Abstract:

Using the natural intricate and delicate structures in biology as templates, i.e. biotemplation, the artificial analogue could be fabricated for improving the properties of novel materials. The green wing scales of the butterfly Papilio epiphorbas with intricate two dimensional photonic crystal (2D PhC) structure were adopted as templates to fabricate the 2D PhC Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor through the aqueous sol-gel method. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) demonstrated that the biomimetic Y2O3:Eu3+ could well duplicate the 2D PhC structure of butterfly scales. Emission spectra of the biomimetic Y2O3:Eu3+ tested via Laser-focused Raman microspectrometer confirmed that Eu3+ was efficiently dopped into the Y2O3 matrix and the target biomimetic material was obtained. The experimental contrast of fabrication routes with aqueous solgel precursor and water solution precursor indicated the advantages of the aqueous sol-gel method in fabricating delicate materials through biotemplation and thus could provide significant reference.

Key words: biotemplation, aqueous sol-gel, Y2O3:Eu3+, butterfly, photonic crystal, biomimetic