In situ hydrothermal synthesis of polysiloxane@3D flower-like hollow Mg[sbnd]Al LDH microspheres with superior light diffusing properties for optical diffusers

Abstract

In this study, a highly efficient and simple in situ one-step hydrothermal process is demonstrated to synthesize the yolk-shell polysiloxane@3D flower-like hollow MgAl layered double hydroxides (LDH). The morphology analysis further confirmed its unique structure and the polysiloxane@3D flower-like hollow MgAl LDH was 2–3 μm in diameter with 100 nm shell thickness. Moreover, solvent-free UV curing process was employed to prepare the optical diffusers based on the polysiloxane@3D flower-like hollow MgAl LDH and the optical properties of the diffusers were investigated in detail. Interestingly, suitable light transmittance, good diffusion capacity, and low incident angle dependence can be achieved by the as-prepared films. Especially, when the concentration of the fillers was up to 15 wt%, the optical diffusers possessed superior diffusing properties. Therefore, this study may help to open up a new door in developing light scattering materials for the high-performance optical diffusers.