Brilliant non-iridescent structural colors of hierarchical photonic films by hydrophobic substrates assembly design

Abstract

Hierarchical structure designs can maximize the application of structural materials on multi-dimensional scale from a limited choice. Mimicking this performance is a great challenge, especially in optical structures. Here, a hierarchical structural-colored film with highly ordered periodic layers and amorphous array layers was designed by a simple one-step confined self-assembly procedure based on hydrophobic substrates, which shows an excellent optical effect. The highly ordered periodic layers could act as a specific wavelength mirror-like reflectance, which enhanced the coherent scattering of light in the amorphous arrays, resulting in higher color visibility. The intricate interaction of light over hierarchical structures at different length scales has profound significance for the application of complex optical assemblies.