Overview
- The study by Zhiwei Liu and colleagues, published in Matter & Light on Thursday, reports a coating that absorbs about 99.9% of visible light and reflects roughly 0.08%.
- The formula combines carbon black (soot) with small amounts of carbon nanotubes so incoming light is both absorbed by pigment and trapped by microstructures that scatter light multiple times.
- Researchers ran preliminary durability checks including a 4,000 rpm centrifuge test and 14 days at 40°C with 95% relative humidity and found little measurable change in the coating under those lab conditions.
- The team presents the formulation as a candidate for automotive lacquers because of its visual depth and appeal in premium markets, particularly China, but the work stops short of claiming readiness for mass production.
- The authors warn that nanotube‑containing paints raise processing challenges such as increased viscosity and application complexity, so industrial scale‑up, manufacturing methods, and further long‑term testing remain necessary next steps.