Polymer-filled nematics: A new class of light-scattering materials for electro-optical switches

Abstract

A new class of mixtures of liquid crystalline (LC) materials and polymers, referred to as polymer-filled nematics, is presented. The blends consist of sub-micrometer, internally crosslinked polymeric particles dispersed in a continuous LC phase. They are prepared via a novel processing route that enables the possibility of controlling the morphology of the final blend with respect to the chemical and physical properties, the interfaces, and dimensions of both constituent phases. With their yield stress, they can be produced as thin layers using conventional coating processes. They exhibit hysteresis effects and their light scattering properties can be controlled by applying an electric field.