Liquid crystal composition, light absorption anisotropic film, laminate, and image display device

Abstract

To provide a liquid crystal composition capable of forming a light-absorbing anisotropic film in which planar irregularity is suppressed and orientation is excellent, a light-absorbing anisotropic film, a laminate, and an image display device. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains: a liquid crystal compound; a dichroic substance; a polymer 1 having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by formula (A); and a polymer 2 having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by formula (A) and being different from the polymer 1, in the liquid crystal composition, in a case where a content of silicon atoms contained in the polymer 1 is set to X1 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of total solid content of the liquid crystal composition, and a content of silicon atoms contained in the polymer 2 is set to X2 parts by mass, a ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1 or more. In formula (A), X represents a substituent containing one or more structures represented by formula (a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a liquid crystal composition, a light-absorbing anisotropic film, a laminate, and an image display device. Background Technology

[0002] From the perspective of eliminating image color distortion and controlling viewing angle, optical films such as optical compensation films and phase difference films are used in various display devices. For example, Patent Document 1 shows an optically anisotropic layer obtained by using a liquid crystal composition comprising a liquid crystal compound, a dichroic substance, and a surface modifier having repeating units containing fluorine atoms, and discloses that by using a surface modifier having repeating units containing fluorine atoms, an optically anisotropic layer that suppresses orientation defects can be obtained. Previous technical documents Patent documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2022 / 014342 Summary of the Invention The technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0004] In recent years, due to their recalcitrant degradation and toxicity, there has been progress in restricting PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds). As surface modifiers, alternatives that do not use fluorine atoms are being studied, typically, alternative materials containing silicon atoms are being investigated. Therefore, the inventors have clarified that in a liquid crystal composition comprising a liquid crystal compound, a dichroic substance, and a surface modifier comprising fluorine atoms as described in Patent Document 1, when a polymer having repeating units comprising silicon atoms (surface modifier) ​​is used instead of a surface modifier comprising fluorine atoms to form a light-absorbing anisotropic film, sometimes a situation of planar inhomogeneity or insufficient orientation occurs.

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition, a light-absorbing anisotropic film, a laminate, and an image display device that can suppress the formation of planar non-uniformity and have excellent orientation. means for solving technical problems

[0006] As a result of in-depth research, the inventors discovered that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by the following structure. [1] A liquid crystal composition comprising: Liquid crystal compounds; Dichroic substances; Polymer 1, having a repeating unit A comprising the structure represented by formula (A) described later; and Polymer 2, having a repeating unit A comprising the structure represented by formula (A) described later, and different from polymer 1 described above, In the above liquid crystal composition, When the content of silicon atoms contained in polymer 1 is set as X1 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the total solid components of the liquid crystal composition, and the content of silicon atoms contained in polymer 2 is set as X2 parts by mass, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1 or more. In formula (A), R A1 and R A2 Each can be used to represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group independently. R A3 It represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituent. X represents a substituent containing one or more of the structures represented by the following formula (a). In formula (a), Indicates the bonding location. R a1 R a2 and R a3 Each can be independently represented as an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or alkylene aryl group that may have substituents. [2] According to the liquid crystal composition described in [1], wherein, Let the content of repeating unit A contained in polymer 1, relative to all repeating units possessed by polymer 1, be A1% by mass. Furthermore, if the content of the repeating unit A contained in the polymer 2 is set as A2 mass% relative to all repeating units possessed by the polymer 2, The ratio represented by A1 / A2 is greater than 1. [3] According to the liquid crystal composition described in [2], wherein, The ratio represented by A1 / A2 ranges from 1.2 to 7.50. [4] According to the liquid crystal composition described in [2] or [3], wherein, A1 is 30.0% to 75.0% by mass. A2 is 10.0 to 50.0 in mass. [5] According to the liquid crystal composition described in [2] or [3], wherein, A1 is 30.0% to 90.0% by mass. A2 has a mass of 5.0 to 65.0. [6] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein, The ratio represented by X1 / X2 ranges from 1.10 to 41.32. [7] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein, The ratio represented by X1 / X2 ranges from 1.10 to 79.34. [8] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein, X1 is 0.0016 to 0.057 parts by weight. X2 is 0.0013 to 0.0500 parts by mass. [9] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein, X1 is 0.0027 to 0.0546 parts by weight. X2 is 0.0006 to 0.0437 parts by mass.

[10] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein, At least one of the polymers 1 and 2 described above has a repeating unit B represented by the formula (B) described later. In formula (B), R B1 R B2 and R B3 Each can be independently represented by a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, or aryl group. R B4 and R B5 Each can be used independently to represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. In R B4 and R B5 In the case of substituents, R B4 and R B5 They can be connected to form a ring.

[11] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein, At least one of the polymers 1 and 2 described above has a repeating unit D represented by the formula (D) described later. In equation (D), R D1 R D2 and R D3 Each can be independently represented by a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, or aryl group. L D1 This indicates a single bond, -COO-, or -CO-. SpD1 It represents a divalent hydrocarbon group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Among them, one or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups that constitute part of the above hydrocarbon group can be independently replaced by -O-, -S-, -NH- or -N(Q)-, where Q represents a substituent. L D2 and L D3 Each can be used independently to represent a single bond or a divalent linker. Cy D This indicates a divalent linker group containing a mesocrystalline group. D represents a hydrogen-bonded group consisting of a hydrogen atom and nonmetallic atoms from groups 14 to 16. These nonmetallic atoms may have substituents. n represents an integer from 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, multiple L... D2 They can be the same or different, multiple Cy D They can be the same or different.

[12] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein, At least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 described above has both repeating unit B represented by formula (B) and repeating unit D represented by formula (D). In formula (B), R B1 R B2 and R B3 Each can be independently represented by a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, or aryl group. R B4 and R B5 Each can be used independently to represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. In R B4 and R B5 In the case of substituents, R B4 and R B5 They can be connected to form a ring. In equation (D), R D1 R D2 and R D3 Each can be independently represented by a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, or aryl group. L D1 This indicates a single bond, -COO-, or -CO-. Sp D1 It represents a divalent hydrocarbon group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Among them, one or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups that constitute part of the above hydrocarbon group can be independently replaced by -O-, -S-, -NH- or -N(Q)-, where Q represents a substituent. L D2 and L D3 Each can be used independently to represent a single bond or a divalent linker. Cy D This indicates a divalent linker group containing a mesocrystalline group. D represents a hydrogen-bonded group consisting of a hydrogen atom and nonmetallic atoms from groups 14 to 16. These nonmetallic atoms may have substituents. n represents an integer from 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, multiple L... D2 They can be the same or different, multiple Cy D They can be the same or different.

