Osmotic-pressure-controlled concentration of colloidal particles in thin-shelled capsules

Shin-Hyun Kim (), Jin-Gyu Park, Tae Min Choi, Vinothan N. Manoharan and David A. Weitz ()
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Shin-Hyun Kim: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Jin-Gyu Park: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Tae Min Choi: KAIST
Vinothan N. Manoharan: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University
David A. Weitz: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Colloidal crystals are promising structures for photonic applications requiring dynamic control over optical properties. However, for ease of processing and reconfigurability, the crystals should be encapsulated to form ‘ink’ capsules rather than confined in a thin film. Here we demonstrate a class of encapsulated colloidal photonic structures whose optical properties can be controlled through osmotic pressure. The ordering and separation of the particles within the microfluidically created capsules can be tuned by changing the colloidal concentration through osmotic pressure-induced control of the size of the individual capsules, modulating photonic stop band. The rubber capsules exhibit a reversible change in the diffracted colour, depending on osmotic pressure, a property we call osmochromaticity. The high encapsulation efficiency and capsule uniformity of this microfluidic approach, combined with the highly reconfigurable shapes and the broad control over photonic properties, make this class of structures particularly suitable for photonic applications such as electronic inks and reflective displays.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4068

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