The formation of polystyrene (PS) sphere nanostructures through vertical deposition can provide large surface roughness, which effectively enhances the hydrophobicity of the films. Moreover, well-ordered PS sphere arrays bring about structural colors, which can be controlled through the sphere diameter. All the water contact angles of colloidal crystal films prepared from monodisperse PS sphere solutions with diameters from 225 to 605 nm were larger than 120 degrees, showing highly hydrophobic character. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.