[13] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein, At least one of polymer 1 and polymer 2 has a repeating unit E that does not contain fluorine atoms or polymerizable groups. The above repeating unit E satisfies either condition 1 or condition 2. Condition 1: The repeating unit E above has a polar group at the end of the side chain. Condition 2: The above repeating unit E is represented by the following formula (E1) or (E2). In equation (E-1), R E2 It represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. L E1 This indicates a single key or selection of -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CONR. L1 -、-NR L1 COO-、-CR L1 N-, divalent aliphatic groups, substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic groups, and combinations thereof, and divalent linking groups in the group consisting of R. L1 An alkyl group having 1 to 20 hydrogen or carbon atoms. Ring E represents a ring structure with a cationized nitrogen atom. X represents an anion. L 2 It represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. In equation (E-2), R E3 It represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. L E3 This indicates a single key or selection of -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CONR. L1 -、-NR L1 COO-、-CR L1N-, divalent aliphatic groups, substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic groups, and combinations thereof, and divalent linking groups in the group consisting of R. L1 An alkyl group having 1 to 20 hydrogen or carbon atoms. R E4 and R E5 Each of the following groups independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group, R. E4 and R E5 They can be linked to each other via alkylene linkages, arylene linkages, or linkages formed by combinations thereof.

[14] An anisotropic light-absorbing film, which is obtained using any one of the liquid crystal compositions described in [1] to

[13] .

[15] According to the light absorption anisotropic film described in

[14] , wherein, The orientation states of the liquid crystal compounds and dichroic substances contained in the aforementioned anisotropic light-absorbing film are fixed. The angle θ between the transmittance central axis of the aforementioned anisotropic light-absorbing film and the normal direction of the surface of the aforementioned anisotropic light-absorbing film exceeds 45° and is less than 90°.

[16] According to the light absorption anisotropic film described in

[14] , wherein, The orientation states of the liquid crystal compounds and dichroic substances contained in the aforementioned anisotropic light-absorbing film are fixed. The angle θ between the transmittance central axis of the aforementioned anisotropic light-absorbing film and the normal direction of the surface of the aforementioned anisotropic light-absorbing film is 0° or more and 45° or less.

[17] A laminate having a light-absorbing anisotropic film and a λ / 4 plate as described in any one of

[14] to

[16] .

[18] An image display device having a light-absorbing anisotropic film and a display element as described in any one of

[14] to

[16] . Invention Effects

[0007] According to the present invention, a liquid crystal composition, a light absorption anisotropic film, a laminate, and an image display device are provided, which can suppress the formation of planar non-uniformity and have excellent orientation. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1This is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of a virtual reality display device, which is an example of an image display device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0009] The present invention will now be described in detail. The following description of the constituent elements is sometimes made according to representative embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. Furthermore, in this specification, the numerical range indicated by "~" refers to the range encompassed by the values ​​recorded before and after "~" as lower and upper limits, respectively. Within the numerical ranges described in stages in this specification, the upper or lower limit recorded within a certain numerical range can be replaced with the upper or lower limit of other numerical ranges described in stages. Moreover, within the numerical ranges described in this specification, the upper or lower limit recorded within a certain numerical range can also be replaced with the values ​​shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, in this specification, each component may be used individually as a single substance or in combination with two or more substances. When two or more substances are used in combination for each component, the content of that component, unless otherwise specified, refers to the total content of the substances used in combination. Furthermore, in this specification, "(meth)acrylate" is the expression for "acrylate" or "methacrylate", "(meth)acrylic" is the expression for "acrylic" or "methacrylic"", "(meth)acryloyl" is the expression for "acryloyl" or "methacryloyl", and "(meth)acrylic" is the expression for "acrylic" or "methacrylic". Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the bonding direction of the divalent groups marked in this specification is not limited. For example, in the case where Y in the compound represented by the formula "XYZ" is -C(O)-O-, Y can be either -C(O)-O- or -OC(O)-. Moreover, the above compound can be either "XC(O)-OZ" or "XOC(O)-Z".

[0010] Furthermore, in this specification, "orthogonal" and "parallel" related to angles refer to a strict range of ±10°, and "same" and "different" related to angles can be judged based on whether their difference is less than 5°. Furthermore, in this specification, "visible light" refers to 380–780 nm. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified in this specification, the measurement wavelength is 550 nm.

[0011] In this specification, "slow axis" refers to the direction with the highest in-plane refractive index. Furthermore, the slow axis of an anisotropic light-absorbing film refers to the slow axis of the entire anisotropic light-absorbing film.

[0012] In this specification, “Re(λ)” and “Rth(λ)” represent the in-plane delay and the thickness direction delay at wavelength λ, respectively. Here, the values ​​of in-plane delay and thickness direction delay refer to the values ​​measured using AxoScan OPMF-1 (manufactured by Opto Science, Inc.) and light of the measurement wavelength. Specifically, the following values ​​were calculated by using AxoScan OPMF-1 to input the average refractive index ((nx+ny+nz) / 3) and the film thickness (d(μm)). Slow axis direction (°) Re(λ) = R0(λ) Rth(λ)=((nx+ny) / 2-nz)×d Additionally, R0(λ) is shown as a value calculated using AxoScan OPMF-1, but refers to Re(λ).

[0013] [Substituent W] In this specification, the substituent W represents the following groups. Examples of substituents W include halogen atoms, alkyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkyl halides with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkyl carbonyl groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy carbonyl groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkyl carbonyloxy groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkylamino groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkylamino carbonyl groups, alkoxy groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkenyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkynyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, heterocyclic groups (also called heterocyclic groups), cyano, hydroxyl, nitro, carboxyl, aryloxy, siloxy, heterocyclic, acyloxy, carbamoyloxy, and alkoxycarbonyloxy. Aryloxycarbonyloxy, amino (including aniline), ammonium, acylamino, aminocarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aminosulfonylamino, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino, mercapto, alkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclic thio, aminosulfonyl, sulfonyl, alkyl or arylsulfinyl, alkyl or arylsulfonyl, acyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, aryl or heterocyclic azo, imide, phosphinyl, oxophosphinyl, oxophosphinyloxy, oxophosphinylamino, phosphonyl, silyl, hydrazyl, urea, borate (-B(OH)2), phosphate (-OPO(OH)2), sulfate (-OSO3H), and other known substituents. In addition, details regarding the substituents are described in paragraph

[0023] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-234651. Furthermore, the substituent W can be a group represented by the following formula (W1).

[0014] [Chemical Formula 1]

[0015] In formula (W1), LW represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, SPW represents a divalent spacer group, and Q represents a terminal group. Indicates the bonding location.

[0016] Examples of divalent linking groups represented by LW include -O-, -Si(CH3)2-, and -(Si(CH3)2O). g - (g represents an integer from 1 to 10.), -N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z) 1 )-, -C(Z)=N-, -C(O)-, -C(O)O-, -OC(O)O-, -C(O)N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z 1 )-C(O)O-, -C(Z)=N-, -C(Z)=C(Z 1 )-C(O)N(Z) 2 -C(Z) = C(Z) 1 )-C(O)-S-,-C(Z)=NN=C(Z 1 )-(Z, Z 1 and Z 2 Each group can independently represent hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, cyano, or halogen atoms with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and can also be represented by -C≡C-, -N=N-, -S-, -S(O)-, -S(O)(O)-, -(O)S(O)O-, -O(O)S(O)O-, and -SC(O)-. LW can also be a group composed of two or more of these groups (hereinafter referred to as "LC").

