Molecular Motion Analysis of E7 in PDLCs as a Function of Droplet Size Using Solid-State 13C NMR Relaxation Spectroscopy

1993 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 942-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Buchert ◽  
Jack L. Koenig ◽  
Shi-Qing Wang ◽  
John L. West

13C NMR relaxation spectroscopy as applied to polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) provides a method for measuring the molecular motions of the liquid crystal molecules within droplets dispersed throughout the material's polymer matrix. Because liquid crystal molecular motion may play a major role in the switching phenomenon of PDLC materials from an opaque film to a clear film, both T1 and T1ρ relaxation experiments are used to measure molecular mobility of the liquid crystal as a function of droplet size for PDLC materials made of E7 and epoxy. The segmental molecular motions measured by T1ρ relaxation show a significant dependence on liquid crystal droplet size. Three models are provided which explain the observed restriction in segmental mobility of the liquid crystal molecules as the droplet size decreases and the polymer/liquid crystal interaction increases.

1993 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 933-941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Buchert ◽  
Jack L. Koenig ◽  
Shi-Qing Wang ◽  
John L. West

In samples of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs), submicron droplets of liquid crystal reside within a polymer matrix. By the use of the cross polarization technique for solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy, the NMR spectrum of the liquid crystal can be obtained without interference from the polymer spectrum, even though the two materials have some similar chemical structures. Both 13C T1 and 13C T1 ρ relaxation experiments were performed on a PDLC system of 5CB in epoxy as a function of 5CB domain size. The 13C T1 relaxation constants and the localized motions they measure showed no significant change over the liquid crystal domain size studied. However, the 13C T1 ρ relaxation constants and the segmental motions of molecules they measure revealed a significant change over the liquid crystal domain size studied. Therefore, the 13C T1 ρ values can be used to determine the change in mobility of the molecular segments of the SCB molecules resulting from increased interaction between the liquid crystal and the polymer matrix and to further understand the importance of the molecular motions of the liquid crystal in the switching phenomenon for PDLC materials.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 155-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doina Manaila Maximean ◽  
Octavian Danila ◽  
Pedro L Almeida ◽  
Constantin Paul Ganea

Electro-optical devices that work in a similar fashion as PDLCs (polymer-dispersed liquid crystals), produced from cellulose acetate (CA) electrospun fibers deposited onto indium tin oxide coated glass and a nematic liquid crystal (E7), were studied. CA and the CA/liquid crystal composite were characterized by multiple investigation techniques, such as polarized optical microscopy, dielectric spectroscopy and impedance measurements. Dielectric constant and electric energy loss were studied as a function of frequency and temperature. The activation energy was evaluated and the relaxation time was obtained by fitting the spectra of the dielectric loss with the Havriliak–Negami functions. To determine the electrical characteristics of the studied samples, impedance measurements results were treated using the Cole–Cole diagram and the three-element equivalent model.


2001 ◽  
Vol 709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Schulte ◽  
Stephen J. Clarson ◽  
Lalgudi V. Natarajan ◽  
C. Allan Guymon ◽  
Timothy J. Bunning

ABSTRACTHolographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) films with partially fluorinated matrices were investigated. Electro-optical and morphological studies revealed that fluorinated composites were substantially different from non-fluorinated analogues. The addition of a fluorinated monofunctional acrylate monomer to a pentaacrylate-derived polymer matrix resulted in improved diffraction efficiency. These findings suggest that the partial fluorination of the host polymer decreases the compatibility between the matrix and liquid crystal phase. Morphological differences between fluorinated films and non-fluorinated control specimens were verified using low-voltage, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (LVHRSEM).


1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Chy Chien ◽  
C. Lin ◽  
David S. Fredley ◽  
James W. McCargar

1999 ◽  
Vol 597 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pacilli ◽  
P. Sebbah ◽  
P. Sixou ◽  
C. Vanneste ◽  
H. Guillard

AbstractWe investigate the optical limiting capabilities of composite materials consisting of nematic liquid crystal inclusions within a polymer matrix in the millisecond and CW regime. Preparation of the composite has been optimized to decrease the operation voltage. Clear evidence of light induced reorientation is observed. A numerical model is proposed to describe multiple linear and nonlinear light scattering in the time domain in this medium. Numerical simulations are compared to experiment and confirm promising limiting characteristics of such materials.


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