Investigation of vacuum-integrated switchable polymer dispersed liquid crystal glazing for smart window application for less energy-hungry building

The realization of multifunctional advanced displays with better electro-optical properties is especially crucial at present. However, conventional integral full drive-based transparent display is increasingly failing to meet the demands of the day. Herein, partitioned polymerization as a novel preparation method was introduced innovatively into polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) for realizing a step-driven display in agreement with fluorescent dye to solve the above drawback. At first, the utilization of fluorescent dye to endow the PDLC film with fluorescent properties resulted in a reduction in the saturation voltage of the PDLC from 39.7 V to 25.5 V and an increase in the contrast ratio from 58.4 to 96.6. Meanwhile, the experimental observations and theoretical considerations have elucidated that variation in microscopic pore size can significantly influence the electro-optical behavior of PDLC. Then, the step-driven PDLC film was fabricated through the exposure of different regions of the LC cell to different UV-light intensities, resulting in stepwise voltage–transmittance (V–T) responses of the PDLC film for the corresponding regions. Consequently, under appropriate driving voltages, the PDLC can realize three different states of total scattering, semi-transparent and total transparent, respectively. In addition, the PDLC film also embodied an outstanding anti-aging property and UV-shielding performance, which makes it fascinating for multifunctional advanced display applications.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation and Application of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Film with Step-Driven Display Capability

Lin,

Zhao,

Jiao

et al. 2024

“…Based on the above features, PDLC has been widely used in smart windows [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], displays [ 7 , 8 ], and optical switches [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Furthermore, PDLC is favored in low energy-consuming buildings [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], semiconductors [ 15 ], field-effect transistors [ 16 ], and solar concentrators [ 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation and Characterization of Bilayer Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals Doped with Gd2O3 Nanoparticles and Rhodamine B Base Fluorescent Dye

Wu,

Zhao,

et al. 2024

Using the polymerization-induced phase separation (PIPS) method, bilayer polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films with a PDLC-PVA-PDLC structure were prepared in this work. It was found that all PDLC performance indexes were affected by polymer mesh size after comparing the microscopic morphology and electro-optical properties of samples with different monomer ratios. Gd2O3 nanoparticles and rhodamine B base fluorescent dyes introduced into the bilayer PDLC optimized the samples’ electro-optical properties and developed new functionalities. In addition, the bilayer PDLC doped with Gd2O3 and rhodamine B base held excellent progressive driving functions as well as stable durability properties. Samples doped with Gd2O3 nanoparticles and rhodamine B base also produced excellent anti-counterfeiting effects under UV irradiation at different angles, further exploiting the application potential of PDLC.

“…Inspired by the application of PDLC in the display field, these materials have been rapidly developed in recent years. It has been expanded to other areas beyond displays [ 4 , 5 ] and smart windows [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ], such as anti-peep [ 10 ], quantum dot films [ 11 , 12 ], and switchable glazing [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. In addition, PDLC has been applied in other fields to obtain new composite materials, such as less-energy-hungry buildings [ 16 , 17 ], sensing [ 18 , 19 ], and energy storage [ 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation of Progressive Driving Bilayer Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals Possessing a PDLC-PVA-PDLC Structure

Wu,

Zhao,

Wang

2024

In this paper, the bilayer polymer-dispersed liquid crystals possessing a PDLC-PVA-PDLC structure were prepared by integrating two monolayer PDLCs. The effect of the polymer mesh size on the electro–optical properties of a bilayer PDLC was investigated by comparing the micro-morphology and electro–optical curves under different polymerization conditions. In addition, the impact of doping MoO2 nanoparticles with surface modification on the comprehensive performance of the bilayer PDLC was further researched. The contrast ratio of the bilayer PDLC prepared under the optimal conditions was improved by more than 90% and still maintained excellent progressive driving performance. Therefore, the development of a bilayer PDLC with optimal electro-optical properties will significantly enhance the technological prospects for the application of PDLC-based devices in smart windows, displays, and flexible devices.