[0017] Examples of divalent spacer groups represented by SPW include straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkylene groups or heterocyclic groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, which have 1 to 50 carbon atoms. The carbon atoms of the aforementioned alkylene and heterocyclic groups can be replaced by -O-, -Si(CH3)2-, or -(Si(CH3)2O). g - (g represents an integer from 1 to 10.), -N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z) 1 )-,-C(Z)=N-,-C(Z)2-C(Z 1 )2-, -C(O)-, -C(O)O-, -OC(O)O-, -C(O)N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z 1 )-C(O)O-, -C(Z)=N-, -C(Z)=C(Z1 )-C(O)N(Z 2 -C(Z) = C(Z) 1 )-C(O)-S-,-C(Z)=NN=C(Z 1 )-(Z, Z 1 Z 2 Each of these groups can independently represent hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, cyano, or halogen atoms with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and substitutions for groups consisting of two or more of these groups. The hydrogen atoms of the aforementioned alkylene groups and heterocyclic groups can be halogen atoms, cyano groups, or -Z groups. H1 -OH, -OZ H1 -COOH, -C(O)Z H1 -C(O)OZ H1 -OC(O)Z H1 -OC(O)OZ H1 -NZ H1 Z H2 -NZ H1 C(O)Z H2 -NZ H1 C(O)OZ H2 -C(O)NZ H1 Z H2 -OC(O)NZ H1 Z H2 -NZ H1 C(O)NZ H2 OZ H3 -SH, -SZ H1 -C(S)Z H1 -C(O)SZ H1 -SC(O)Z H1 Replacement. Here, Z H1 Z H2 Z H3 Represents alkyl, haloalkyl, and -L-CL with 1 to 10 carbon atoms. In -L-CL, L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Specific examples of divalent linking groups are the same as those for LW and SPW mentioned above. In -L-CL, CL represents a crosslinking group. Specific examples of crosslinking groups can be found in the crosslinking groups represented by the following formulas (P-1) to (P-30).

[0018] [Chemical Formula 2]

[0019] In equations (P-1) to (P-30), R P This refers to hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkylene groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkyl halides with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkenyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkynyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and heterocyclic groups (also known as heterocyclic groups). (group), cyano, hydroxy, nitro, carboxyl, aryloxy, siloxy, heterocyclic, acyloxy, carbamoyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, amino (including aniline), ammonium, acylamino, aminocarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, aminosulfonylamino, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino, mercapto, alkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclic thio, aminosulfonyl, sulfonyl, alkyl or arylsulfinyl, alkyl or arylsulfonyl, acyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, aryl or heterocyclic azo, imide, phosphinyl, oxophosphinyl, oxophosphinyloxy, oxophosphinylamino, phosphonyl, silylalkyl, hydrazyl, urea, borate (-B(OH)2), phosphate (-OPO(OH)2) or sulfate (-OSO3H), multiple R P They can be the same, or they can be completely different. Preferred crosslinking groups include free radical polymerizable groups and cationic polymerizable groups. For free radical polymerizable groups, preferred groups include vinyl groups represented by formula (P-1), butadienyl groups represented by formula (P-2), (meth)acryloyl groups represented by formula (P-4), (meth)acrylamido groups represented by formula (P-5), vinyl acetate groups represented by formula (P-6), fumarate groups represented by formula (P-7), styrene groups represented by formula (P-8), vinylpyrrolidone groups represented by formula (P-9), maleic anhydride groups represented by formula (P-11), or maleimide groups represented by formula (P-12). For cationic polymerizable groups, preferred groups include vinyl ether groups represented by formula (P-18), epoxy groups represented by formula (P-19), or oxobutyl groups represented by formula (P-20).

[0020] As the terminal group represented by Q, it can represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a heterocyclic group (also called a heterocyclic group), a cyano group, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a carboxyl group, an aryloxy group, a silyloxy group, a heterocyclic oxygen group, an acyloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, an aryloxycarbonyloxy group, an amino group (including an aniline group), an ammonium group, an amide group, an aminocarbonylamino group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, or an aryloxycarbonyl group. alkylamino, aminosulfonylamino, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino, mercaptoalkylthio, arylthio, heterocyclic thio, aminosulfonyl, sulfonyl, alkyl or arylsulfinyl, alkyl or arylsulfonyl, acyl, aryloxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, aryl or heterocyclic azo, imide, phosphinyl, oxophosphinyl, oxophosphinyloxy, oxophosphinylamino, phosphonyl, silyl, hydrazine, urea, borate (-B(OH)2), phosphate (-OPO(OH)2), sulfate (-OSO3H) or crosslinking groups represented by the above formulas (P1) to (P-30).

[0021] [Liquid Crystal Composition] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention comprises: a liquid crystal compound; a dichroic substance; a polymer 1 having a repeating unit A comprising the structure represented by the formula (A) described later; and a polymer 2 having a repeating unit A comprising the structure represented by the formula (A) described later and different from the polymer 1 described above. Furthermore, in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, when the content of silicon atoms contained in the polymer 1, which is 100 parts by mass relative to the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition, is set as X1 parts by mass and the content of silicon atoms contained in the polymer 2 is set as X2 parts by mass, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1 or more.

[0022] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used, it is possible to form a light absorption anisotropic film with suppressed planar inhomogeneities and excellent orientation. The details of the reason for this are not yet clear, but it is presumed to be due to the following reasons. It is speculated that by containing polymer 1 and polymer 2 in the liquid crystal composition, these polymers complement each other and enhance the function of reducing the surface tension of the liquid crystal composition. As a result, the generation of planar inhomogeneity is suppressed compared with the case of using a liquid crystal composition containing only one polymer having a repeating unit A with the structure represented by formula (A). Furthermore, it is speculated that by including polymer 1 and polymer 2 in the liquid crystal composition, compared with the case of using a liquid crystal composition containing only one repeating unit A having the structure represented by formula (A), the aggregation of polymers is suppressed. As a result, the aggregation of liquid crystal compounds or dichroic substances that cause orientation defects is also suppressed, and the orientation degree of the obtained light absorption anisotropic film is improved.

[0023] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain two or more polymers having repeating units A having a structure represented by the following formula (A), or may contain three or more polymers having repeating units A having a structure represented by the following formula (A). In the case of a polymer containing three or more polymers having repeating unit A having a structure represented by the following formula (A), it is permissible as long as at least two of the three or more polymers satisfy the correlation between polymer 1 and polymer 2 described later (specifically, the value of X1 / X2, etc.). The polymer contained in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention having repeating unit A having a structure represented by the following formula (A) preferably does not have fluorine atoms.

