Photonic Crystal Palette of Binary Block Copolymer Blends for Full Visible Structural Color Encryption

Structural color (SC) arising from a periodically ordered self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) photonic crystal (PC) is useful for reflective-mode sensing displays owing to its capability of stimuli-responsive structure alteration. However, a set of PC inks, each providing a precisely addressable SC in the full visible range, has rarely been demonstrated. Here, a strategy for developing BCP PC inks with tunable structures is presented. This involves solution-blending of two lamellar-forming BCPs with different molecular weights. By controlling the mixing ratio of the two BCPs, a thin 1D BCP PC film is developed with alternating in-plane lamellae whose periodicity varies linearly from approximate to 46 to approximate to 91 nm. Subsequent preferential swelling of one-type lamellae with either solvent or non-volatile ionic liquid causes the photonic band gap of the films to red-shift, giving rise to full-visible-range SC correlated with the pristine nanostructures of the blended films in both liquid and solid states. The BCP PC palette of solution-blended binary solutions is conveniently employed in various coating processes, allowing facile development of BCP SC on the targeted surface. Furthermore, full-color SC paintings are realized with their transparent PC inks, facilitating low-power pattern encryption.