The effect of polymerizable surfactants on morphology and electro-optical of PDLCs films based on epoxy acrylate system

Polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) have been extensively studied for various excellent electro-optical applications. The anchoring interaction of liquid crystals (LCs) molecules on the surface of the polymer cavity surrounding an LCs droplet has a crucial effect on the electro-optical performance of the PDLCs. The effect of polymerizable surfactants on the electro-optical properties of PDLCs films was studied in detail. The active double bonds were polymerized with prepolymer to stabilize the performance of polymer matrix. The experimental results showed that polymerizable surfactants could effectively reduce the driving voltage. The speed of polymerization was monitored by real-time transmittance. The electro-optical properties of PDLC films were measured by Polarimeter (PerkinElmer Model 341). The driving electric field was reduced from 3.9 V/μm to about 2.8 V/μm for doping undec-10-enoic acid at curing temperature 80?°C. The surfactants containing polymerizable functional groups, polarity, and alkyl chain weakened the surface anchoring between LCs droplets and polymer interface. The morphologies of PDLCs films were also investigated by polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) images. The LC droplets were encapsulated by polymerizable surfactant according to FTIR images.