[0024] The components contained in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0025] [Liquid Crystal Compounds] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains a liquid crystal compound. As a liquid crystal compound, either a high-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound or a low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound can be used, but from the viewpoint of improving the degree of orientation, a high-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound is more preferred. Furthermore, as a liquid crystal compound, both high-molecular-weight liquid crystal compounds and low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compounds can be used together. Here, "polymer liquid crystal compound" refers to a liquid crystal compound having repeating units in its chemical structure. Furthermore, "low molecular weight liquid crystal compounds" refers to liquid crystal compounds that do not have repeating units in their chemical structure. Examples of polymeric liquid crystal compounds include, for example, the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-237513 and the polymeric liquid crystal compounds described in paragraphs

[0012] to

[0042] of International Publication No. 2018 / 199096. As a low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound, examples include the liquid crystal compounds described in paragraphs

[0072] to

[0088] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-228706, among which, liquid crystal compounds exhibiting smectic properties are preferred. Examples of such liquid crystal compounds include those described in paragraphs

[0019] to

[0140] of International Publication No. 2022 / 014340, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] From the perspective of further improving orientation, side-chain type liquid crystal compounds are preferred. Side-chain type liquid crystal compounds refer to liquid crystal compounds with repeating units. As a side-chain type polymeric liquid crystal compound, the liquid crystal compound having repeating units represented by the following formula (1) described in paragraph

[0014] of International Publication No. 2018 / 199096 is a preferred example. [Chemical Formula 3]

[0027] In the above formula (1), R 1 L represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. 1 and L 2 M represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, respectively. 1 T represents a mesocrystalline group. 1 This indicates a terminal group.

[0028] Furthermore, as a low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound, the compound represented by the following formula (2) as described in paragraph

[0074] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-228706 is preferably cited. U 1 -V 1 -W 1 -X 1 -Y 1 -X 2 -Y 2 -X 3 -W 2 -V 2 -U 2 (2) In equation (2), X 1 X 2 and X 3 Each of these can independently represent either 1,4-phenylene or cyclohexane-1,4-diyl, which may have substituents. Wherein, X 1 X 2 and X 3 At least one of them is a 1,4-phenylene that may have substituents. The -CH2- constituting the cyclohexane-1,4-diyl group that may have substituents can be replaced by -O-, -S-, or NR-. R is an alkyl or phenyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Y 1 and Y 2Each of these can be used independently to represent -CH2CH2-, -CH2O-, -COO-, -OCOO-, single bond, -N=N-, and -CR. a =CR b -、-C≡C- or CR a =N-。 R a and R b Each can be independently represented by an alkyl group having 1 to 4 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms. U 1 It represents a hydrogen atom or a polymeric group. U 2 It indicates a polymerizable group. W 1 and W 2 Each can be used to independently represent a single bond, -O-, -S-, -COO-, or OCOO-. V 1 and V 2 Each can independently represent an alkyldiyl group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms that can have substituents, and the -CH2- constituting the alkyldiyl group can be replaced by -O-, -S- or -NH-.

[0029] From the viewpoint of improving orientation, liquid crystal compounds preferably have at least one group selected from the group consisting of fluorine atoms, cyano, trifluoromethyl and nitro groups.

[0030] From the viewpoint of achieving better results with the present invention, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymeric liquid crystal compound is preferably 1,000 to 500,000, more preferably 2,000 to 300,000. If the Mw of the polymeric liquid crystal compound is within the above range, the processing of the polymeric liquid crystal compound becomes easier. In particular, from the viewpoint of suppressing cracks during coating, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymer liquid crystal compound is preferably 10,000 or more, and more preferably 10,000 to 300,000. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of temperature tolerance of orientation, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymer liquid crystal compound is preferably less than 100,000, and more preferably 2,000 or more but less than 100,000. Here, the weight-average molecular weight of the polymeric liquid crystal compound is the value determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). • Solvent (eluent): N-methylpyrrolidone • Device Name: TOSOH HLC-8220GPC • Column: Connect 3 TOSOH TSKgelSuperAWM-H (6mm×15cm) for use. • Column temperature: 25℃ • Sample concentration: 0.1% by mass • Flow rate: 0.35 ml / min • Calibration curves: Calibration curves were obtained using seven samples of TSK standard polystyrene manufactured by TOSOH, with Mw values ​​ranging from 2,800,000 to 1,050 (Mw / Mn = 1.03 to 1.06).

[0031] The content of the liquid crystal compound relative to the content of the dichroic material is preferably 25 to 2000 parts by mass, more preferably 100 to 1300 parts by mass, and even more preferably 200 to 900 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass. By keeping the content of the liquid crystal compound within the above range, the orientation degree of the dichroic material is further improved.

[0032] [Dichroic substances] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains a dichroic substance. Here, dichroism refers to pigments whose absorbance varies depending on the direction. Furthermore, dichroic materials may or may not exhibit liquid crystal properties.

[0033] There are no particular limitations on dichroic substances. Examples include visible light absorbing substances (dichroic pigments), luminescent substances (fluorescent substances, phosphorescent substances), ultraviolet light absorbing substances, infrared light absorbing substances, nonlinear optical substances, carbon nanotubes, and inorganic substances (such as quantum rods). Previously known dichroic substances (dichroic pigments) can be used. Specifically, examples include paragraphs

[0067] to

[0071] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-228706, paragraphs

[0008] to

[0026] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-227532, paragraphs

[0008] to

[0015] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-209367, paragraphs

[0045] to

[0058] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-14883, paragraphs

[0012] to

[0029] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-101328, paragraphs

[0009] to

[0017] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-37353, and paragraphs

[0051] to

[0065] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-37353. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-63387, paragraphs

[0049] to

[0073] ; Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 11-305036, paragraphs

[0016] to

[0018] ; Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-133630, paragraphs

[0009] to

[0011] ; Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-215337, paragraphs

[0030] to

[0169] ; Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-106242, paragraphs

[0021] to

[0075] ; Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-215846, paragraphs

[0011] to

[0025] ; Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-048311, paragraphs

[0017] to

[0069] ; Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-2 Paragraphs

[0013] to

[0133] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 13610, paragraphs

[0074] to

[0246] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-237513, paragraphs

[0005] to

[0051] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-006502, paragraphs

[0014] to

[0032] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-053167, paragraphs

[0014] to

[0033] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-11716, paragraphs

[0005] to

[0041] of International Publication No. 2016 / 060173, paragraphs

[0008] to

[0062] of International Publication No. 2016 / 136561, and International Publication No. 2017 / 154835. Paragraphs

[0014] to

[0033] , paragraphs

[0014] to

[0033] of International Publication No. 2017 / 154695, paragraphs

[0013] to

[0037] of International Publication No. 2017 / 195833, paragraphs

[0014] to

[0034] of International Publication No. 2018 / 164252, paragraphs

[0021] to

[0030] of International Publication No. 2018 / 186503, paragraphs

[0043] to

[0063] of International Publication No. 2019 / 189345, paragraphs

[0043] to

[0085] of International Publication No. 2019 / 225468, and paragraphs

[0050] to

[0074] of International Publication No. 2020 / 004106.The contents described in paragraphs

[0015] to

[0038] of International Publication No. 2021 / 044843, etc.

[0034] As a dichroic substance, a dichroic azo dye compound is preferred. Dichroic azo dye compounds refer to azo dye compounds whose absorbance varies depending on the direction. Dichroic azo dye compounds may or may not exhibit liquid crystal properties. When a dichroic azo dye compound exhibits liquid crystal properties, it can exhibit either nematic or smectic properties. The preferred temperature range for displaying the liquid crystal phase is room temperature (approximately 20–28°C) to 300°C, and more preferably 50–200°C from the viewpoint of operability and manufacturing suitability.

[0035] In this invention, from the viewpoint of hue adjustment, it is preferable to use at least one pigment compound (first dichroic azo pigment compound) having a maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 560 to 700 nm and at least one pigment compound (second dichroic azo pigment compound) having a maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 455 nm or more and less than 560 nm.

