Phase separation dynamics of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal

Phase separation dynamics of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal

Phase separation in a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), consisting of a main chain liquid crystal (E7) and polymethyl methacryhte (PMMA), was studied by means of light scattering and optical microscopy. The PMMAm mixture exhibits an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), overlapping with a nematic-isotropic transition of the E7 liquid crystal. Several temperature quenches were under...

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elastomers

The need for mechanical manipulation during the curing of conventional liquid crystal elastomers diminishes their applicability in the field of shape-programmable soft materials and future applications in additive manufacturing. Here we report on polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elastomers, novel composite materials that eliminate this difficulty. Their thermal shape memory anisotropy is imprin...

Pinning effect on the phase separation dynamics of thin polymer-dispersed liquid crystals.

The surface pining effects on phase separation dynamics of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) with thin cell gaps are demonstrated. Comparing various boundary conditions, the inner surfaces of the substrates with or without polyimide layers [but no rubbing] cannot provide enough anchoring force, so in either case the liquid crystal (LC) droplets flow and coalesce to form larger and less ...

Polymerization-induced phase separation in a liquid-crystal-polymer mixture.

Nanoparticle-doped polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) represent an important new class of materials for optical device applications. Their valuable advantages such as low operating voltage, high contrast ratio, requiring no extra optical elements (i.e. polarizer), quick electrooptical response, no leakage of materials, simple fabrication, low-cost production and ease of processing make them more popular ov...