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Bio-inspired Highly Scattering Networks via Polymer Phase Separation

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Abstract

jats:titleAbstract</jats:title>jats:pA 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.</jats:p>

Description

Keywords

bio-inspired materials, functional coatings, polymeric-films, scattering, whiteness

Journal Title

Advanced Functional Materials

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1616-301X
1616-3028

Volume Title

28

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
European Research Council (639088)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/K014617/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L016087/1)