[0036] In this invention, three or more dichroic azo dye compounds may be used together. For example, from the viewpoint of making the light absorption anisotropic film close to black, it is preferable to use a first dichroic azo dye compound, a second dichroic azo dye compound, and at least one dye compound (a third dichroic azo dye compound) that has a maximum absorption wavelength in the range of 380 nm or more and less than 455 nm. In this invention, from the viewpoint of excellent light resistance of the light-absorbing anisotropic film, it is preferable to include two or more first dichroic azo dye compounds.

[0037] In this invention, the dichroic azo dye compound preferably has crosslinking groups. Examples of crosslinking groups include (meth)acryloyl, epoxy, oxetyl, and styryl, with (meth)acryloyl being preferred.

[0038] From the viewpoint of further improving the orientation degree of the formed anisotropic light absorption film, the content of the dichroic substance relative to the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition (100 parts by mass) is preferably 3 to 90 parts by mass, more preferably 5 to 70 parts by mass, and even more preferably 10 to 60 parts by mass. Furthermore, when multiple dichroic substances are used together, the total amount of the multiple dichroic substances is preferably within the above-mentioned range. In this specification, "total solids content in the liquid crystal composition" refers to components other than solvents. Specific examples of solids content include liquid crystal compounds, dichroic substances, polymer 1, polymer 2, polymerization initiators, and vertical alignment agents.

[0039] [Polymer 1] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention comprises polymer 1. Polymer 1 is a polymer having repeating unit A comprising the structure represented by the following formula (A). Polymer 1 preferably does not contain fluorine atoms. "Substantially does not contain fluorine atoms" means that, in 100 parts by mass of polymer 1, the total content of fluorine atoms contained in polymer 1 is 5 parts by mass or less. More preferably, the total content of fluorine atoms contained in polymer 1 is 3 parts by mass or less, and even more preferably 0 parts by mass. From the viewpoint that it is easy to obtain a light-absorbing anisotropic film with a horizontal orientation (the angle θ between the central axis of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the normal direction of the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film is greater than 45° and less than 90°) and from the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are superior, polymer 1 is preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing at least one of repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1) and repeating unit B and repeating unit D, and more preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1), repeating unit B and repeating unit D. On the other hand, from the viewpoint that it is easy to obtain a light-absorbing anisotropic film with a vertical orientation (the angle θ between the transmittance central axis of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the normal direction of the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film is 0° or more and 45° or less) and from the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are superior, polymer 1 is preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1) and repeating unit E that satisfies condition 1 or condition 2 described later, and may further contain repeating unit F.

[0040] <Repeating Unit A> The repeating unit A is a repeating unit that contains the structure represented by the following formula (A).

[0041] [Chemical Formula 4]

[0042] In formula (A), R A1 and R A2 Each can be used to represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group independently. As R A1 and R A2The alkyl group in the formula can be, for example, a straight-chain alkyl group with 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms), or a branched or cyclic alkyl group with 3 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 3 to 9 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms). Specifically, examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, cyclohexyl, etc. R A1 and R A2 All are preferably hydrogen atoms.

[0043] In formula (A), R A3 It represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituent. As R A3 Substituents in the formula, for example, include substituents having an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or linking group and having the structure of the formula (a) described below at the end. As a specific example of a substituent having a linking group and a structure of the following formula (a) at the end, -CH2-CO-L can be cited. A1 -L A2 -(Si(R) a1 (R) a2 (R) a3 )) m Additionally, -L A1 -L A2 -(Si(R) a1 (R) a2 (R) a3 )) m The definition and -L in the following formula (A-1) A1 -L A2 -(Si(R) a1 (R) a2 (R) a3 )) m The definitions are the same, and the preferred methods are also the same. R A3 The substituents are preferably alkyl groups, more preferably straight-chain alkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably methyl or ethyl groups. R A3 Preferably, it contains hydrogen atoms or methyl groups.

[0044] In formula (A), X represents a substituent (hereinafter also referred to as "substituent X") that contains one or more of the structures represented by formula (a) below (hereinafter also referred to as "group a").

[0045] As substituent X, a monovalent hydrocarbon group having one or more groups a is preferred. The monovalent hydrocarbon group in substituent X can be straight-chain, branched, or cyclic, preferably straight-chain or branched. Examples of monovalent hydrocarbon groups in substituent X include monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups. The monovalent hydrocarbon group is preferably a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and more preferably an alkyl group. The alkyl group can be any of straight-chain, branched, or cyclic, preferably straight-chain or branched. The alkyl group preferably has 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 25, and even more preferably 2 to 20. Here, in the -CH2- that constitutes part of the monovalent hydrocarbon group in substituent X, one or more -CH2- groups can be independently replaced by -O-, -CO-, -C(O)-O-, or -C(O)-N(R) X10 )-、-[O-Si(R X11 )2] nx -、-Si(R X12 It is preferred to be substituted with divalent groups such as 2-, or 2-. R X10 The alkyl group represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably a hydrogen atom. The alkyl group can be straight-chain, branched, or cyclic, preferably straight-chain or branched. R X11 and R X12 Each of the following groups independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, group a (i.e., the group represented by formula (a) below), and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or the aforementioned group a. The alkyl group can be straight-chain, branched, or cyclic, preferably straight-chain or branched. Two R groups X11 They can be the same or different. Two R's. X12 They can be the same or different. nx is a number greater than or equal to 1, preferably a number from 1 to 100, and more preferably a number from 1 to 11. When nx is greater than or equal to 2, multiple [O-Si(R)]... X11 )2] can be the same or different.

[0046] As one of the preferred methods for substituent X, the group represented by the following formula (X1) can be cited. -L X10 -C(R) X20 ) mx (L) X11 -a) 3-mx Equation (X1)

[0047] In equation (X1), Indicates the bonding location,

[0048] In equation (X1), L X10 and L X11Each of these groups independently represents a divalent hydrocarbon group. Among the -CH2- groups that constitute part of the divalent hydrocarbon group, one or more -CH2- groups can be independently converted by -O-, -CO-, -C(O)-O-, or -C(O)-N(R) groups. X10 )-、-[O-Si(R X11 )2] nx -、-Si(R X12 Substitution with divalent groups such as 2-. Additionally, R... X10 R X11 R X12 The definitions of and nx are as described above. 2 R X11 They can be the same or different. Two R's. X12 They can be the same or different. In the case of nx being greater than 2, multiple [O-Si(R)]... X11 )2] can be the same or different. As L X10 and L X11 The divalent hydrocarbon group can be exemplified by divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups. The divalent hydrocarbon group is preferably a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and more preferably an alkylene group. The alkylene group can be any of straight-chain, branched, or cyclic, preferably straight-chain or branched, and more preferably straight-chain. The alkylene group preferably has 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 25, and even more preferably 2 to 20.

[0049] In equation (X1), R X20 Represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group with a monovalent charge. R X20 The definition of a 1-valent hydrocarbon group in this context is the same as that of a 1-valent hydrocarbon group described in the above description of substituent X.

[0050] In formula (X1), a represents the structure (group) represented by the formula (a) described later.

