Brush block co-polymers have been the subject of academic research for more than 15 years due to their structural modularity and ability to provide a wide range of material properties. Assembled into photonic crystals, brush block co-polymers have demonstrated utility in creating coatings with ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared reflectivity, radar transparency, the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of performance coatings by up to 50%,1 and reduced toxicity when compared to other coloration techniques such as pigments and dyes. Only recently has one company, Cypris Materials, set a course to launch a structural color co-polymer based on this unique technology in early 2024.
Structural color is a unique phenomenon that doesn't rely on pigments or dyes to impart coloration to a surface. It emerges from the interaction of light with the physical structure of an object, like microscopic layers or patterns. This phenomenon can be found in nature, such as the peacock feather shown in Figure 1, and has inspired scientists to develop innovative materials and technologies harnessing the unique optical properties.