Dichroic Engineering from Invisible to Full Colors Using Plasmonics

Plasmonic nanoparticles serve as nonfading pigments for vibrant outdoor glasses and smart windows, offering vivid colors under sunlight with exceptional spatial resolution. However, simultaneously achieving the desired plasmonic coloration in both reflection and transmission with a full-color gamut remains a formidable challenge, especially when using a single fabrication method. Here, a facile physical triple co-deposition method to construct scalable plasmonic superstructures, optimal for dichroic color engineering is demonstrated. A key feature of such all-in-one plasmonic superstructures lies in extensive color performance in transmission and reflection modes, spanning from transparent invisibility to vivid full colors across the wavelength range of over 600 nm. This exceptional coloration fidelity stems from their 3D-stacked nanocomposite where plasmonic nanoparticles incorporate a random but uniform distribution within a glass matrix. Wafer-scale rich and dynamic color images useful for colorful data storage and steganography, as demonstrated through layer-by-layer color painting with combinatorial plasmonic superstructures are shown. Plasmonic nanocomposite superstructures are fabricated through a facile triple co-deposition process where the metal nanoparticles are incorporated within a glass matrix. The combinatorial engineering in their material composition and thickness offers extensive color performance in transmission and reflection modes, spanning from transparent to full colors, enabling wafer-scale rich and dynamic color images useful for colorful data storage and steganography. image