High-speed fabrication of 3-dimensional colloidal photonic crystal films by slide coating of polymer microspheres with continuous feeding of colloidal suspension

A simple, yet rapid fabrication method for large area colloidal crystal film is demonstrated. Aqueous colloidal dispersion sandwiched between a hydrophobic top cell and a hydrophilic bottom substrate formed a flat meniscus at the drying front, from which high quality colloidal crystal films were obtained within 20 min due to the strong capillary force exerted by accelerated water evaporation aided by hot air blowing. Continuous supply of the suspension enabled the fabrication of the colloidal crystal over large area (> 4 cm2) without significant loss of colloids.