The investigation of molecular affinity involved in poly(ethylene glycol)-based polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display

Acrylic polyethylene glycol(PEG)-based polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films have been fabricated to investigate the effect of intermolecular interactions on PDLC performance. For this purpose, the amphiphilic liquid crystal and polymers are selected as PDLC composite materials. The acrylic PEG contents are varied from 0 to 66.66 mol wt.% in order to understand the effects of different levels of additions on the microstructure and electro-optical properties of the PDLC films. For this intention, polarized optical microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy are used. The extent of phase separation and anchoring energy are also examined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and contact angle measurements in consequence of acrylic PEG addition. The contrast ratio, threshold voltage, as well as saturation voltage, tended to increase with the addition of acrylic PEG. The molecular affinity involved in the polymer matrix and LC molecules affected the phase separation which is responsible for the formation of domain size; this accordingly changed the electro-optical properties of PDLC film.