Development of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals: From mode innovation to applications

Zhang, Huimin; Miao, Zongcheng; Shen, Wenbo

doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2022.107234

Cited by 57 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 234 publications

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“…It is relevant to note that in ion-conducting PNLCCs considered here (consisting of NLC molecules included in polymers) the ion transport and the mechanism of ion-conductivity enhancement through dispersed NLC molecules is different from that in polymer–NLCs composites whose structure at microscopic and/or macroscopic levels is more complex, e.g., in PDLCs, where droplets (micro- or nanosized larger than 100 nm) of fluid NLCs are within the polymer matrix. At a relatively low concentration of the dispersed molecules of the NLCs confined in PEO, at room temperature and if their alignment is beforehand achieved (see Section ), a local pathway for the ion migration in the former case may be the nanosurfaces of the aligned NLC molecules (those from them that are coupled to the polymer chains) or between them (Figure b).…”

Section: Key Characteristics Of Ion-conducting Pnlccsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Polymer/nematic liquid-crystal composites (PNLCCs) are materials that enable combining the responsive characteristics of NLCs with the ion-conducting and film-forming properties as well as mechanical strength of polymers, e.g., synthetic polymers. The most prominent exemplarities from this class of multifunctional materials are the dispersions of NLCs in polymers, forming materials with two separated phasesthe so-called PDLCs where well-formed micro- or nanosized NLC droplets take place as captured/capsulated within a solid polymer matrix. ,, The dispersion of NLCs in polymers can also form guest–host molecular systems, blends, or other types of complex materials. , …”

Section: Ion-conducting Pnlccs: Structural Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The nanoconfinement of NLCs into the bulk of PNLCCs and the chaotic coupling of the NLC molecules to the 3D polymer network due to dipole–dipole interactions strongly restrict the orientational order and impede the NLC orientation by an external electromagnetic field. Remember, the field-driven orientation effect is the physical mechanism of the operation of the PDLC electro-optical films. − , The simple control of the optical transparency of the PDLC devices by an applied electric field with relatively low voltage is based on the field-induced orientation of the NLC molecules in the droplets (where the NLC material is in a fluidlike state) dispersed/disposed in the bulk of PDLCs. Such alignment of NLC electrical dipoles happens due to the dielectric anisotropy (Δε a ) of the NLC molecules in the droplets.…”

Section: Ion-conducting Pnlccs: Structural Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PDLCs comprise micrometer- and submicrometer-sized NLC droplets in a continuous polymer matrix. PDLC electro-optical thin films are currently employed for smart glasses, 3D displays, and tunable optical modulators, in flexible soft-matter photonics, diffractive and adaptive optics, lasers, sensors applications, and biomedical devices, for advanced anticounterfeiting, and in augmented and virtual reality, among others. − Besides PDLCs, another type of polymer/LC composite has been developedthe polymer-stabilized LC (PSLC). ,, In contrast to PDLCs in which both the polymer and the LC phases are separated, in PSLCs a small amount of cross-linked polymer is dispersed in a continuous LC phase, and the LCs and polymer form an interpenetrating three-dimensional structure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 2 − 6 Besides PDLCs, another type of polymer/LC composite has been developed—the polymer-stabilized LC (PSLC). 2 , 3 , 6 In contrast to PDLCs in which both the polymer and the LC phases are separated, in PSLCs a small amount of cross-linked polymer is dispersed in a continuous LC phase, and the LCs and polymer form an interpenetrating three-dimensional structure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ion-Conducting Composites of Polymers and Nematic Liquid Crystals

Hadjichristov

2023

ACS Omega

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In the present mini-review are discussed the findings reported in the last five years on the ion-conducting composites of polymers and molecules of nematic liquid crystals (NLCs), as well as their applications at present and in the future. Nowadays, free-standing and flexible thin films of such organic composite electrolytes synthesized from plastics and nematic soft matter are among the technically important materials and components for use in energy storage and conversion devices and in organic soft electronics, sensorics, and mechatronics. Although the physicochemical mechanisms and effects in the ionconducting polymer/NLCs composites are well understood, the possibility to find additional ways for improving their electrical conductivity and dielectric and mechanical properties is a challenge. The efforts in this research direction are important for the development of novel ion-conductor materials and further diversification of their applications. This mini-review is focused on the key characteristics of ion-conducting polymer/NLCs composites and the new trends in their fabrication. With relevant examples, the vast research opportunities, some proposed improvements, and the creative ideas associated with these advanced materials and their intelligent use are outlined.

