Design of Dynamic Structural Color Materials Based on the Christiansen Effect: From Classical Particle Suspensions to Smart Polymer Composites

The Christiansen effect, owing to its unique wavelength-selective scattering characteristics, exhibits significant application potential in fields such as optical modulation, biomimetic structural coloration, sensing and smart windows, and is gradually transitioning from theoretical research to functional material development. Here, we review the latest research progress of Christiansen structural color materials, from fundamental physical mechanisms to multidimensional dynamic regulation. It focuses on comparing fluidic platforms dominated by compositional and thermodynamic control, as well as solid-state architectures including rigid composite materials, open-framework infiltration and in situ component locking strategies, revealing the limitations and advantages of different physical morphologies in terms of material stability and functional integration. On this basis, the review delves into multidimensional color-tuning strategies based on the Christiansen effect, covering both the molecular structural changes and the modulation of physical fields, including electric, thermal, and optical fields. Finally, the review provides an interdisciplinary research perspective, discussing the application of the generalized refractive index matching mechanism in biological tissue transparency and industrial device integration, and outlines the future development direction of Christiansen structural colors from fundamental property regulation toward high-performance, integrated devices.