Black and purple metal-like lustrous films from anion-doped poly(3-alkoxyselenophene) dyes

Abstract

Materials that exhibit metallic luster without containing metals are promising alternatives to existing metallic paints and coatings. In this study, we successfully synthesized four types of anion-doped poly(3-alkoxyselenophene) and used them to develop metal-free metal-like lustrous films. By employing polyselenophene, we achieved the expression of luxurious glossy colors such as black and purple, which were difficult to obtain with previously reported polythiophene-based materials. The developed films were thoroughly investigated through reflectance spectroscopy, colorimetry, gloss measurements, and XRD analysis. The glossy colors exhibited by the polyselenophene films are suggested to arise from a well-balanced presence of face-on and edge-on lamellar crystals within the coated films, in addition to the optical properties of the polymer itself. The developed metal-like lustrous films do not contain any metals, being highly promising for applications in essential everyday items such as writing instruments, cosmetics, anti-counterfeiting inks, and automotive paints.

Graphical abstract: Black and purple metal-like lustrous films from anion-doped poly(3-alkoxyselenophene) dyes

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 Nov 2024
Accepted
28 Mar 2025
First published
09 Apr 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Appl. Polym., 2025, Advance Article

Black and purple metal-like lustrous films from anion-doped poly(3-alkoxyselenophene) dyes

S. Tsukada, M. Doi, K. Nogami and K. Hoshino, RSC Appl. Polym., 2025, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D4LP00338A

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