IMMOBILIZED COLLOIDAL CRYSTAL AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

Immobilized colloidal crystals in which the three-dimensional regularity of configuration of fine particles is sufficiently maintained and which are mechanically stable. The immobilized colloidal crystals are ones which are obtained by dispersing colloidal particles in a solvent containing a polymerizable substance to obtain a dispersion in which the colloidal crystals are regularly arranged and polymerizing the polymerizable substance to thereby immobilize the crystals while maintaining the regular arrangement of the fine particles and in which any adjacent fine particles are not substantially in contact with each other. The difference in peak position in a reflection or transmission spectrum between the crystals before the polymerization and those after the polymerization is preferably 3 nm or smaller. The weight loss of the crystals through heating from room temperature to 350°C is preferably 1 wt.% or less.