Journal article
Vivid Structural Coloration in Transparent MXene-Cellulose Nanocrystals Composite Films
Advanced functional materials, v 35(24), 2420853
19 Jun 2025
Abstract
We demonstrate shear-printed layered photonic films with vivid structural coloration from bio-derived cellulose nanocrystals and highly aligned Ti3C2Tx MXene nanoflakes. These ultrathin films (700-1500 nm) show high light transmittance above 40% in the visible range. In reflectance mode, however, the films appear vividly colored and iridescent due to the multiple distinct photonic bandgaps in the visible and near-infrared ranges, which are rarely observed in CNC composites. The structural coloration is controlled by the stacking of MXene nanoscale-thin layers separated by the thicker cellulose nanocrystals matrix, as confirmed by photonic simulations. The unique combination of distinctly different optical appearances in transmittance and reflectance modes occurs in films printed with just a few layers. This is because of the molecularly smooth interfaces and the high refractive contrast between bio-based and inorganic phases, which result in a concurrence of constructive and destructive interference. These lamellar biophotonic films open the possibilities for advanced radiative cooling, camouflaging, multifunctional capacitors, and optical filtration applications, while the cellulose nanocrystals matrix strengthens their flexibility, robustness, and facilitates sustainability.
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Details
- Title
- Vivid Structural Coloration in Transparent MXene-Cellulose Nanocrystals Composite Films
- Creators
- Botyo Dimitrov - Georgia Institute of TechnologyValeriia Poliukhova - Georgia Institute of TechnologyClaire Joo - Georgia Institute of TechnologyMadeline Buxton - Georgia Institute of TechnologyIrina Roslyk - Drexel UniversityYury Gogotsi - Drexel UniversityJacob Crossno - Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseKirt A. Page - Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseHilmar Koerner - Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseDhriti Nepal - Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseMichael E. Mcconney - Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseTimothy J. Bunning - Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseVladimir V. Tsukruk - Georgia Institute of Technology
- Publication Details
- Advanced functional materials, v 35(24), 2420853
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- FA 8650-22-D5803; NSF-CBET 2202907 / Air Force Research Laboratory FA9550-23-1-0641 / Fulbright Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational Exchange, Air Force Office for Scientific Research; United States Department of Defense; Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001402378300001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85215708190
- Other Identifier
- 991022024210904721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
- Chemistry, Physical
- Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
- Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
- Physics, Applied
- Physics, Condensed Matter