Reflectivity Spectra and Colors of Porous Anodic Aluminum Oxide Containing Silver Nanoparticles by Plasmonic Absorption

The reflectivity spectra and color of porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanostructures containing the assembly of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) with a diameter of ∼10 nm were investigated. The Ag NPs were assembled inside the pores of AAO with a diameter of ∼60 nm by dip-coating process during which Ag NPs adsorbed on the surface of AAO and driven inside the pores by capillary force upon the evaporation of solvent. The reflectivity spectra and associated colors of AAO with Ag NPs were determined by the plasmonic absorption of light by Ag NPs. Even with the monolayer coverage of Ag NPs in the pores of AAO, the reflectivity is significantly reduced specifically at ∼465 nm wavelength by a strong plasmonic absorption, resulting in its golden color. Aggregating Ag NPs by post-annealing at 300 and 400 °C changed the color to pink due to the red-shift of absorption. These results are indicative of potential color-engineering of NPs/AAO platform by wavelength-selective reduction of reflected light intensity and using it in direct optical read-out of change of surface and morphology conditions.