Versatile Fabrication of Intact Three‐Dimensional Metallic Butterfly Wing Scales with Hierarchical Sub‐micrometer Structures

Abstract

Spread your wings: Surface functionalization of butterfly wing scales and subsequent electroless deposition of different metals produces metallic replicas with 3D sub-micrometer structures (see picture). This approach converts complicated natural 3D bioorganic structures into various otherwise unavailable metal structures with optical, electronic, magnetic, thermal, or catalytic applications.