The influence of nematic liquid crystal content on the electro-optical properties of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal prepared with monodisperse liquid crystal microcapsules

Abstract

Highly monodisperse poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA)/liquid crystal (LC) microcapsules were prepared by the solute codiffusion method (SCM). In SCM, the solvency of the dispersion medium and the swelling temperature were controlled to ensure complete swelling of the LC into the PMMA substrate particles. After the solvent evaporation procedure, mononuclear LC domains were formed in every particle, and overall the LC microcapsules maintained a spherical shape, monodispersity and smooth surface. PDLC cells prepared using the LC microcapsules exhibited an excellent contrast ratio and transmittance. By increasing the LC content in these LC microcapsules, the electro-optical properties of PDLC cells have been greatly improved.