Effect of surface modification of SiO2@TiO2 core–shell particles on the structural colour under an electric field

Surface modified colloidal SiO2@TiO2 core–shell particles were chosen to study their responsive photonic properties and the effect of surface on structural colour under low electric field. The surface of SiO2@TiO2 core–shell particles was controllably coated by PDDA, PVA and SiO2. A corresponding colloidal suspension of the modified SiO2@TiO2 showed completely different reflection spectra. The dielectric spectrum was employed to explain the effect of surface properties on the assembly.