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

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs), comprised of submicron-sized LC droplets embedded in a continuous polymer matrix, have been the subject of interest for scientists and manufacturers owing to their promise for optoelectronic applications. Recently, many research works have made significant progress in improving performance, developing new operation modes, and expanding the application fields for PDLCs. In this review, recent advancements in the research work for performance optimization, novel operation modes, and application developments of PDLCs are overviewed. The working principle and the general fabrication procedure of PDLCs with different modes are first briefly explored. Then, the recent research developments performed in the preparation, experimental investigation, and applications of PDLCs are summarized systematically. Eventually, the challenge and future improvement are also discussed.