"Nanotechnology and nanomaterials"

Nano-sized PDLCs
R.Karapinar1
1 Burdur M.Akif Ersoy University, Nanophysics and Nanotechnology Department,. Burdur-15030, Turkey.
E-mail: rkarapinar@mehmetakif.edu.tr

The Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) technology is the promising research area and there are new developments in this field [1]. These novel materials show great potential for application in displays. PDLC materials are comprised of a polymer matrix sandwiched between two conductive transparent glass or plastic substrates. Nano-sized LC droplets are dispersed in this polymer matrix. In the absence of electrical voltage, LC molecules have a random arrangement and incident light rays are strongly scattered by the droplets. Thus, PDLC film appears turbid. When the voltage is applied, LC molecules align along the optic axis and film becomes transparent. Thus the PDLCs can be controlled by an external applied field. The PDLC technology is the subject of both academic and industrial fields [2]. These switchable PDLCs can be used as privacy and reflective displays.

1.	H. Hakemi, Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal technology industrial evolution and current market situation. Liquid Crystals Today 26:3, (2017)
2.	L. Marin and R. Karapinar, Polymer dispersed liquid crystal design, Multiphase Polymer Systems: Micro- to Nanostructural Evolution in Advanced Technologies, Edited by A.I. Barzic, S. Ioan, Taylor & Francis, CRC Press, (2016).