Highly monodisperse zwitterion functionalized non-spherical polymer particles with tunable iridescence. Issue 47 (30th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vasantha, Vivek Arjunan; Rusli, Wendy; Junhui, Chen; Wenguang, Zhao; Sreekanth, Kandammathe Valiyaveedu; Singh, Ranjan; Parthiban, Anbanandam
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 9:Issue 47(2019)
• Page Start: 27199
• Page End: 27207
• Publication Date: 2019-08-30
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ra05162g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : A convenient method to fabricate functional photonic crystal arrays using self-assembled non-spherical particles that form tunable iridescent polymer opal by changing size and morphologies, thereby producing new responsive photonic material. Abstract : A facile and simple synthetic route towards functionalized non-spherical polymer particles (NSP) with tunable morphologies and iridescence is presented. Monodisperse particles with unique zwitterionic functionality were synthesized via emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization in a single step process. The sulfobetaine comonomer was utilized to induce phase separation in the course of polymerization to achieve anisotropic NSP with controlled morphologies such as quasi-spherical with protruding structures like bulge, eye-ball, and snowman-like nanostructures. Both SEM and TEM analyses revealed anisotropic particles, and phase-separated protrusion morphology with a small increase in aspect ratio. By taking advantage of the monodisperse, colloidally stable NSPs, template free photonic crystal arrays were fabricated through a bottom-up approach. The particles readily self-assemble and exhibit a photonic bandgap with vivid structural colors that arise from ordered structures of different morphologies. Additionally, the salt-responsive photonic crystals also possess tunable color-changing characteristics.