Stable and scalable smart window based on polymer stabilized liquid crystals |
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| Authors: | Xiaowen Hu Xinmin Zhang Wenmin Yang Xiao-Fang Jiang Xinshuai Jiang Laurens T de Haan Dong Yuan Wei Zhao Nan Zheng Mingliang Jin Lingling Shui Albertus P H J Schenning Guofu Zhou |
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| Affiliation: | 1. SCNU-TUE Joint Lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM) and National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006 People's Republic of China;2. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006 People's Republic of China;3. State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 People's Republic of China;4. Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;5. SCNU-TUE Joint Lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM) and National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006 People's Republic of China
Shenzhen Guohua Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, 518110 People's Republic of China |
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| Abstract: | A stable and scalable polymer-stabilized liquid crystal window which electrically switches from transparent to opaque has been fabricated. Scanning electron microscope measurement shows that higher polymer concentration will induce denser polymer network in polymer stabilized liquid crystal system and then stronger anchoring force between polymer network and liquid crystal molecules, which resulting in larger operating voltage. The cell with larger cell gap has a lower saturated transmittance in the voltage-on state, which attributed to a larger number of scattering domains in thick cell. The optimized cell exhibits a highly transparent voltage-off state (3.5% haze) and a voltage-on scattering state (98% haze) with the threshold voltage of around 20 V. The durability test shows that the optical device switches at least 100,000 times without degradation of optical contrast and shows a high temperature tolerance. Meanwhile, a 40 × 50 cm2 window has been developed in an industrial production line showing the same optical properties. Our results demonstrate the fabrication of smart windows with a highly transparent rest state and high optical contrast on a commercial mass production scale, making them attractive for applications in buildings, automobiles, and switchable sunglasses for light management and potentially energy saving. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48917. |
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| Keywords: | applications liquid crystals optical properties |
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