Abstract
Hierarchical microstnictures in beetle epidermis layers enable a wide variety of structural colors. However, conventional artificial mimicking techniques are limited, mainly, to multi-layer film formation or 3D colloidal crystal array assemblies on flat substrates. In this paper, we propose a new method applying hot embossing using a metal mesh pressed onto the self-assembled opal film on a plastic substrate. Firstly, opal films composed of 0.2 μm polystyrene colloids and infilling elastic silicone polymer were coated on flat polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheets. Then the surface of the opal film was thermally deformed by pressing a micro structured mold into it above the glass transition temperature. Micro- spectroscopic analysis revealed that the spectral reflection from the tip of a convex shaped dome was the same as the one from the flat area under a tilting angle of 25 degrees. Our new method is expected to contribute to the fabrication of future complex biomimetic structural color elements.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 227-231 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | KOBUNSHI RONBUNSHU |
| Volume | 70 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 May |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biomimetics
- Bragg's diffraction
- Hierarchical structure
- Hot pressing
- Opal film
- Plastic deformation
- Structural color
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Materials Science (miscellaneous)
- Environmental Science(all)
- Polymers and Plastics