\textbf{Bioinspired Non-iridescent Structural Color from Polymer Blend Thin Films}
ORAL
Abstract
Colors exhibited in biological species are either due to natural pigments, sub-micron structural variation or both. Structural colors thus exhibited can be iridescent (ID) or non-iridescent (NID) in nature. NID colors originate due to interference and coherent scattering of light with quasi-ordered micro- and nano- structures. Specifically, in Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) these nanostructures develop as a result of phase separation of $\beta $-keratin from cytoplasm present in cells. We replicate these structures \textit{via} spinodal blend phase separation of PS-PMMA thin films. Colors of films vary from ultraviolet to blue. Scattering of UV-visible light from selectively leeched phase separated blends are studied in terms of varying domain spacing (200nm to 2$\mu $m) of film. We control these parameters by tuning annealing time and temperature. Angle-resolved spectroscopy studies suggest that the films are weakly iridescent and scattering from phase-separated films is more diffused when compared to well-mixed films. This study offers solutions to several color-based application in paints and coatings industry.
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Authors
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Asritha Nallapaneni
Univ of Akron
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Matthew Shawkey
Univ of Akron
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Alamgir Karim
Univ of Akron, University of Akron