Preparation of a double-layer liquid crystal optical shutter with fluorescent properties and its ultraviolet shielding screening properties

Abstract

ABSTRACT Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films and polymer-stabilised cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLC) films have been widely applied in smart optoelectronics due to electrical switching properties. In this study, fluorescent dyes were introduced into PDLC films and combined with PSCLC films to invent a new type of optical shutter, and the optimal formulations of each of liquid crystal structural layers were investigated. Then, PDLC anti-counterfeit optical device doped with fluorescent materials were fabricated by UV curing method using polymerisation-induced phase separation. The novel optical shutter could be driven layer by layer at room temperature according to different voltages to realise the switching of three states, namely, off state, PDLC layer-driven, and full-driven (open state). Samples under optimal conditions showed that the new optical shutter could achieve 96.5% UV shielding in the off state and had a long lifetime. The results demonstrate the attractive potential of the new optical shutter for optoelectronic devices and smart curtain applications.