journal article·2026-01Open access

Industrial‐Grade Structural Coloration with Robust and Vivid TiON‐Based Structures

Md. Abdur Rahman, Darya Burak, Kwang‐Deok Choi, Nhung Vu Cam, John You En Chan, Joel K. W. Yang, So‐Hye Cho, Sang Hoon Kim, Ji Young Byun

Advanced Optical Materials· Volume 14· Issue 4

Abstract

Abstract A durable, high‐performance structural coloration approach is presented using TiON‐based Fabry‐Perot (F‐P) cavities. Conventional metal‐insulator‐metal structures suffer from oxidation and mechanical degradation, limiting their industrial viability. Here, the top metal layer is replaced with TiON, a lossy dielectric known for its corrosion resistance and high hardness. Fabricated TiON/Si 3 N 4 /metal structures achieve vivid, tunable colors across a broad spectrum while maintaining high stability. Their optical, mechanical, and environmental robustness is systematically evaluated through five‐year aging, humidity, and abrasion tests. Reflectance spectra confirm stable near‐perfect light absorption (>90%) with minimal color shifts (≈10 nm). Camera imaging, CIE chromaticity analysis, and SEM investigation validate long‐term color retention and stable surface morphology. The findings demonstrate that TiON‐based F‐P cavities offer a promising solution for industrial applications, overcoming key limitations of conventional structural color materials.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Pigment Synthesis and Properties · Corrosion Behavior and Inhibition · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Engineering Product Development Singapore University of Technology and Design Singapore 487372 Singapore

Extreme Materials Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology Seoul 02792 South Korea

Research Institute of Advanced Materials Seoul National University Seoul 08826 South Korea

Division of Nano & Information Technology University of Science and Technology Daejeon 34113 South Korea

KHU‐KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology Kyung Hee University Seoul 02447 South Korea

Funding

Korea Institute of Science and Technology

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