Role of BaTiO3 nanoparticles on electro-optic performance of epoxy-resin-based PDLC devices

The physical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) can be tuned as per the application requirement by controlling their composition ratio and microstructure. The addition of nanoparticles is the most convenient method to engineer the properties of PDLCs. This paper investigates the effects of barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticle doping on the morphology, electro-optic, and optical properties of PDLC films. The epoxy resins based PDLC films prepared by polymerisation induced phase separation via heat curing method are doped with BaTiO3 nanoparticle for the first time. The impact of BaTiO3 nanoparticle on the microstructure was studied using polarising optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electro-optic study reveals that the addition of BaTiO3 nanoparticle results in the reduction of rise time, threshold voltage, saturation voltage and enhancement in the contrast ratio. The doping also results in a decrement of the off-state transmittance curve and an increment in the UV-Visible absorption spectrum. The development of BaTiO3 doped PDLC films with faster rise time, lower threshold voltage, lower saturation voltage and better contrast ratio will significantly enhance the potential technological applications of PDLC-based devices for smart windows, sensors and flexible devices.

Automated summary

The physical properties of PDLC can be adjusted to meet application requirements by controlling composition ratio and microstructure. The addition of BaTiO3 nanoparticles enhances morphology, electro-optic properties, and optical properties of PDLC films, resulting in faster response time, lower threshold voltage, lower saturation voltage, and improved contrast ratio.