Replication of Papilio maackii Ménétriés butterfly scale structural color using a magnetron sputtering method

Abstract

The natural butterfly Papilio maackii Ménétriés scales were found, through scanning and transmission electron microscopy, to comprise stacks of thin layers. Replicated scales were then fabricated on a silicon substrate using a magnetron sputtering (MS) method with ITO (In 2 O 3 (90%)+SnO 2 (10%)) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Finally, the optical effects of the replicated scale were examined by a spectrometer. The results showed that the replicated and natural scales have the similar characteristics in structural colors. As a result, it can be concluded that the MS method reported in this paper is a feasible method for fabricating an artificial biological structural color or other optical elements.

Structural colors of fabric from Ag/TiO2 composite films prepared by magnetron sputtering deposition

“…This is caused by an optical interference, the reflected color depending on the interference conditions, namely the refractive indices of the materials, the thickness of the metal oxide film and the angle of observation. Structural color is more brilliant in color, more resistant to sunshine and will not fade away with time, and more environmental friendly than traditional dyes and pigments (Wu et al, 2012;Shen et al, 2012). Therefore, it has great potential in replacing some toxic dyes and pigments used in the fields of printing and dyeing, textile and others.…”

High light absorption properties and optical structures in butterfly Heliophorus ila Lvcaenidae wing scales

“…It can be concluded from eqn (9) that two out of the constants A 1 , A 2 , A 3 were independent. Aer satisfying eqn (8) and (9), eqn (7) could be considered as one sort of region oscillation of the electromagnetic eld inside the rectangular hollow structure.…”

“…Aer substituting eqn (7) into V Ẽ ¼ 0, the three arbitrary constants A 1 , A 2 , A 3 must t the relation shown in eqn (9).…”

“…These scales are composed of a chitin materials. 5 Due to different optical effects, for example anti-reection, diffraction, light scattering as photonic crystal structure, [6][7][8][9][10][11] scales appear in many colors which can be employed for signal transmission, mimicry, alerting and other purposes. [12][13][14] In terms of applications, bionic products originated from buttery have been used on various occasions.…”

Bionic Study on Structural Solar Absorption Materials Based on Microstructure Pattern of Butterfly Scales

“…Potyrailo predicated that bionic materials with micro-structure of butterfly scales will be widely applied in medicine, energy sources, environment security, agriculture and aerospace technology [12]. In China, studies were performed on the mechanism of the structural color [13], calculation of reflect spectrum [14][15][16], replication of the micro structural materials [17] and bionic application attempts [18]. Literature review shows there is no bionic research about butterfly applied in solar heat utilization.…”