Structural colors of fabric from Ag/TiO2 composite films prepared by magnetron sputtering deposition

Purpose Structural color is more brilliant in color, more resistant to sunshine and will not fade away with time, and more environmental friendly than traditional dyes and pigments. The purpose of this paper is to prepare structural colors of fabrics coated with Ag/TiO 2 composite films by magnetron sputtering, and analyze the relationship between the colors and the thicknesses of TiO 2 films in Ag/TiO 2 composite films. Design/methodology/approach Preparation of Ag/TiO 2 composite films by magnetron sputtering and their deposition on textiles were investigated. The chemical compositions and surface morphology of Ag/TiO 2 composite films were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the structural color of fabric coated with Ag/TiO 2 composite film was also analyzed. Findings Ag/TiO 2 composite films deposited on textile substrate exhibited structural colors, and the bright colors could be adjusted and controlled by the thickness of TiO 2 thin films in Ag/TiO 2 composite films without any dyes or pigments. By comparing the results of theoretical calculation and experimental results, it was found that the creation of structural colors by the experiment was coincident to the colors by theoretical calculation according to the film interference principle. There was a linear relationship between the thickness of TiO 2 film and the wavelength of the structural color. Originality/value Compared to traditional coloration by dyes or pigments, the coloration of textile by structural color from Ag/TiO 2 composite films prepared by magnetron sputtering was very environmental friendly and simple without water consuming, time consuming and tedious work. Structural colors have great potential applications in textiles in place of traditional dyes and pigments. Furthermore, the textiles coated with Ag/TiO 2 composite films have good electrical, optical and magnetic properties, and can be used in apparel, home furnishings and industrial fabrics.