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Abstract
In this study, surface active agents were used in the preparation of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) by temperature induced phase separation. The surfactants Tween 20, a mixture of long chain carboxylic acids, and oleic acid were used to stabilize the liquid crystal 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) in a poly(isobutyl methacrylate) matrix. The PDLCs formed using the surfactants exhibited more uniform particle sizes and greater particle size stability than comparable systems which contained no surfactant. The stabilized systems maintained their properties after being switched over 100,000 times. Also, the response to an applied electric field was shown to be faster for the stabilized PDLC systems.