High Refractive Index Carbonized Polymer Dots Acting as Light Scattering Units in Nanocomposites for Full‐Screen Light Guide Plate

Abstract The full‐screen mobile phone can be fabricated by integrating the camera beneath the screen, which needs the nanocomposite light guide plate (nano‐LGP) with exceptional transparency and light‐guiding properties simultaneously. Choosing an appropriate nanoparticle with a high refractive index and exceptional compatibility within the polymer matrix is crucial for producing the nano‐LGP. In this study, the high refractive index carbonized polymer dots (HRI‐CPDs) are synthesized through the solvothermal treatment, achieving a refractive index value of 1.7220 at 450 nm. Subsequently, the modified HRI‐CPDs (mHRI‐CPDs)/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposites are fabricated by copolymerizing the mHRI‐CPDs with methyl methacrylate . Due to the high visible light transmittance and Rayleigh scattering characteristics when light passes through the nanocomposites, this kind of nanocomposites is suitable for serving as nano‐LGPs. The potential of carbonized polymer dots as light‐scattering unit is originally explored to improve surface illuminance and uniformity of nano‐LGPs. The best‐performing 4.3‐inch LGP with 1.0 wt.% doping content shows 15.8 times higher surface illuminance and 2.1 times higher uniformity than pure PMMA. This new type of LGP based on mHRI‐CPDs/PMMA nanocomposite holds tremendous promise in conjunction with advanced liquid crystal display technology.