Hyperreflective photonic crystals created by shearing colloidal dispersions at ultrahigh volume fraction.

ABSTRACT: Colloidal crystallization serves as one of the most economic and scalable production methods for photonic crystals. However, insufficient optical performance, nonuniformity and low reproducibility remain challenges for advanced high-value applications. In this study, we optimally formulate a photocurable dispersion of silica particles and apply shear flow to unify the orientation of the colloidal crystals, ensuring high optical performance and uniformity. The silica particles experience strong repulsion at ultrahigh volume fractions of 50% but demonstrate low mobility, leading to polycrystalline structures. Applying shear flow to the dispersions allows the silica particles to rearrange into larger crystalline domains with a unidirectional orientation along the flow. This shear-induced stru

SUBMITTER: Kim M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10827709 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature