Flexible Latex Photonic Films with Tunable Structural Colors Templated by Cellulose Nanocrystals

Free-standing latex films were prepared by using CNCs as templates. The structural color of the latex film shows a reversible response to water adsorption and dehydration. The maximum elongation at break of the latex film reaches 34.5%, which is ∼8 times larger than that of the best film reported so far.