Iridescent photonic cellulose, mimicking the structural color of insects, with optical applications

The bright colors of some butterflies, beetles or birds are not due to the presence of pigments that selectively absorb light, but due to the so-called structural coloration. Structural coloration occurs on surfaces with a nanostructure with dimensions similar to those of the wavelength of the incident light (typically below the micron). These ordered nanostructures are known as photonic crystals. There is a great interest in providing cellulose, the most abundant polymer in earth, biocompatible and biogradable, with these structures, which can offer new optical and electric functionalities.