Preparation and Electrochromic Property of SiO2 @ PANI Photonic Crystals

Monodisperse silica particles were prepared by the modified Stober method, and the SiO2 pal film was obtained by a vertical deposition self-assembly method. Polyaniline was infiltrated into the SiO2 pal template via electrochemical methods, so as to fabricate core-shell structured SiO2 @ PANT photonic crystal films. The electrochromic properties, contrast and response time of the SiO2 @ PANT film were characterized via cycle voltammograms and spectroelectrochemistry. It was found that the color of the SiO2 @ PANT film was bright and vibrant with a maximal contrast of 77%,which was superior to that of the pure PANT film (43%), and its response speed was faster. It is an effective method to improve the electrochromic performances of conducting polymers by introducing the photonic crystal structures.