Colloidal Photonic Crystals with Narrow Stopbands Assembled from Low-Adhesive Superhydrophobic Substrates

Abstract

This article presents a facile approach to centimeter-scale colloidal photonic crystals (PCs) with narrow stopbands assembled on low-adhesive superhydrophobic substrates. The full-width-at-half-maxima of the stopbands are just 12 nm. The narrow stopbands of colloidal PCs are ascribed to the combined effects of perfectly ordered assembly structure, large-scale crack elimination, decreased void fraction, and sufficient thickness of the colloidal PCs. These properties result from a self-assembly process on a low-adhesive superhydrophobic substrate. Latex suspension on this substrate displays a receding three-phase contact line during evaporation, which releases tensile stress induced by latex shrinkage and results in complete elimination of cracks in the colloidal PCs. Furthermore, the simultaneous assembly of latex particles on the outermost layer of a spread liquid film contributes to the perfectly ordered assembly structure. This facile fabrication of centimeter-scale colloidal PCs with narrow stopbands will offer significant insights into the design and creation of novel optical devices.

Superamphiphobic surfaces

“…The only exception is the case of slippery liquid surfaces-liquids on such surfaces slides freely but unable to roll due to their special surface structure and unique surface chemical component. [20][21][22]  SA becomes impractical when macroscopically rough 85 substrates such as cotton fabrics and wools are measured. 19 In order to characterize the superhydrophobicity of a macroscopically textile, a new technique named shedding angle was developed recently.…”

Photonic Crystals with an Eye Pattern Similar to Peacock Tail Feathers

“…A series of self-assembly methods have been established for the achievement of various unique functional materials. For example, crack-free colloidal PCs with narrow stopband were achieved on the low-adhesive/superhydrophobic substrate as the three phase contact line (TCL) reduced continuously [15,16]. Pattern colloidal PCs were manufactured from the printing technique by using the pattern substrate [17].…”

Biomimetic self-cleaning surfaces: synthesis, mechanism and applications

“…Diverse approaches, including the creation of the three-dimensional gradient porous rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org J. R. Soc. Interface 13: 20160300 interconnected network, hydrogel-coated mesh, fluid-infused porous films, reversible capillary-stabilized liquid-filled pores, assembled colloidal photonic crystals, micro/nano-hierarchical structures and proximally immobilized ions, have been employed to build surfaces with self-cleaning properties [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]. Figure 3 summarizes some of the compelling strategies reported recently.…”