[0051] In equation (X1), mx represents an integer from 0 to 2. When mx is an integer of 0 or 1, multiple (L) X11 -a) They can be the same or different. When mx is 2, there are 2 R... X20 They can be the same or different.

[0052] [Chemical Formula 5]

[0053] In formula (a), Indicates the bonding location. Furthermore, R a1 R a2 and R a3Each can be independently represented as an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or alkylene aryl group that may have substituents. Specific examples of substituents include the above-mentioned substituent W, wherein halogen atoms, alkyl, alkyl carbonyl, alkoxy carbonyl, alkyl carbonyloxy, or alkoxy are preferred. Examples of alkyl groups include straight-chain alkyl groups with 1 to 18 carbon atoms, branched alkyl groups with 3 to 18 carbon atoms, and cyclic alkyl groups. Specifically, examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, and cyclohexyl. Examples of alkenyl groups include those with 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Specifically, examples include vinyl, 1-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 1-methyl-1-propenyl, 1-cyclopentenyl, and 1-cyclohexenyl. Examples of aryl groups include those with 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Specifically, examples include phenyl, α-methylphenyl, and naphthyl groups. Examples of alkylene aryl groups include those with 7 to 30 carbon atoms.

[0054] The number of groups a contained in substituent X is one or more. From the viewpoint of having a better orientation degree of the light absorption anisotropic film, it is preferable to have two or more, more preferably three or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of being able to further suppress orientation defects, it is preferable to have 18 or less, more preferably 12 or less, even more preferably 9 or less, and especially preferably 6 or less.

[0055] From the viewpoint of superior effect of the present invention and superior orientation of the light absorption anisotropic film, the repeating unit A is preferably the repeating unit A-1 represented by the following formula (A-1). [Chemical Formula 6]

[0056] In equation (A-1), R A1 R A2 and R A3 As described in equation (A) above, R a1 R a2 and R a3 Same as described in (a) above. In equation (A-1), when m is an integer greater than 2, multiple R a1 They can be the same or different, multiple Rs a2 They can be the same or different, multiple Rs a3 They can be the same or different.

[0057] In formula (A-1), L A1 Indicates a single bond, -O-, or -NR Z -. Among them, R ZIt represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Regarding L A1 -NR Z -, as R Z The substituents in the group are preferably alkyl groups, more preferably straight-chain alkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably methyl or ethyl groups. L A1 -O- or NH- are preferred, with -O- being more preferred.

[0058] In formula (A-1), L A2 This indicates a linking group with a single bond or an m+1 valence. As L A2 The linking group with an m+1 valence, for example, can preferably be a hydrocarbon group with an m+1 valence that can have 1 to 10 carbon atoms having substituents and a portion of the carbon atoms constituting the hydrocarbon group can be replaced by heteroatoms. Here, the substituents that may be present in the hydrocarbon group are preferably alkyl groups, more preferably straight-chain alkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably methyl or ethyl groups. Furthermore, examples of heteroatoms include silicon atoms, oxygen atoms, and nitrogen atoms.

[0059] In formula (A-1), m represents an integer of 1 or more. From the viewpoint of having a better orientation degree of the light absorption anisotropic film, an integer of 2 or more is preferred, an integer of 3 or more is more preferred, and from the viewpoint of being able to further suppress orientation defects, an integer of 18 or less is preferred, an integer of 12 or less is more preferred, an integer of 9 or less is even more preferred, and an integer of 6 or less is particularly preferred.

[0060] As a specific example of repeating unit A, repeating units corresponding to the monomers represented by the following formulas K-1 to K-38 can be given. Furthermore, in the embodiments described later, the monomer represented by the following formula K-1 is labeled "monomer K-1". The same applies to other monomers. Furthermore, the monomer represented by formula K-29 is a mixture of monomers with different numbers of -(O-Si(CH3)2)-, and is therefore represented by an average value of n≈11. The same meaning applies to monomers with the same designation.

[0061] [Chemical Formula 7]

[0062] [Chemical Formula 8]

[0063] [Chemical Formula 9]

[0064] When using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention to obtain a light absorption anisotropic film representing horizontal orientation, the content A1 of repeating unit A relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) of polymer 1 is preferably 10.0 to 90.0% by mass, more preferably 10.0 to 80.0% by mass, and even more preferably 30.0 to 75.0% by mass. If the content of repeating unit A is within the above range, the effect of the present invention is even better.

[0065] When using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention to obtain a light absorption anisotropic film representing vertical orientation, the content A1 of repeating unit A relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) of polymer 1 is preferably 10.0 to 90.0% by mass, more preferably 20.0 to 90.0% by mass, and even more preferably 30.0 to 90.0% by mass. If the content of repeating unit A is within the above range, the effect of the present invention is even better.

[0066] Polymer 1 may contain a single repeating unit A, or it may contain two or more repeating units A. When it contains two or more repeating units A, the content of repeating unit A refers to the total content of repeating units A.

[0067] <Repeating Unit B> The repeating unit B is the repeating unit represented by the following formula (B). It is believed that repeating unit B with an amide structure can improve the compatibility of the copolymer with the liquid crystal compound. As a result, it is estimated that a light absorption anisotropic film with fewer orientation defects was obtained.

[0068] [Chemical Formula 10]

[0069] In equation (B), R B1 R B2 and R B3 Each can be independently represented by a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, or aryl group. As R B1 R B2 and R B3 The alkyl group in the formula includes, for example, linear alkyl groups with 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms), branched alkyl groups with 3 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 3 to 9 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms), or cyclic alkyl groups. Specifically, examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, and cyclohexyl. As R B1 R B2 and RB3 The alkenyl groups in alkenyl groups can be categorized as linear alkenyl groups with 2 to 18 carbon atoms or branched alkenyl groups with 3 to 18 carbon atoms. Specifically, examples include vinyl, aryl, 2-butenyl, and 3-pentenyl alkenyl groups. As R B1 R B2 and R B3 The aryl group in the compound can be aryl groups with 6 to 30 carbon atoms (preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms). Specifically, examples include phenyl, 2,6-diethylphenyl, 3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl, styryl, naphthyl, and biphenyl. R B1 R B2 and R B3 Preferably, it is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and even more preferably a hydrogen atom.

[0070] In equation (B), R B4 and R B5 Each can be used independently to represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. In R B4 and R B5 In the case of substituents, R B4 and R B5 They can be connected to form a ring.

[0071] R B4 molecular weight and R B5 The total molecular weight is preferably 200 or less, more preferably 100 or less, and even more preferably 70 or less. While the detailed reasons are unclear, they are roughly estimated as follows: It is believed that as long as the total molecular weight is 100 or less, the steric hindrance of the substituents disappears, and the specific copolymer does not hinder the orientation of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic material. As a result, the order of the liquid crystal increases, and the orientation of the light-absorbing anisotropic film is more excellent. R B4 molecular weight and R B5 The lower limit of the total molecular weight is preferably 2 or higher.

[0072] As R B4 and R B5 From the viewpoint of achieving better results in this invention, the substituents represented are preferably organic groups, more preferably organic groups with 1 to 15 carbon atoms, even more preferably organic groups with 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and especially preferably organic groups with 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of organic groups mentioned above include linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups, aromatic hydrocarbon groups, and heterocyclic groups.

