kapoor or affiliated with him in any way, reinforcing the rivalry between Semple and Kapoor in the creation of the world's blackest paint.
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Musou Black
The application process for Musou Black involves applying multiple thin layers of powder coatings. When applied with a paintbrush, the light absorption rate is 98.8%. The paint has a low viscosity, which means it has a thinner consistency than other acrylic paints. This allows for easy application and smooth coverage.
Overall, Musou Black is a unique paint that offers an incredibly dark finish, making it a sought-after option for those seeking the blackest black paint available.
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Nanotube-based paint
Vantablack was invented by Ben Jensen, founder and CTO of Surrey NanoSystems, and was publicly unveiled in July 2014. The original Vantablack coating was grown from a chemical vapour deposition process (CVD) and is no longer manufactured for commercial applications. However, it has been superseded by Vantablack spray coatings, such as Vantablack S-VIS and Vantablack VBx2, which offer similar optical performance. These spray coatings require a temperature of 100–280 °C and vacuum post-processing. Vantablack S-VIS has been exclusively licensed to Anish Kapoor's studio for artistic use.
In response to the limited availability of Vantablack, Nanolab, a carbon nanotube manufacturer, partnered with artist Jason Chase to release a nanotube-based black paint called Singularity Black. Similarly, Stuart Semple created Black 4.0, an acrylic paint that aims to rival Vantablack and is available to all artists.
While nanotube-based paints like Vantablack and Singularity Black offer unique artistic possibilities, they also have practical applications. Surfaces coated with Vantablack are highly suitable for emitting and absorbing blackbody radiation, making them useful in optical configurations, telescopes, and infrared cameras.
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Frequently asked questions
The blackest paint in the world is Musou Black, which absorbs 99.2% of light.
The blackest black paint available to the public is Black 4.0, which absorbs at least 99% of light.
Vantablack is composed of carbon nanotubes that absorb exceptionally high levels of visible light, making it one of the darkest materials in the world. It absorbs up to 99.965% of visible light.
Singularity Black is a nanotube-based black paint created by Nanolab, a carbon nanotube manufacturer, in partnership with Boston artist Jason Chase.
