Ahmed Abbas, Zhou Shuai, Yu Binhong, Li Tiantian, Bodin Josh N, Zeng Songshan, Jiang Xuesong, Sun Luyi
Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States.
School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Chem Rev. 2025 Jun 25;125(12):5626-5673. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00844. Epub 2025 Jun 9.
Tremendous progress has been achieved in comprehending the scientific principles governing nature and translating them into practical applications. Among the areas of interest within photonic systems, bioinspired color-tuning devices originating from physical structure modulation hold significant importance. This Review provides an overview of cutting-edge advancements in bioinspired structural color-tuning photonic devices across various applications. First, we delve into the origins, design principles, and fundamental physics underlying bioinspired structural color systems by showcasing diverse living species found in nature. Subsequently, we explore various photonic nano/microscale building blocks, including one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) structures, along with their fabrication techniques. Additionally, we present various biomimetic material systems and strategies for fabricating dynamic structural color devices. Furthermore, we discuss recent breakthroughs in biomimetic photonic systems across key application areas including sensing, interactive soft robotics, digital information encryption/decryption, dynamic displays, and energy. In summary, this Review provides a comprehensive analysis of bioinspired color-tuning photonic devices, shedding light on their intricate structure-function relationships, and aims to inspire the adoption and development of advanced color-tuning strategies. Finally, we address current challenges and offer insights into potential groundbreaking developments in the field of bioinspired optical materials.
