Aggregation Structure and Electro—Optical Properties of (Liquid Crystalline Polymer)/(Low Molecular Weight Liquid Crystal) Composite System

Abstract

ABSTRACTA series of thin films composed of liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) and low molecular weight liquid crystal (LMWLC) was prepared by a solventcasting method or by a bar—coating method. LCPs were of mesogenic side chain type with strong or weak polar terminalgroups in the side chain portion. A mixture of smectic LCP (LCP with side chain of strong polar end) and nematic LMWLC formed a smectic phase in a LCP weight fraction range above 50 %. Also, a mixture of nematic LCP (LCP with side chain of weak polar end) and nematic LMWLC with strong polar group induced a new smectic phase in a LCP molar fraction range of 20–80 %. Reversible and bistable electro-optical effects based on light scattering were recognized for a smectic phase of a binary composite composed of LCP and LMWLC. A light scattering state caused by many fragmented smectic lamellae appeared in the case of application of an a.c. electric field below a threshold frequency (∼l Hz). Furthermore, application of a 100 Vp—p a.c. field of 1 kHz made the transmission light intensity increased to 94 % within a few seconds. The optical heterogeneity in asmectic layer composed of the side chain group of LCP was caused by the difference of twoforces based on both dielectric anisotropy of the side chain and electrohydrodynamic motion of the main chain. Since application of a low frequency electric field causes an ioniccurrent throughout the mixture film, it is reasonable to consider that an induced turbulent flow of main chains by an ionic current collapsed a fairly well organized large smectic layer into many small fragments, resulting in an increase in light scattering. The response speed of LCP upon application of an electric field increased remarkably by mixingLMWLC. In the case of a smectic mesophase, turbid and transparent states remained unchanged as it was, even though after removing an electric field.1Such abistable and reversiblelight switching driven by two different frequencies of electric field could be newly realized by both characteristics of turbulent effect of a wellorganized large smectic layer of LCP and rapid response of LMWLC. We believe that the LCP/LMWLC mixture system is promissing as a novel type of “light valve” exhibiting memory effect (bistable light switching).