Fabrication of Tunable Polystyrene Photonic Crystal Using

GCNU Journal ISSN: 1858-6228م 1/6/2016 (19ع)،(5مج)جامعة النيلين - مجلة الدراسات العليا

171

Fabrication of Tunable Polystyrene Photonic Crystal Using

Gum Arabic via Foam Reaction

Mubarak Mohammed Ahmed1, Hatim Mohammed Elkhair1,2

1Physics Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, Alneelain University

2College of Science, Imam Muhammad Ibin Saud Islamic University, KSA

Abstract

Polystyrene(PS)/ZnO/Gum Arabic photonic crystals, prepared by foam

reaction had exhibited tunable photonic band gap as being detected by

optical transmission experiments with slight shift as shown by the

transmission spectra ,such tunability might be attributed to the effect

formation caused by PS/ZnO volume fraction .

Keyword: Tunable Polystyrene Photonic crystals, Gum Arabic (GA), Polystyrene

colloidal crystal, Foam Reaction, Foam agent.

Introduction:

Photonic crystals (PCs) are inhomogeneous dielectric media with periodic

variation of the refractive index; photonic crystals have a photonic band gap,

which is the range of frequencies in which light cannot propagate through the

structure. Photonic crystals reflect light with a certain wavelength by the so

called photonic band gap effect. Because of this property photonic crystals can

be applied to various optical devices, for example beam splitter [1,2], micro

lasers resonators [3,4] etc.

Many fabrication methods, such as stacking by micromanipulation [5] and

layer by layer lithography [6-8] were studied by several groups, but these

methods have some difficulty in fabricating multi-layers and consume much


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time. Thus, the self assembly method [9] which is easier and simpler than

other methods has been widely studied. In this work self assembly was used,

because fabricating of photonic crystal need special material laboratory; but by

this method it can be done at any simple laboratory. Self assembly of colloidal

particles gives rise to an opal structure. The photonic crystals band structure

mainly depends on the lattice constants and the refractive indices of the

dielectrics. Some practical schemes have been reported that are based on the

concept of changing the lattice constants. Mechanically tunable photonic

crystals have been fabricated using elastic spheres, where the band gap can be

controlled by an external mechanical force [10], control of the spatial structure

has also been realized by taking advantage of the volume phase transition of

hydro-gels, where the photonic crystals band gap structure have been tuned

by controlling the temperature, the PH and ionic states [11-13]. In addition,

control of the photonic band structure has been also realized by utilized the

phase transition of colloidal crystal in solution, where the propagation of light

is forbidden, and can be tuned by using light [14]. These techniques have

disadvantaged that makes a structural change of these types on order of

micrometer dimensions magnitude, which resulting in difficulties in practical

applications. The techniques using nano-gels are proposed to resolve such a

problem [15] for that reason this work deal with Gum Arabic uses as hydro gel.

A colloidal particle are important in abroad range of technologies and in

processing of various materials including foods, ink, paints coating, cosmetic

and materials experimentally due to the variety of potential applications

afforded by the control of light propagation, including uses in optical

computing and telecommunication [16]. Researchers have taken two

approaches to construct a photo elastic material possesses a photonic band

gap material: the first is lithographic technologies similar to that used in

microelectronics manufacture, and the second is colloidal self-assembly of

spherical particles [17].

The self-assembly approach is promising due to its simplicity and low cost, but

colloidal crystals are three-dimensional periodic lattices assembled from

mono-dispersed spherical colloids, the beautiful and attractive iridescence

(opalescence) of natural opals, which diffract visible or near- infrared light. The

periodic structures have been actively explored as functional components in


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fabricating new types of diffractive devices such as filters and switches [18],

smart optical sensors [19] and photonic band gap structures [20].

Photonic crystals are fabricated using many materials. Traditional methods

such as lithography for fabrication of photonic crystals are expensive and

tedious, particularly for the photonic crystals that can be operated in the

optical frequencies such as visible and ultra violet (UV) region [18]. A number

of methods to obtain colloidal crystals on planar substrate have been reported

recently such as gravitational, sedimentation, physical confinement,

electrophoretic deposition, centrifugation, withdrawal and vertical deposition.

