TA–Fe(III) complex coated PS nanospheres for non-iridescent structural coloration of cotton fabric

Photonic structures constructed from colloidal nanospheres present an attractive prospect for structural coloration in an ecological manner. However, the application of structural color in the field of textile coloration is usually blocked by their uncorrelated scattered light and feeble mechanical properties. Here, a non-iridescent structural color coating with high color saturation and mechanical stability is developed by assembling PS@TA–Fe(III) core–shell nanospheres. The rough surface and low surface charge are favorable for forming amorphous colloid arrays (ACAs) by restricting the crystalline alignment during the assembly process, resulting in non-iridescent structural colors. In addition, the as-prepared structurally colored cotton fabric possesses high color saturation and mechanical stability thanks to the intense light absorption and interface adhesion of the TA–Fe(III) shell. The preparation approach of this structural color coating is facile, low-cost, and environment-friendly, showing promising applications in textile coloration and smart displays.