Polyurethane acrylate‐stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal dispersions

Polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) have been fabricated based on various structures of polyurethane acrylate (PUA) as well as conventional acrylate polymer, namely poly(1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate). For PUA stabilized films, the transmittance spectra of cured films were essentially identical to those of uncured films, with no ‘dead’ reaction; whereas, using acrylate polymer; reflection greatly decreased upon curing and showed significant ‘dead’ reaction after the cessations of irradiation. The structure of PUA also had significant effects on the electro‐optic performance, and these effects are interpreted in terms of elasticity and interfacial interaction between the polymer and LC.