Liquid crystal/polymer composites for energy-efficient smart windows with a wide working temperature range and low off-axis haze

As a type of intelligent dimming film, polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films show attractive application prospects in field of smart windows. However, their current performance cannot meet the requirement of outdoor window applications, especially in severe conditions, such as poor shielding effect at high temperatures, delayed response at low temperatures and high off-axis haze. To simultaneously solve these problems, a PDLC film was prepared by optimizing the structure of acrylate crosslinking agent and birefringence of LC, which exhibits good shielding effects and contrast ratio (10) at high temperature of 100 °C, short rise time (0.16 s) and decay time (2.4 s) at low temperature of −30 °C, and a satisfying low off-axis haze (on-state haze <10 % at ±45°, on-state transmittance >65 % at ±60°). This study provides meaningful supplements for the application of PDLC film in outdoor smart windows, especially in automotive smart windows under extreme weather conditions.