Research Grant Report
A Jewel Beetle Coating Process by Structural Color of Colloidal Crystal
2019 Volume 27 Pages 94-100
Details
2019 Volume 27 Pages 94-100
We have been developing a new coating method for structural color film caused by colloidal crystal. Three-dimensional objects treated with hydrophilic surfaces were immersed in polystyrene colloidal suspension. Liquid film of colloidal suspension wetted for the objects’ surface and furthermore the liquid surface was covered with a silicone oil liquid. The objects pull out from the colloidal suspension at 60 μm/min rate and coated with colloidal crystal film showing with structural color. The color from blue to red has controlled with the size of the colloidal particle, interspacing of the particles and the refractive index of colloidal crystal film. In addition, our new coating method enables us to coat of high-quality colloidal crystal film on a three-dimensional surface having irregularities or curvature. At the lab level, a polystyrene suspension equivalent to 80 L was prepared and an A3 scale size coating was demonstrated. From a different viewpoint, the suspension can be recycled and a colloidal crystal can be formed at around room temperature. We believe this coating method environmental friendly process with low energy consumption. However, since the deposition rate of the colloidal crystal thin film is very slow, a practical coating process needs improvement.
