Development of structural colored cotton fabric via the layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembling of SiO2 nanoparticles

SiO 2 nanoparticles were synthesized by the Stober method. Their diameters were finely tuned from 250 to 580 nm by varying the NH 3 ·H 2 O and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) concentrations. SiO 2 particles with different diameters were assembled onto the surface of cotton fabric via the layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembling method to achieve structural colored fabrics. The surface morphologies of the synthesized SiO 2 particles and structural colored cotton fabrics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition of SiO 2 particles was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The thermal properties and color properties of structural color fabrics were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis, UV reflectance spectroscopy and spectrophotometer.