Regulation and control of polymer network deformation in reverse-mode polymer-stabilised cholesteric texture

ABSTRACT

By simulating the dynamic response processes of reverse-mode polymer-stabilised cholesteric texture (PSCT) via double exponential rise/decay model, the deformation of polymer networks were quantitatively characterised. The polymer network deformation is shown to be controlled by regulating monomer concentration and the applied electric field. Increased monomer concentration facilitates the production of polymer fibrils of a higher polymer molecular weight while suppressing distortion of the polymer network. Decreased polymer network deformation assists in the decrease of the undesired hysteresis phenomenon while also demonstrating a shorter field-off response time of PSCT; however, the trade-off is increased operation voltage and decreased contrast ratio. The observed results provide useful guidelines for future PSCT material and device optimisations.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Polymer-stabilised cholesteric texture
• polymer network deformation
• electro-optical properties
• hysteresis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National High Technology Research and Development Program of China: [Grant Number 2012AA011901]; National Natural Science Foundation of China: [Grant Numbers 61107014, 51573036]; and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University: [Grant Number NCET-12-0839].