Melanin-based Structural Color Materials that Mimic Biological Mechanisms

Abstract

Melanin plays a vital role in structural coloration in nature. Recently, we have focused on using polydopamine, a melanin-like polymer, to produce structural color materials. Here we outline our recent work on structural color materials based on artificially synthesized melanin particles inspired by the color of peacock feathers. Since melanin particles act as a structural color material component and a scattering absorber, high-visibility structural color materials can be produced with a single component. This simple and novel process of using artificial melanin particles will be helpful in basic research on structural colors in nature and ink applications.