Additive Solution-Processed Structural Colors

A method of forming a structural color metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) component, the method comprising:

• forming a first metal layer over a treated surface of a substrate by a first electroless deposition process by contacting a surface of the treated substrate with a first plating bath, wherein the first metal layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of:
• copper, aluminum, silver, titanium, manganese, iron, cobalt, gold, nickel, zinc, alloys, and combinations thereof;
• depositing a dielectric layer over the first metal layer by a sol-gel process;
• and
• forming a second metal layer over the dielectric layer by a second electroless deposition process by contacting the dielectric layer with a second plating bath having a pH of greater than or equal to about 6.5 to less than or equal to about 7.5, wherein the second metal layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of:
• copper, aluminum, silver, titanium, manganese, iron, cobalt, gold, nickel, zinc, alloys, and combinations thereof.