Preparation and characterization of UV curable-encapsulated phthalocyanine blue pigment

•Nanoscale phthalocyanine pigment was prepared through ball milling and ultrasonication.•Novel encapsulation of pigment using UV-curable resins has been developed.•Thermal analysis and sedimentation provided supporting evidences for the encapsulation.•Polyester acrylate oligomers and water soluble initiator stabilize the ink formulation.•This method of modifying organic pigment to be used as UV-curable inks was effective. Aqueous dispersions of nano-scale C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3 (PB15:3) were prepared through ball milling and ultrasonication in presence of dispersing agents. A novel encapsulation of pigment through mini-emulsion approached by using UV-curable resins has been developed. Critical factors included the mode of preparation; type of dispersing agent and the type of photo initiator. Results showed that use of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) maintained a high stability of dispersion with storage. The thermal analysis, ultracentrifuge sedimentation and morphologies provided supporting evidences for the encapsulation of PB 15:3 into UV-curable resins. The acrylate oligomers based on polyester acrylate in the presence of water soluble initiator stabilizes the mini-emulsion droplets and ink formulation with time. The methods provided encapsulated phthalocyanine blue pigment dispersion in which found to be durable and effective in preliminary application for ink formulations of cotton fabric.