TiO₂ doped polymer dispersed and stabilised liquid crystal smart film with high contrast ratio, low driving voltage and short response time

ABSTRACT

Due to the switchability between transparent and light-scattering states, polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) are widely used as smart windows, flexible display devices, projectors and other devices. In this work, we propose a new composite system containing TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs), liquid crystals and polymer that have low driving voltage, high contrast ratio (CR) and quick response ability. Distinguishing from the traditional PDLC system, the coexisting structure of vertically oriented polymer fibres (VOPFs) inside the porous polymer matrix was constructed and the TiO₂ nanoparticle (NP) after functionalisation was introduced. It was found that the introduction of an appropriate amount of functionalised TiO₂ NPs can effectively improve the electro-optical properties of the composite system. This new system provides a new idea for solving the compatibility problem of inorganic particles and organic matter.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Polymer-dispersed and stabilised liquid crystal
• nanocomposite
• TiO₂
• electrooptical properties

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2020YFE0100200, 2019YFC1904702) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51903004, 52073028).