Investigation of electro-optical properties in bistable liquid crystal films doped with Cs_xWO₃ nanorods

ABSTRACT

It is of great practical significance to develop efficient and reversible bistable liquid crystal films. This work provides a multiple phase-shift controllable liquid crystal film containing tungsten bronze (Cs_xWO₃) nanorods (NRs) and cholesteric liquid crystal, which can reversibly control the phase-shift via electric field, temperature or near infrared light. The Cs_xWO₃ NRs were coated by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) layer, and the Cs_xWO₃/PVP NRs could form a compatible NIR-absorbing film, which could generate heat to switch LC film from planar texture to focal conic texture. The bistable liquid crystal film could save almost 53% time at thermal elimination compared to LC mixture without NIR absorbent when the content of Cs_xWO₃/PVP NRs reaches 0.8%. The functional bistable liquid crystal films reported in this paper expand the application field of bistable liquid crystal display.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Bistable liquid crystal
• nanorods
• NIR absorbent
• selective reflection

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China [No.2021JM-536, 2021GY-205], Scientific research fund for high-level talents of Xijing University [No.XJ21B04, XJ21B02], Scientific research fund of Xijing University [No.XJ210201] and the Youth Innovation Team of Shaanxi Universities.