Investigation on Nano-structural color for fabric printing using silica Nanoparticles

Abstract

Structural color, inspired by naturally occurring optical phenomena, presents a sustainable and a novel pigmentfree alternative to conventional fabric coloration methods. This study investigates the fabrication of nano-structural color on polyester satin fabric using silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles synthesized via a modified Stober synthesis. The nanoparticles, with controlled diameters ranging from 100 to 400 nm, were allowed to self-assemble into photonic crystals through a gravity sedimentation technique. Different structural colors were achieved by varying the particle size, which was controlled by adjusting synthesis parameters. This study could achieve distinct structural colors such as red-orange, red-yellow, and blue with the particle diameter 385 nm, 313 nm, and 145 nm, respectively. In addition to color variation under different light sources, the structural colors exhibited angle-dependent behavior, where the perceived color changed with the viewing angle, confirming the iridescent nature of the coating. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images have shown the uniform distribution of the SiO2 nanoparticles while the selfassembly of photonic crystals through gravity sedimentation was achieved. These results demonstrate that visible structural color can be achieved within the 100–400 nm particle size range, indicating the feasibility of pigment-free, sustainable coloration for textile applications.