[0073] The alkyl group preferably has 1 to 15 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 12, and even more preferably 1 to 8. The carbon atom of an alkyl group can be represented by -O-, -Si(CH3)2-, or -(Si(CH3)2O). g -、-(OSi(CH3)2) g - (g represents an integer from 1 to 10.), -N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z) 1 )-, -C(Z)=N-, -N=C(Z)-, -C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -OC(O)O-, -N(Z)C(O)-, -C(O)N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z 1 )-C(O)O-, -OC(O)-C(Z)=C(Z 1 )-, -C(Z)=N-, -N=C(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z 1 )-C(O)N(Z) 2 -, -N(Z) 2 )-C(O)-C(Z)=C(Z) 1 -C(Z) = C(Z) 1 )-C(O)-S-, -SC(O)-C(Z)=C(Z 1 -, -C(Z) = NN = C(Z) 1 )-(Z, Z 1 and Z 2 Each group independently represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Other groups include -C≡C-, -N=N-, -S-, -C(S)-, -S(O)-, -SO2-, -(O)S(O)O-, -O(O)S(O)O-, -SC(O)-, and -C(O)S-, as well as groups formed by combining two or more of these groups. From the viewpoint of better effects of the present invention, -O-, -C(O)-, -N(Z)-, -OC(O)-, or -C(O)O- are preferred among the groups that can substitute for the carbon atoms of the alkyl group. The hydrogen atom of an alkyl group can be a halogen atom, cyano group, aryl group, nitro group, or -OZ group. H1 -C(O)Z H1 -C(O)OZ H1 -OC(O)Z H1 -OC(O)OZ H1 -NZ H1 Z H2 -NZ H1 C(O)Z H2 -NZ H1 C(O)OZ H2 -C(O)NZ H1 Z H2 -OC(O)NZ H1 ZH2 -NZ H1 C(O)NZ H2 OZ H3 -SZ H1 -C(S)Z H1 -C(O)SZ H1 or -SC(O)Z H1 Replace. Z H1 Z H2 and Z H3 Each of the following groups independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a cyano group, or a nitro group. From the viewpoint of better efficacy of the present invention, -OH, -COOH, or aryl (preferably phenyl) are preferred among the groups that can substitute for the hydrogen atom of the alkyl group.

[0074] The hydrogen atoms of aromatic hydrocarbon groups and heterocyclic groups can be halogen atoms, cyano groups, alkyl groups with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, cyano groups, nitro groups, and -OZ groups. H1 -C(O)Z H1 -C(O)OZ H1 -OC(O)Z H1 -OC(O)OZ H1 -NZ H1 Z H2 -NZ H1 C(O)Z H2 -NZ H1 C(O)OZ H2 -C(O)NZ H1 Z H2 -OC(O)NZ H1 Z H2 -NZ H1 C(O)NZ H2 OZ H3 -SZ H1 -C(S)Z H1 -C(O)SZ H1 -SC(O)Z H1 -B(OH)₂ substitution. Z H1 Z H2 and Z H3 Each group independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a cyano group, or a nitro group. From the viewpoint of better performance of the present invention, -OH and -B(OH)2 are preferred among the groups in which the hydrogen atoms of the aromatic hydrocarbon group and the hydrogen atoms of the heterocyclic group can be substituted.

[0075] From the viewpoint that the present invention offers superior performance, R B4 and R B5Each organic group is preferably composed of 1 to 15 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms. The preferred method for the organic group is as described above. From the viewpoint that the present invention offers superior performance, R B4 and R B5 In the presence of the group, at least one of the components is preferably a substituent, and more preferably at least one of the components is an organic group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms.

[0076] R B4 and R B5 The ring formed by the linkage is a heterocycle containing the nitrogen atom in formula (B), and may further contain heteroatoms such as oxygen atom, sulfur atom and nitrogen atom. From the viewpoint that the present invention offers superior performance, R B4 and R B5 The ring formed by the connection is preferably a 4- to 8-membered ring, more preferably a 5- to 7-membered ring, and even more preferably a 5- to 6-membered ring. From the viewpoint that the present invention has superior effects, R is constructed B4 and R B5 The number of carbon atoms in the linked ring is preferably 3 to 7, more preferably 3 to 6. R B4 and R B5 The rings formed by the connections may or may not be aromatic; from the viewpoint of achieving better results in this invention, it is preferable that they are not aromatic. As R B4 and R B5 Specific examples of rings formed by linkages can be given by the following groups.

[0077] [Chemical Formula 11]

[0078] The following shows a specific example of repeating unit B, but repeating unit B is not limited to the following structure.

[0079] [Chemical Formula 12]

[0080] When polymer 1 has repeating unit B, the content of repeating unit B relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) in polymer 1 is preferably 2 to 75% by mass, more preferably 3 to 70% by mass, and even more preferably 5 to 65% by mass. The effect of the present invention is better as long as the content of repeating unit B is within the above range. Polymer 1 may contain only one repeating unit B, or it may contain two or more repeating units B. When it contains two or more repeating units B, the content of the repeating unit B refers to the total content of the repeating units B.

[0081] <Repeating Unit D> The repeating unit D is the repeating unit represented by the following formula (D). Repeating unit D has a specified spacer (Sp in equation (B) described later). D1 ) and the linking group formed by the prescribed ring structure (Cy in formula (B) described later) D Therefore, it is believed that the increased viscosity of the liquid crystal composition further suppresses pinholes. Furthermore, it is believed that by having a defined hydrogen-bonding group (D in formula (B) described later), the repeating unit D becomes a hydrogen-bonded polymer and has a highly planar air interface layer suitable for orienting liquid crystal compounds and dichroic substances, thus further improving the orientation degree of the light-absorbing anisotropic film formed.

[0082] [Chemical Formula 13]

[0083] In equation (D), R D1 R D2 and R D3 Each can be independently represented by a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, cyano group, alkyl group, alkenyl group, or aryl group. R D1 R D2 and R D3 Specific examples and preferred embodiments of alkyl, alkenyl and aryl groups in formula (B) are similar to those of R. B1 R B2 and R B3 The alkyl, alkenyl, and aryl groups are the same. R D1 R D2 and R D3 Hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups are preferred, hydrogen atoms or methyl groups are more preferred, and hydrogen atoms are even more preferred.

[0084] In formula (D), L D1 It indicates a single bond, -COO-, or -CO-, with -CO- being preferred.

[0085] In equation (D), Sp D1 This refers to a divalent hydrocarbon group with 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Divalent hydrocarbon groups can be straight-chain or branched. As Sp D1 The divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is used, for example, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and an aromatic heterocyclic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, etc., with aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms being preferred. Here, the preferred aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, and more preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Specifically, examples of preferred groups include methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene, methylhexylene, and heptylene. Furthermore, constituting Sp D1 In the -CH2- group of the hydrocarbon group, one or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups can be independently replaced by -O-, -S-, -NH- or -N(Q)-. Q represents a substituent, and examples of the substituents W mentioned above are given, wherein alkyl, alkoxy or halogen atoms are preferred.

