Preparation of triple-layer polymer dispersed liquid crystal films with progressive driving functionality

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this paper, three single-layer polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films with different electro-optical properties were prepared by the polymerisation-induced phase separation (PIPS) method firstly. The triple-layer PDLC film with progressive drive function was obtained by integrating three single-layer PDLC films. In contrast to the single-layer PDLC film, it is possible to make the triple-layer PDLC film enter the intermediate state between the on-state and off-state, while its transmittance can be controlled in low voltage by adjusting the applied voltage. It was found that the polymerisation temperature, time and UV intensity had significant effects on the electro-optical properties of the triple-layer PDLC films by comparing the electro-optical curves at various temperatures, times and UV intensities. The sample obtained under the optimal polymerisation condition showed a 31% reduction in threshold voltage, a 56% reduction in saturation voltage, a 20% reduction in off-state response time, and a 21% increase in contrast ratio than the original condition. The possibility to broaden the application area of PDLC is offered.