Effects of Diverse Acrylates on the Electro-Optical Performance of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films

This study investigated the influence of different functional groups on the electro-optical properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films. Twelve acrylate monomers with functional groups like amino, halogen, and double-bond were introduced into PDLC films, and twelve samples were prepa...

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Main Authors: Nan Sun, Zuowei Zhang, Huai Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2284
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author Nan Sun
Zuowei Zhang
Huai Yang
author_facet Nan Sun
Zuowei Zhang
Huai Yang
author_sort Nan Sun
collection DOAJ
description This study investigated the influence of different functional groups on the electro-optical properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films. Twelve acrylate monomers with functional groups like amino, halogen, and double-bond were introduced into PDLC films, and twelve samples were prepared. The electro-optical properties and microstructure of the films were characterized. The results show that compared to films with amino and halogen groups, those with hydroxyl groups have the best balance of driving voltage and contrast, achieving higher contrast at lower driving voltage, making this preparation scheme ideal for low-voltage, high-contrast PDLC films. Also, in the presence of hydroxyl groups, introducing double bonds increases saturation voltage and decreases saturation. Hydrogen-bond engineering through strategically positioned hydroxyl groups in acrylate monomers optimizes PDLC performance by enabling compact polymer networks and controlled phase separation, achieving superior contrast ratios (163) and low saturation voltages (15.8 V), while amino groups induce steric limitations and dual-bond systems that disrupt hydrogen-bond efficacy, highlighting hydroxyl spatial design as critical for electro-optical optimization.
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series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-b9d6bdf82f824da798223bb9a066ccd42025-08-20T03:11:22ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-05-013011228410.3390/molecules30112284Effects of Diverse Acrylates on the Electro-Optical Performance of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal FilmsNan Sun0Zuowei Zhang1Huai Yang2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaInstitute for Advanced Materials and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaThis study investigated the influence of different functional groups on the electro-optical properties of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films. Twelve acrylate monomers with functional groups like amino, halogen, and double-bond were introduced into PDLC films, and twelve samples were prepared. The electro-optical properties and microstructure of the films were characterized. The results show that compared to films with amino and halogen groups, those with hydroxyl groups have the best balance of driving voltage and contrast, achieving higher contrast at lower driving voltage, making this preparation scheme ideal for low-voltage, high-contrast PDLC films. Also, in the presence of hydroxyl groups, introducing double bonds increases saturation voltage and decreases saturation. Hydrogen-bond engineering through strategically positioned hydroxyl groups in acrylate monomers optimizes PDLC performance by enabling compact polymer networks and controlled phase separation, achieving superior contrast ratios (163) and low saturation voltages (15.8 V), while amino groups induce steric limitations and dual-bond systems that disrupt hydrogen-bond efficacy, highlighting hydroxyl spatial design as critical for electro-optical optimization.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2284polymer-dispersed liquid crystalelectro-optical propertieshydroxyl functional groupdriving voltage
spellingShingle Nan Sun
Zuowei Zhang
Huai Yang
Effects of Diverse Acrylates on the Electro-Optical Performance of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films
Molecules
polymer-dispersed liquid crystal
electro-optical properties
hydroxyl functional group
driving voltage
title Effects of Diverse Acrylates on the Electro-Optical Performance of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films
title_full Effects of Diverse Acrylates on the Electro-Optical Performance of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films
title_fullStr Effects of Diverse Acrylates on the Electro-Optical Performance of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Diverse Acrylates on the Electro-Optical Performance of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films
title_short Effects of Diverse Acrylates on the Electro-Optical Performance of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films
title_sort effects of diverse acrylates on the electro optical performance of polymer dispersed liquid crystal films
topic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal
electro-optical properties
hydroxyl functional group
driving voltage
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2284
work_keys_str_mv AT nansun effectsofdiverseacrylatesontheelectroopticalperformanceofpolymerdispersedliquidcrystalfilms
AT zuoweizhang effectsofdiverseacrylatesontheelectroopticalperformanceofpolymerdispersedliquidcrystalfilms
AT huaiyang effectsofdiverseacrylatesontheelectroopticalperformanceofpolymerdispersedliquidcrystalfilms