Near-Infrared Light Induced Dynamic Structural Color Change of Amorphous Photonic Hydrogel

Light-induced photonic systems are rare in nature and usually lack a full color response in artificial systems. Herein, we first report a near-infrared (NIR) light controlled optical hydrogel; its structural color covers the full visible spectrum range. The hydrogel was fabricated by embedding dry thermoresponsive microgels film into a thermoresponsive hydrogel. Under the synergistic effect of the microgels and hydrogel, the hydrogel displayed a dynamic color with temperature changing, and it was reversible. Moreover, the structural colors were angle independent for the amorphous microgel arrays. When carbon nanotubes were integrated into the matrix hydrogel, dynamic structural colors can be displayed under NIR irradiation. Such NIR light- responsive photonic hydrogel film may provide potential applications in artificial skin, the military, and other fields.

Automated summary

The near-infrared light-controlled optical hydrogel reported in this study covers the full visible spectrum range, displaying dynamic color changes with temperature variations and exhibiting reversibility. Integration of carbon nanotubes allows for dynamic structural color display under NIR irradiation, offering potential applications in various fields.