Dual-band dynamically compatible stealth: Infrared modulation and visible camouflage based on carbon nanotubes

Carbon-based mid-infrared electrochromic materials demonstrate outstanding infrared regulation capabilities but possess strong visible light absorption that restricts their multispectral applications. While chemical pigment coloration offers partial solutions for carbon nanotube films, the required light-colored substrates introduce thick interfacial layers that hinder infrared transmission to a great extent. This study develops two parallel material strategies using SiO2 and ZnO to achieve structural coloration without substrate dependency. SiO2 photonic crystals were prepared with controlled average particle sizes (105.25 nm, 241.29 nm, 292.38 nm) by Sto<spacing diaeresis>ber method, while ZnO layers of specific thicknesses (200 +/- 20 nm, 400 +/- 20 nm, 800 +/- 20 nm) are deposited by magnetron sputtering. Both approaches enable tunable visible color through distinct mechanisms- SiO2 via photonic bandgap engineering and ZnO through thin-film interference effects, while infrared emissivity modulation ability is better preserved. The colored carbon nanotube film has a maximum infrared emissivity modulation width of 0.358, demonstrating excellent residual modulation capability. This work paves the way for the advanced visible and infrared dual-band camouflage applications through tailored photonic structures and interfacial layer engineering.