Effect of macro-RAFT agent on the morphology of polymer dispersed liquid crystals

Abstract

In this study, macro-(RAFT) reversible additional fragmental chain transfer agent prepared by reversible additional fragmental chain transfer polymerisation has been incorporated into polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs). The effects of concentration, molecular weight and glass transition temperature of macro-RAFT agent were studied in terms of morphology, polymerisation kinetics, molecular weight of polymer matrix and electro-optical properties of the films. It was found that the key factor influencing morphology was the mobility of macro-RAFT agent chain rather than polymerisation rate and molecular weight of polymer matrix. Furthermore, the decrease in the mobility of macro-RAFT agent chain caused less liquid crystal nematic fraction, smaller liquid crystal domain size and greater driving voltage.

Keywords:

• morphology
• macro-RAFT agent
• mobility
• PDLC

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 50973067, 51173115], the Ministry of Education [the Foundation for PhD training, grant number 20110181110030] of China and the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, State Education Ministry, and Science [number 20071108-18-12].