Organic opals: Properties and applications

Abstract

The potential of organic materials in the field of photonics, from polymeric to carbonaceous systems, can be enhanced by providing them with a submicrometer structuration. This can strongly affect light–matter interaction within the material, add structural color, or allow for a tailored porosity at the micro and nanoscale. The latter would pave the way for a number of applications ranging from biosensors to lithium-ion batteries. In this sense self-assembled artificial opals have been eagerly explored over the past two decades. In the present chapter we provide a comprehensive account on the state of the art of artificial opals made from organic materials. After introducing the main materials used in the field we describe the properties, both structural and optical, of organic opals which makes them highly relevant from the point of view of applications. Finally, we list a number of potential uses which are being currently explored for these materials in different fields.