Eloise Van Hooijdonk

Functionalization of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes

Summary This review focuses and summarizes recent studies on the functionalization of carbon nanotubes oriented perpendicularly to their substrate, so-called vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs). The intrinsic properties of individual nanotubes make the VA-CNTs ideal candidates for integration in a wide range of devices, and many potential applications have been envisaged. These applications can benefit from the unidirectional alignment of the nanotubes, the large surface area, the high carbon purity, the outstanding electrical conductivity, and the uniformly long length. However, practical uses of VA-CNTs are limited by their surface characteristics, which must be often modified in order to meet the specificity of each particular application. The proposed approaches are based on the chemical modifications of the surface by functionalization (grafting of functional chemical groups, decoration with metal particles or wrapping of polymers) to bring new properties or to improve the interactions between the VA-CNTs and their environment while maintaining the alignment of CNTs.

Anomalous moiré pattern of graphene investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy: Evidence of graphene growth on oxidized Cu(111)

The growth of graphene on oriented (111) copper films has been achieved by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition. The structural properties of as-produced graphene have been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. Anomalous moiré superstructures composed of well-defined linear periodic modulations have been observed. We report here on comprehensive and detailed studies of these particular moiré patterns present in the graphene topography revealing that, in certain conditions, the growth can occur on the oxygen-induced reconstructed copper surface and not directly on the oriented (111) copper film as expected.

Liquid-induced colour change in a beetle: the concept of a photonic cell.

The structural colour of male Hoplia coerulea beetles is notable for changing from blue to green upon contact with water. In fact, reversible changes in both colour and fluorescence are induced in this beetle by various liquids, although the mechanism has never been fully explained. Changes enacted by water are much faster than those by ethanol, in spite of ethanol’s more rapid spread across the elytral surface. Moreover, the beetle’s photonic structure is enclosed by a thin scale envelope preventing direct contact with the liquid. Here, we note the presence of sodium, potassium and calcium salts in the scale material that mediate the penetration of liquid through putative micropores. The result leads to the novel concept of a “photonic cell”: namely, a biocompatible photonic structure that is encased by a permeable envelope which mediates liquid-induced colour changes in that photonic structure. Engineered photonic cells dispersed in culture media could revolutionize the monitoring of cell-metabolism.

Bi-functional photonic structure in the Papilio nireus (Papilionidae): modeling by scattering-matrix optical simulations.

Scales of the Papilio nireus combine fluorophores confined in a natural photonic structure. By means of numerical simulations based on the scattering-matrix formalism, we reveal the bi-functional optical role of this peculiar architecture. Two aspects are considered: the absorption of an incident light flux and the emission of another luminous flux. First, results highlight a light trapping effect and a light absorption increase in the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared ranges. Then, results highlight an enhanced fluorescence occurring in the spatial as well as in the frequency domain. This observation could be of great interest to design new optical devices.

Angular dependence of structural fluorescent emission from the scales of the male butterfly Troïdes magellanus (Papilionidae)

This paper reveals an enhanced fluorescence in the hindwings of the male Troides magellanus, due to the confinement of fluorophores in a three-dimensional photonic structure. It is characterized by a spatial variation of the emission intensity and coloration. It also reveals the role of the structure on the emission and reflection complementary processes. We focus on the experimental analysis of these phenomena by means of a morphological study, a reflection characterization, and an emission characterization. Collecting and analyzing data over every emerging direction was important in this work. A theoretical approach is proposed to explain the experimental observations.

Controlled fluorescence in a beetle’s photonic structure and its sensitivity to environmentally induced changes

The scales covering the elytra of the male Hoplia coerulea beetle contain fluorophores embedded within a porous photonic structure. The photonic structure controls both insect colour (reflected light) and fluorescence emission. Herein, the effects of water-induced changes on the fluorescence emission from the beetle were investigated. The fluorescence emission peak wavelength was observed to blue-shift on water immersion of the elytra whereas its reflectance peak wavelength was observed to red-shift. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements, together with optical simulations, confirmed that the radiative emission is controlled by a naturally engineered photonic bandgap while the elytra are in the dry state, whereas non-radiative relaxation pathways dominate the emission response of wet elytra.

Bio-inspired approach of the fluorescence emission properties in the scarabaeid beetle Hoplia coerulea (Coleoptera): Modeling by transfer-matrix optical simulations

Scales of the scarabaeid beetle Hoplia coerulea (Coleoptera) contain fluorescent molecules embedded in a multilayer structure. The consequence of this source confinement is a modification of the fluorescence properties, i.e., an enhancement or inhibition of the emission of certain wavelengths. In this work, we propose a bio-inspired approach to this problem. In other words, we use numerical simulations based on the one-dimensional transfer-matrix formalism to investigate the influence of a Hoplia-like system on emission characteristics and, from the results, we deduce potential technical applications. We reveal that depending on the choice of some parameters (layer thickness, dielectric constant, and position of the emitting source in the structure), it is possible to enhance or inhibit the fluorescence emission for certain wavelengths. This observation could be of great interest to design new optical devices in the field of optoelectronic, solar cells, biosensors, etc.

Contribution of both the upperside and the underside of the wing on the iridescence in the male butterfly Troïdes magellanus (Papilionidae)

Until now, the existing literature suggests that the color effects on the butterflies wings come from the scales exposed to an outside observer. The particularity of the present work lies in the consideration of both sides of a wing. The male Troides magellanus concentrates on its hindwings distinct but complementary optical effects contributing to its exceptional visual attraction: (i) a uniform yellow coloration under daylight, (ii) a bright glint showing bluish or greenish hues under grazing illumination and observation, and (iii) the presence of fluorescent molecules, producing a yellow-green coloration when irradiated by ultraviolet light, embedded in a three-dimensional photonic structure. Our experimental examination reveals a decomposition of the visual aspect in terms of a pigmentary, a structural, and a fluorescent component, as well as a contribution of the scales of the upperside and the underside of the wing on this observation. Our results highlight the role of the scales photonic structure—...