The synthesis of biophotonic crystals of insects, cubic crystalline single networks of chitin having large open-space lattices, requires the selective diffusion of monomers into only one of two non-intersecting water-channel networks embedded within the template, ordered smooth endoplasmic reticulum (OSER). Here we show that the topology of the circumferential bilayer of polymer cubosomes (PCs)-polymeric analogues to lipid cubic membranes and complex biological membranes-differentiate between two non-intersecting pore networks embedded in the cubic mesophase by sealing one network at the interface. Consequently, single networks having large lattice parameters (>240 nm) are synthesized by cross-linking of inorganic precursors within the open network of the PCs. Our results pave the way to create triply periodic structures of open-space lattices as photonic crystals and metamaterials without relying on complex multi-step fabrication. Our results also suggest a possible answer for how biophotonic single cubic networks are created, using OSER as templates.

中文翻译：

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用聚合物立方体模板合成具有大开放空间晶格的立方晶体单网络。

昆虫生物光子晶体，具有大的开放空间晶格的几丁质立方晶体单网络的合成，要求单体选择性扩散到模板中嵌入的两个不相交的水通道网络中的仅一个，有序的光滑内质网（OSER） ）。在这里，我们显示了聚合物立方体（PCs）的周向双层拓扑结构-聚合物类似物与脂质立方膜和复杂的生物膜-通过密封界面中间的一个网络，在嵌入立方中间相的两个不相交的孔隙网络之间进行区分。因此，通过在PC的开放网络内将无机前体进行交联，可以合成出具有较大晶格参数（> 240 nm）的单个网络。我们的结果为不依赖复杂的多步制造方法而创建开放空间晶格的三重周期性结构（如光子晶体和超材料）铺平了道路。我们的结果也为使用OSER作为模板创建生物光子单立方网络提供了可能的答案。