Polymer Photonic Crystals Prepared by Triblock Copolymerization-induced in situ Microphase Separation

Polymer photonic crystals (PPCs) that selectively reflect visible light were prepared by triblock polymerization-induced in situ microphase separation via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The addition of homopolymer to the polymerization system swelled a specific phase of the microdomains, enabling the preparation of PPCs with long-wavelength structural colors. Small–angle neutron scattering confirmed the increase in the domain spacing of the lamellar microdomains with the addition of homopolymer, while maintaining their morphology.