The role of nanomesh fibres loaded with fluorescent materials on the electro-optical performance of PDLC devices

ABSTRACT

In this paper, polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were prepared from a mixture of prepolymer, liquid crystal and phosphor-loaded reticular nanofibres films by a polymerisation-induced phase separation (PIPS) process. By comparing the microstructure and electro-optical curves of samples with different ratios of monomer types and liquid crystal contents, it was demonstrated that the cavity size of the polymer network had a significant effect on the electro-optical properties of the PDLC films. Reticular nanofibres films loaded with different phosphor contents were introduced into the liquid crystal mixture samples and the changes in the polymer network, electro-optical and fluorescence properties of these samples were analysed using SEM images, electro-optical curves and fluorescence curves. The electro-optical and fluorescence properties as well as the fluorescence properties of reticulated nanofibres films doped with PDLCs loaded with fluorescent materials were found to be improved and the anti-ageing properties are also greatly increased. Therefore, the development of meshed nanofiber membrane-doped PDLC films with faster response time, better optoelectronic properties, and better fluorescence properties will greatly improve the applications of PDLC-based devices in smart windows, sensors, energy efficiency and Potential technical applications in flexible devices.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Polymer-Dispersed liquid crystals
• nanofibres doping
• fluorescent material
• electro-Optical performance
• fluorescent brightening

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant No. 52173263, 21203135], Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shanxi Province of China (Program No.2021JM-531, No.2021GY-205), Scientific research fund for high-level talents of Xijing University [No. XJ21B04 and No. XJ21B02], the Youth Innovation Team of Shanxi Universities, the Science and Technology Projects of Suzhou City [SYG202025].