Acidic/alkali Vapor Sensitive One Dimensional Photonic Crystals with a Gradient Architecture

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive one dimensional photonic crystals (1DPCs) have attracted much attention recently. Here, we reported a one-step method for acidic/alkali vapor responsive 1DPCs with gradient structural color. The principle of the experimental work involved the fabrication of gradient 1DPC structure and the responsiveness of 1DPC contains conducting polymer polyaniline (PANI) to acidic/alkali vapor. This gradient structure takes advantage of the structural color of photonic crystals and improve the identification of the response process. Our results showed that acidic/alkali vapor responsiveness of the synthesized gradient structure and the gradual structural color change could be fine-tuned by the addition of different atmosphere of acidic/alkali vapor. Furthermore, the gradient structure and gradual structural color change can be characterized by hyper spectral imaging system visually. In this way, acidic/alkali vapor responsive 1DPCs with gradient structural and gradual change structure color can be used as acidic/alkali vapor monitoring devices.