The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Structurally colored nanomaterials, whose color originates from periodic modulation of refractive index rather than pigments, provide sustainable, nonfading optical signals. A chemoresponsive structural-color array is fabricated from three chemically distinct polymer nanopatterns and printed onto robust and flexible substrates while preserving periodicity for vivid coloration. Because each polymer has a different affinity to chemical environments, exposure induces polymer-specific swelling and ionization that perturb effective refractive index and periodic spacing, producing distinct color responses within one device. For immediate readability, text and graphics are inscribed on the colored patches after printing to visually indicate acid or base conditions. This scalable approach supports optical sensing, interactive labels, and adaptive surfaces where chemical stimuli translate into visible color changes. The format enables multichannel visual readout in a compact footprint.