Centimeter-scale, low-cost plasmonic structural color device prepared by AAO template method

Plasmonic structural color generated by the interaction between light and plasmonic nanostructures has emerged as a promising approach for color printing. However, achieving full color and large-scale plasmonic color printing device with a convenient and low-cost way remains a challenge. To circumvent this constraint, we propose to fabricate a centimeter-scale plasmonic color printing device based on anodic aluminum oxide template and vacuum evaporation technology. The plasmonic structure consists of Ag nanoparticle array on Al substrate. By controlling the thickness of evaporating Ag layer and the annealing temperature, a wide range of color palettes has been achieved. Furthermore, this device can be rewritable and reused based on its temperature sensitivity. This unique characteristic may have great potential in various applications such as anti-counterfeiting labels, plasmonic color printing, data encryption, and sensors.