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Section: Key Characteristics Of Ion-conducting Pnlccsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ion-conducting Pnlccs: Structural Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ion-conducting Pnlccs: Structural Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ion-Conducting Composites of Polymers and Nematic Liquid Crystals

Hadjichristov

2023

ACS Omega

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Recent Progress in Functional Dye‐Doped Liquid Crystal Devices

Shen

Zhang

Miao

et al. 2022

Adv Funct Materials

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As a typical representative of dopants, organic functional dyes have demonstrated their significant roles in novel smart liquid crystal (LC) devices, and dye-doped LCs have also been a source of inspiration for scientists to design and fabricate stimuli-gated materials or devices for envisioned applications in a wide range of areas. In this review, the focus on dichroic dyes, fluorescent dyes, and photothermal dyes, and the recent progress of the LC devices employing these dyes as dopants are overviewed. The review highlights the developments of the novel LC devices doped with these dyes. The structures, designs, and applications of these devices are outlined. The underlying principles of dichroic dyes, fluorescent dyes, and photothermal dyes which are utilized as functional dopants in LC devices are first introduced. Subsequently, the novel developments of functional dye-doped LC devices in the application fields of smart windows, attenuators for augmented reality (AR) systems, color-changeable textiles, dichroic color filters, dual-mode circular polarizers, chirality detectors, optical limiters, switchable luminescent solar concentrators, multiple information encryption, anti-counterfeiting, photo-addressed transparent displays, circularly polarized luminescence, tunable lasers, and light-driven soft actuators are discussed. Finally, the challenge and the strategies for the future improvement of dye-doped LC devices are also discussed.

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Ion‐Conducting Non‐Flammable Liquid Crystal–Polymer Composites for High‐Frequency Soft Actuators

Liu

Cao

Yoshio

2023

Adv Funct Materials

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High‐frequency actuators are reported based on non‐flammable lithium‐ion conducting phosphate liquid crystal–polymer composite electrolytes, which exhibit a bending response at frequencies up to 80 Hz under an AC voltage of 2 V, owing to its high ionic conductivity reaching 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature. An equimolar complex of a phosphate‐containing mesogenic molecule and lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide through the ion‐dipole interactions induced a room‐temperature smectic A liquid‐crystalline (LC) phase forming 2D ion‐transport pathways comprising the 2D array of the phosphate moieties. A blend of 80 wt% LC electrolyte and 20 wt% polymers (poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene)) formed a flexible, mechanically robust LC–polymer composite film. Scanning electron microscopy and white light interference microscopy revealed a microphase‐segregated structure consisting of a continuous LC phase and a porous polymer matrix. In addition, the continuity of porous structure across the film is confirmed by permeation experiments of solvents thorough the membrane with a homemade filter in a dead‐end filtration mode. The LC–polymer composite film sandwiched between two poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonic acid) electrodes is found to simultaneously exhibit high bending strain (0.63%) and high output force (0.35 mN), owing to the high ion migration into the composite electrolyte and electrode.

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Development of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals: From mode innovation to applications

Cited by 57 publications

References 234 publications

Ion-Conducting Composites of Polymers and Nematic Liquid Crystals

Ion-Conducting Composites of Polymers and Nematic Liquid Crystals

Recent Progress in Functional Dye‐Doped Liquid Crystal Devices

Ion‐Conducting Non‐Flammable Liquid Crystal–Polymer Composites for High‐Frequency Soft Actuators

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