Benefited from the micro/nano fabrication technology; such as focused on

two-dimensional photonic crystal slabs [21-24]. There are still many studies on

the visible [25] and near infra-red [26] three dimensional photonic crystals,

these photonic crystals can be fabricated by hydro-dynamic flow method [27]

vertical deposition method, optical holography and so on. Among these

methods of fabricating 3D photonic crystal, the vertical deposition method is

more accepted due to the advantages of a lower cost and rapid production.

vertical deposition method has attracted great interest because it has

remarkable advantages over common self-assembly methods, such as gravity

sedimentation methods [28]. It is difficult to control the fabrication process of

photonic crystals in the sedimentation methods. Therefore, there are

numerous defects in photonic crystals [29]. In this work polymer material

which is polystyrene used to fabricate two dimension (2D), three dimension

(3D) opal photonic crystal due to the foam reaction for convective and

temperature gradient for polystyrene spherical beads, Gum Arabic is used as

stabilizer or emulsifier and bubbles size stabilizer during the reaction, Gum

Arabic possess a good chemical, mechanical properties and good bio-

compatibility [16]. Filling the voids of opal photonic crystal can change the

position of band gap of photonic crystal. Liu Ye ,et al (2008) synthesis the band

gap control in 3D polystyrene photonic crystal by vertical deposition .The

vertical deposition method is based on previous work by Nagayama and co-

workers in which the formation of colloidal mono-layers was studied the

cleaning substrate, and it was kept in vial containing aqueous solution of nano-

spheres, the vial temperature controlled in oven at 50oC for 4-5 days, for the

crystal growth polystyrene float on the water surface as the result lead to slow


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evaporation of water, polystyrene form self-assembled ordered layers on the

glass substrate [29] .

Choloong and co- workers (2009) was fabricated photonic crystal by using a

flow controlled vertical deposition (FCVD) method, they replaced peristaltic

pump with just an open hole at the bottom of the beaker. The optimum

surface drop velocity of polystyrene suspension for photonic crystal structure

with uniform surface [30].

Liu Ye et. al. (2008) fabricated 3D polystyrene opal photonic crystal by vertical

deposition method, a cleaning micro slides was dipped vertically into the vial

containing a colloidal suspension consist of polystyrene and de-ionized water.

The vial covered with a plastic film perforated with few holes to allow gases to

escape, the vial container kept in an oven with the constant temperature and

humidity. A. Chiappini and co-workers

(2009) used a simple and effective method based on spin coating technique

was developing to realize colloidal photonic crystal structure. The process

produces compact of 3D arrays of polystyrene micro-spheres opals [31], this

process offers the ability to rapidly form of 3D photonic crystal, using an

inexpensive instruments [32]. P. Nozar et. al (2003) studied the results of a

colloidal crystal growth by vertical deposition of nano-polystyrene beads on a

glass substrate under oscillatory shear [37], this technique was enable to study

early stage of growth of films as a function of a bead concentration in the

water suspension [33].

Hu Xiao-Yong et. al.(2004) they fabricated 3D polystyrene photonic crystal

using vertical deposition method. The fabrication of 3D photonic crystal using

this technique has attracted great interesting researcher; because it has

remarkable advantage over the common self-assembly methods: such as the

gravity sedimentation method, they also used polystyrene and water in a vial

controlled by covering the vial with plastic has holes in oven at 50 oC under

controlled temperature, they achieved high quality 3D photonic crystal [34]. A.

Yoyama and co- workers (2002) used Gum Tragacanth (GT), they found that GT

colloid was stabilized polystyrene latex particles due to the steric stabilization

mechanism, and this depends on PH of the solution [35].

In our work, Gum Arabic is used due to the foam reaction which is

exothermic reaction, for convective and temperature gradient for


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polystyrene beads, as to float up as bottom -up technique, the cleaning

substrate glass dipped vertically in the vial at room temperature. Polystyrene

was charged by sulfonation method, this sulfonation of polystyrene is used

by sulfuric acid in standard method for introduction strongly acidic cation

exchanging groups, and this reaction is simple in the case of cross-linking

copolymer styrene divinylbenzene particles used for production common ion

exchanger. Kucera and Jancar, because of the presence of relatively –SO3H

groups ,cross-linking reaction between the molecules of the sulfonated

produced occur [36], then polystyrene opal photonic crystal was fabricated,

the optical properties are studied , polystyrene have become an essential

part of modern science and technology; From simple plastic materials to

foam, liquid crystals and photonic materials renewable resources. Here in this

work a method for making thin films, inform of foam reaction due to the

colloidal of polystyrene latex to make self-assemble arrays of colloidal crystal

on glass substrate immersed vertically in vial container at room temperature.

Gum Arabic is used due to its characterizations, which are: high stabilizing

and emulsifying effect, and prevent the separation of heterogeneous

mixtures, as well as prevents the precipitation of insoluble particles [37].

