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Bio-inspired Highly Scattering Networks via Polymer Phase Separation

Syurik, Julia 1; Jacucci, Gianni; Onelli, Olimpia D.; Hölscher, Hendrik ORCID iD icon 1; Vignolini, Silvia
1 Institut für Mikrostrukturtechnik (IMT), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

Abstract:

A common strategy to optimize whiteness in living organisms consists in using 3D random networks with dense and polydisperse scattering elements constituted by relatively low refractive index materials. Inspired by these natural architectures, a fast and scalable method to produce highly scattering porous polymer films via phase separation is developed. By varying the molecular weight of the polymer, the morphology of the porous films is modified, and therefore their scattering properties are tuned. The achieved transport mean free paths are in the micrometer range, improving the scattering strength of analogous low refractive index systems, e.g., standard white paper, by an order of magnitude. The produced porous films show a broadband reflectivity of ≈75% while only 4 µm thick. In addition, the films are flexible and can be readily index-matched with water (i.e., they become transparent when wet), allowing for various applications such as coatings with tunable transmittance and responsive paints.


Verlagsausgabe §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000080542
Veröffentlicht am 28.06.2018
Originalveröffentlichung
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201706901
Scopus
Zitationen: 71
Web of Science
Zitationen: 70
Dimensions
Zitationen: 76
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Mikrostrukturtechnik (IMT)
Publikationstyp Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Publikationsjahr 2018
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator ISSN: 1057-9257, 1099-0712, 1616-301X, 1616-3028
urn:nbn:de:swb:90-805423
KITopen-ID: 1000080542
HGF-Programm 43.22.01 (POF III, LK 01) Functionality by Design
Erschienen in Advanced functional materials
Verlag Wiley-VCH Verlag
Seiten 1706901/1-6
Vorab online veröffentlicht am 21.02.2018
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