The kinetics and morphology of polymer dispersed liquid crystals by doped crylic acid

Abstract It is widely appreciated that electro‐optical activity in polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) depends on phase separation of polymer and liquid crystals (LCs). The morphology of the LCs domains depends on the detail of the chemical and physical processes active during the formation of domains. This work discusses two‐phase morphology in an acrylate‐based system that developed during polymerization induced phase separation. UV/VIS spectrometer is used for monitoring the polymerization of the PDLCs by real‐time scattering. The doped crylic acid accelerated the speed of polymerization. The electro‐optical properties of PDLCs films are measured by Polarimeter (PerkinElmer Model 341). The lower threshold voltage was obtained by doped crylic acid at suitable ratio. The polarizing optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared image system are used for depicting the morphology of LC droplets in polymer matrix. The sizes and dispersion of LC droplets were influenced by doped crylic acid which accelerated the speed of polymerization. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers