Colloidal Crystal Films Consisting of Silica Particles Surface-modified with Polyacrylates Containing Branched Alkyl Chains

In this study, colloidal crystal (CC) films with visible light reflection were successfully fabricated by casting the suspension of silica particles surface-modified with poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) (PEHA) chains on the surface of glass substrate. The reflection peak wavelength could be easily tuned by changing the molecular weight of PEHA. Additionally, the CC films with visible reflection could be formed on the glass substrates owing to the intrinsic physical property of strong adhesion of PEHA. From these results, it was suggested that such PEHA-grafted silica particles can be practically used as the paintable color materials.