Effects of the methacrylate monomers with different end groups on the morphologies, electro-optical and mechanical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystals composite films

In this work, the effects of the methacrylate monomers with various end groups (methyl, hydroxyl, epoxy, tetrahydrofuran, cyclohexane, benzene and siloxane) on the morphologies, electro-optical and mechanical properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) composite films were systematically investigated. The polymer network morphologies of the samples prepared with the monomers butyl methacrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate or benzyl methacrylate were observed, and interestingly the polymer balls and polymer ball-networks morphologies were formed by introducing the hydroxypropyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate, respectively. Meanwhile, the films obtained the optimal electro-optical properties with low driving voltage (10.7 V), fast response time (5.0 ms). Finally, the largest shearing force of the prepared PDLC composite films was two to three times better than that of the pristine sample with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TPMA) monomer doping or surface treatment methods. Thus, this work offers a new way to optimise the overall performance of PDLC films for practical applications.