The preparation of monodisperse P(St-BA-MAA)@disperse dye microspheres and fabrication of patterned photonic crystals with brilliant structural colors on white substrates

The black disperse dye and poly (styrene-butyl acrylate-methacrylic acid) (P(St-BA-MAA)) seed microspheres synthesized by soap-free emulsion copolymerization are regarded as main components to prepare P(St-BA-MAA) @disperse dye composite microspheres (@ means the dye is loaded on the microsphers). The influences of the concentrations of disperse dye, the concentrations of P(St-BA-MAA) seed microspheres and the preparation temperature on diameters and monodispersity of P(St-BA-MAA)@disperse dye microspheres are deeply investigated, and the prepared P(St-BA-MAA)@disperse dye microspheres are acted as the structural units to construct photonic crystals with structural colors on fabric substrates by ink-jet printing technology. Especially, the resultant photonic crystals and structural colors are detailedly characterized, and the comparison of self-assembly effect between P(St-BA-MAA)@disperse dye microspheres and pure P(St-BA-MAA) microspheres are depicted. The results showed that the monodisper P(St-BA-MAA)@disperse dye microspheres with different diameters ranging from 180 nm to 350 nm could be prepared by adjusting the concentrations of disperse dye and P(St-BA-MAA) seed microspheres and the preparation temperature. The P(St-BA-MAA)@disperse dye photonic crystals with FCC structure are regular and orderly, showing a bright and iridescent structural colors. Black disperse dye in composite microspheres plays a role in the absorption of stray light, and the structural color effect of P(St-BA-MAA)@disperse dye photonic crystals is better than pure P(St-BA-MAA) photonic crystals on white substrates. It is concluded that this research will offer theoretical basis and practical guidance for the fabrication of photonic crystals with brilliant structural colors on white substrates.