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Review
Opals: Status and Prospects
Article first published online: 7 AUG 2009
DOI: 10.1002/anie.200900210
Copyright © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
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Additional Information
How to Cite
Marlow, F., Muldarisnur, Sharifi, P., Brinkmann, R. and Mendive, C. (2009), Opals: Status and Prospects. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 48: 6212–6233. doi: 10.1002/anie.200900210
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 AUG 2009
- Article first published online: 7 AUG 2009
- Manuscript Received: 13 JAN 2009
Funded by
- International Max Planck Research School SurMat
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- nanostructures;
- opals;
- photonic crystals;
- photophysics;
- self-assembly
Graphical Abstract
Like a rainbow: Owing to their periodic nature, which leads to opalescence, opals are a prototype for photonic crystals. Such crystals are formed by microstructuring or by self-assembly, as are opals. Self-assembly can lead to a number of defects that may make applications difficult but also lead to interesting functional properties.
Abstract
The beauty of opals results from a densely packed, highly ordered arrangement of silica spheres with a diameter of several hundred nanometers. Such ordered nanostructures are typical examples of materials called photonic crystals, which can be formed by known microstructuring methods and by self-assembly. Opals represent a self-assembly approach to these structured media; such an approach can lead to novel materials for photonics, photocatalysis, and other areas. Although self-assembly leads to many types of defects, resulting in the surprising and very individual appearance of natural opals, it causes also difficulties in technological applications of opal systems.