Effects of oxygen heterocyclic acrylate monomers on the morphologies and electro-optical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal composite films

The current work aimed to fabricate polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films using heterocyclic acrylate monomers containing oxygen atoms. The incorporation of oxygen heterocycles into the host polymer matrix significantly improved the electro-optical properties of PDLC films. Particularly, the high contrast ratio 330.0 was realized for the monomer Trimethylolpropane formal acrylate (TFA). Further, the excellent electro-optical properties, including low driving voltage (10.0 V), moderately high contrast ratio (64.0) and short response time (<8.0 ms) were obtained when the liquid crystals/polymer composite film thickness decreased from 20 mu m to 8 mu m. This work has provided a novel materials system to promote the application of PDLC films in the thin-layer liquid crystal display.

Automated summary

This study aimed to improve the electro-optical properties of PDLC films by incorporating oxygen heterocycles into the host polymer matrix. By decreasing the thickness of the liquid crystals/polymer composite film, excellent electro-optical properties were achieved, promoting the application of PDLC films in thin-layer liquid crystal displays.