Responsive Structural Colors Derived from Geometrical Deformation of Synthetic Nanomaterials

Abstract

Responsive structural colors generated by the geometrical deformation of synthetic nanomaterials with a periodic skeleton corresponding to light wavelength through interference, diffraction, and scattering are recognized as extremely valuable information conversion methods. However, there lacks systematic generalization regarding the responsive structural colors generated from the response deformation of micro–nano structures. In this review, the recent progress on synthetic structural color materials (SCMs) and their size effects on color conversion are summarized and discussed. Different deformable micro–nano structures, such as microspheres, inverse opals, surface wrinkles, nano‐/micropillars, layered stacks, and others, have been summarized. Their common feature is the variation in structural color produced by the deformation of nanostructures, but the difference lies in the deformation mechanism and response to stimuli. It is aimed to figure out the relationship and mechanism between stimuli deformation and the variable structural color of the corresponding nanostructures, inspiring the creation of the next generation of intelligent SCMs. Finally, perspectives on the development of responsive SCMs derived from the geometrical deformation of synthetic nanomaterials are presented. Several potential stimuli‐deformable micro–nano structures are discussed. It is believed that stimuli deformation is a powerful tool for the fabrication of high‐performance responsive SCMs to advance photonic technology.