Abstract

Two different self-assembly techniques were used to successfully fabricate polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) colloidal crystals: vertical deposition by evaporation approach as well as a modified floating (i.e. air-water interface) approach. Also, temperature dependent study using the vertical deposition was conducted. PMMA colloidal crystals with monolayer were produced via the floating approach. When deposited multiple times, 3D double-layered as well as triple-layered colloidal crystals were successfully fabricated. Furthermore, an investigation of the photonic properties of the PMMA colloidal crystals was carried out. The results show that the crystals were opalescent when illuminated and also had a typical photonic stop band which lies in the visible region of the spectrum.