Experimental Details:

Specific weight of polystyrene latex was dissolved in acetone as chosen

solvent. The solution subjected to a continuous steering. Then hydrogen

peroxide is added as a foam agent and followed by Zn++ solution, after white

foam was obtained; The PH of the reaction was chosen such that the foam

will continue rising. Glass slide ware cleaned by well known route ,the glass

slides ware immersed at tilting angle and kept for a few, then removed and

dried .After drying we detect the formation of Bragg reflections. The samples

ware collected and characterized by transmission spectra experiment using

1240 UV-Vis absorption spectra –photometer.

When the colloidal of polystyrene was putted in conical flask during the foam

reaction, after one day opal of polystyrene was made around the top neck of

the flask. For fabricating thin film, cleaning glass substrate is immersed in the

vial container at room temperature, from 2-4 days the opal polystyrene

photonic crystals are fabricated on this slides. Ultra Violet (UV-Vis)

spectrometer is used so as to study the transmission spectra.


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Results and Discussion:

Polystyrene/Gum Arabic Photonic crystal has been fabricated; the

characterizations of the fabricated photonic crystals are studied by

transmission spectra. When the structures of the Photonic crystals are

depend on volume fraction, and the concentration of the solvent, here in our

work, the concentration of polystyrene colloidal crystal is decreased, as to

study the tunability of the wavelengths, and to achieve shift in photonic

crystal band gap for suitable applications in these regions. Firstly, when

hydrogen peroxide is used as foaming agent, with decreasing polystyrene

colloidal crystal as shown in figures 1,2,3,4 and 5 the wavelengths tuned from

242.7 nm to 347.9 nm. Secondly when Sodium peroxide is used as foaming

agent the transmission is increased, and the wavelength is shifted to longer

wavelength 303.6 nm. In comparing spectra of polystyrene photonic crystal

that fabricated by using hydrogen peroxide have a good quality, this means

the particles of polystyrene is mono-dispersed and the size of the foam have

the same sizes (mono-dispersive). In spectra of figure (6) and figure (7), it

shows that the increasing of transmission when the colloidal crystal

concentration of polystyrene is decreased and the full width at half maximum

is become narrower; this may be attributed to the thermodynamic of the

system. The free energy is small in low concentration suspension of

polystyrene colloidal crystal. In our work from sample two to seven the

wavelengths are in the ultraviolet (UV) region (150-350nm), in this region

only a few experimental and theoretical reports have recently been

demonstrated to exhibit the signature of photonic crystals [38], which have

many applications including the laser applications, the perfect mirror, optical

communications, eye protection, etc…according to reference [38], because of

the high absorption coefficients and unstable dielectric constants under

prolonged irradiation with UV and visible light. In this work we added Zn ion

and Gum Arabic this might be solved this problems, therefore we achieved

photonic crystals in this important region, which have a special applications.

On the other hand application of photonic crystal as sensors which based on

structural colors tuned by external physical or chemical stimuli through the

manipulation, therefore adding Zn ion changes the geometrical structure of

photonic crystals hydro gel, and thus causing diffraction wavelength shift has


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been depicted in reference [39]. This is what has been done in this paper to

acquire tunable photonic crystal in main region for specific applications.

Conclusions: Polystyrene/Gum Arabic photonic crystal is fabricated by foam

reaction for polystyrene/Gum Arabic for the first time by using this new

technique, to acquire tunable photonic band gap which is found as foam

agent and foam structure depends, this supported by materials science

research laboratory of Al -Neelain university.


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300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

Tra

nsm

itta

nce

%

Wavelength(nm)

Figure (1): Sample one spectra of polystyrene /Gum Arabic Photonic crystal

wavelength at 347.9nm

250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800

75

80

85

90

95

100

Tra

nsm

itte

nce

%

Wavelength(nm)

Figure (2) Sample two wavelength at 302.5nm


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300 400 500 600 700 800

20

25

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55

60

65

70

Tra

nsm

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nce

AWavelength(nm)

Figure (3) Sample three wavelengths at 242.7nm

300 400 500 600 700 800 900

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80

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100

105

Tra

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itte

nce

%

Wavelength(nm)

Figure (4) Sample four wavelength at 301.1nm


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100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

30

35

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Tra

nsm

itta

nce

)

wavelength (nm)

Figure (5) Sample five wavelength at300.4nm

300 350 400 450 500

80

90

100

Tra

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Wavelength (nm)

Figure (6) Sample six transmission wavelength at 296.6nm


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300 400 500

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90

100

Tra

nsm

itta

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%

Wavelenth ()nm

Figure (7) Sample seven wavelength at 297.4nm

In sample (6) and sample (7) sodium Peroxide is used as foam agent,

comparing these with sample (5) which is fabricated by using hydrogen

peroxide.


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Table 1:Show the samples of polystyrene /Gum Arabic photonic crystal ,

wavelengths are shifted due to the change in PH of polystyrene colloidal crystal

concentration, by changing in acid and Zn++

Sample N. Wavelength(nm)

Sample one 347.9

Sample two 303.5

Sample three 242.7

Sample four 301.1

Sample five 300.4

Sample six 296.6

Sample seven 297.4

Documents

Fabrication of Tunable Polystyrene Photonic Crystal Using