Intelligent switchable nanomaterials doped optical switches with PDLC-PVA-PSCLC bilayer liquid crystal structure for smart windows

ABSTRACT

Due to the ability to switch between transparent and light scattering states, polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) and polymer stabilised cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLC) are widely used in smart windows and flexible displays. A novel double-layer optical switch fabricated from a PDLC-PVA-PSCLC structure has been developed in this study, and the optimal formulation of each layer of the structure was investigated. In addition, the effect of adding (spin-coating) nanoparticles on overall switch performance was investigated. The double-layer switch under optimal conditions achieved 89.1% UV shielding, which also possessed excellent layer-by-layer driving performance and was able to modulate the UV shielding rate according to the voltage, with a tunable range of 74.83%-94.33%. Consequently, this optical device holds great promise for significant improvement and application in smart windows and flexible displays.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Polymer dispersed liquid crystal
• cholesteric liquid crystal
• nanoparticle
• smart window

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education [No.22JP100]; Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China [No. 2024JC-YBMS-342]; Xi’an Science and Technology Plan Project of Shaanxi Province [No. 23LLRH0008]; Youth Innovation Team of Shaanxi Universities.