Adhesive polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films

Abstract

An adhesive polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film with low cohesive strength is formed by the solvent- and polymerization-induced phase separation of PlatSil Gel-10 and nematic liquid crystal 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB). We find that the director configuration of the dispersed 5CB droplets is sensitive to the nature of the surface in contact with the adhesive PDLC film. When the adhesive PDLC film is placed on a rubbed polyimide film, the dispersed 5CB droplets show a parallel configuration. While on 3M Scotch tape, the dispersed 5CB droplets switch to a vertical configuration. The cohesive mechanical failure of the adhesive PDLC film allows us to repeatedly print a thin PDLC film into structural and orientational patterns on substrates.