[0086] In formula (D), L D2 and L D3 Each can be used independently to represent a single bond or a divalent linker. As L D2 and L D3 The divalent linking group in the form, for example, can be -C(O)O-, -O-, -S-, -C(O)NR. L1 -, -SO2- and -NR L1 R L2 - etc. In the formula, R L1 and R L2 Each of the above-mentioned substituents represents a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which may have substituents. Examples of substituents that may be present in alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms include the substituent W described above, wherein alkyl, alkoxy, or halogen atoms are preferred.

[0087] In equation (D), Cy D This indicates a divalent linker group containing a mesocrystalline group. Mesocrystalline groups refer to groups that represent the main framework of liquid crystal molecules that contribute to the formation of liquid crystals. Liquid crystal molecules exhibit liquid crystal properties, displaying an intermediate state (intermediate phase) between the crystalline state and the isotropic liquid state. There are no particular limitations regarding mesocrystalline groups; for example, one can refer to the description in "Flussige Kristalle in Tabellen II" (VEB Deutsche Verlag fur Grundstoff Industrie, Leipzig, 1984), especially pages 7-16, and the description in "Liquid Crystal Handbook Editorial Committee," "Liquid Crystal Handbook" (Maruzen, 2000), especially Chapter 3. The mesocrystalline group preferably comprises 1 to 10 cyclic structures, more preferably 1 to 7 cyclic structures. Specific examples of cyclic structures include aromatic hydrocarbon groups, heterocyclic groups, and alicyclic groups.

[0088] Cy DThe divalent linking group containing the mesocrystalline group is preferably a divalent mesocrystalline group. Examples of divalent mesocrystalline groups include divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups, divalent heterocyclic groups, and divalent alicyclic groups. Specific examples of divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups include phenylene, naphthylene, fluorene-diyl, anthracene-diyl, and tetraphenyl-diyl. As a divalent heterocyclic group, it can be either aromatic or non-aromatic, but from the viewpoint of further improving the degree of orientation, a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group is preferred. Examples of atoms other than carbon that constitute a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group include nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen atoms. When an aromatic heterocyclic group has multiple atoms forming rings other than carbon, these atoms may be the same or different. Specific examples of divalent aromatic heterocyclic groups include, for example, pyridinyl (pyridin-diyl), pyridazinyl (pyridinyl), imidazole-diyl, thiophene (thiophene-diyl), quinolineyl (quinoline-diyl), isoquinolineyl (isoquinoline-diyl), oxazole-diyl, thiazole-diyl, oxadiazole-diyl, benzothiazole-diyl, benzothiadiazole-diyl, phthalimide-diyl, thienothiazole-diyl, thiazonothiazole-diyl, thienothiphene-diyl, and thienooxazole-diyl. Specific examples of divalent alicyclic groups include cyclopentylene and cyclohexylene, where the carbon atom can be replaced by -O-, -Si(CH3)2-, or -N(Z-. M )-(Z M It represents hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, cyano or halogen atoms with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, -C(O)-, -S-, -C(S)-, -S(O)- and -SO2-, and group substitutions formed by combining two or more of these groups.

[0089] From the viewpoints of superior performance of the present invention and superior orientation of the anisotropic light absorption film, Cy D Preferably, the following formula (Cy) D -1)~(Cy D Any of the divalent linking groups represented in (-15). In the following formula, Indicates with L D2 or L D3 At the bonding positions, the carbon atoms constituting the ring structure in the following formula can be replaced by heteroatoms or have substituents. Furthermore, examples of substituents that the carbon atoms constituting the ring structure can have include the aforementioned substituent W, which is preferably alkyl, alkoxy, or halogen atom.

[0090] [Chemical Formula 14]

[0091] As the above formula (Cy) D -1)~(Cy D Any of the divalent linking groups represented in -15) can be cited, specifically, for example, 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-cyclohexene, 1,4-cyclohexenyl, tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl, 1,4-piperazinyl, 1,4-piperidinyl, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, tetrahydrothiaran-2,5-diyl, 1,4-bicyclo(2,2,2)octylene, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl, pyrimidine -2,5-diyl, pyrazin-2,5-diyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl-2,6-diyl, 2,6-naphthylene, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl, 1,2,3,4,4a,9,10a-octahydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl, 9-fluorenone-2,7-diyl, fluorene-2,7-diyl, thienothieno-3,6-diyl, carbazole-3,6-diyl, and carbazole-2,7-diyl, etc.

[0092] From the perspective of superior orientation of anisotropic light absorption films, Cy in the above equation (B) D Preferably, the above formula (Cy) D -1), (Cy D -4), (Cy D -7), (Cy) D -10) and (Cy D Any divalent linking group represented by any of the formulas in (Cy -13), more preferably, is a linking group represented by the above formula (Cy D -7) and (Cy D Any of the divalent linking groups represented in -13)

[0093] In formula (D), D represents a hydrogen-bonded group consisting of a hydrogen atom and a nonmetallic atom from groups 14 to 16 (periodic table). However, the nonmetallic atom may have substituents. Here, nonmetallic atoms from groups 14 to 16 include, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon atoms. Furthermore, the substituents that can be present as non-metallic atoms (especially nitrogen and carbon atoms) include, for example, halogen atoms, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkyl-substituted alkoxy groups, cyclic alkyl groups, aryl groups (e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, etc.), cyano groups, amino groups, nitro groups, alkyl carbonyl groups, sulfonyl groups, and hydroxyl groups.

[0094] Examples of such hydrogen-bonding groups include hydrogen bond donor groups and hydrogen bond acceptor groups. Specifically, examples of hydrogen bond-donating groups include amino, amide, urea, carbamate, sulfonamide, sulfonyl, phosphono, hydroxyl, mercapto, carboxyl, methylene substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, and methine substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, among which carboxyl and amide are preferred. Specifically, examples of hydrogen bond accepting groups include heteroatoms with lone pairs of electrons on heterocycles, hydroxyl groups, aldehydes, ketones, carboxyl groups, carboxylic acid esters, carboxylic acid amides, lactones, lactams, sulfonamides, sulfonyl groups, phosphonyl groups, phosphoramides, carbamates, ureas, ether structures (especially high molecular structures with oxygen atoms contained in polyether structures), aliphatic amines, aromatic amines, etc., with carboxyl groups and amide groups being preferred.

[0095] In equation (D), n represents an integer from 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, multiple L... D2 They can be the same or different, multiple Cy D They can be the same or different.

[0096] In this invention, considering that the haze of the light-absorbing anisotropic film becomes less observable (the haze becomes better), n in the above formula (D) is preferably 1 or 2, and considering that the pinholes are further suppressed when the light-absorbing anisotropic film is formed, it is more preferably 2.

[0097] In this invention, considering the reason that the orientation degree of the formed anisotropic light-absorbing film becomes higher, the repeating unit D is preferably L in the above formula (D). D3 This indicates a single bond, and D represents -COOH or -NHCOR. 2 or -CONHR 3 Repeating units. Here, R 2 and R 3 Each alkyl or alkenyl group independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Alkyl and alkenyl groups can be linear or branched. In particular, one or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups that constitute part of the alkyl or alkenyl group can be replaced by -O-.

[0098] Furthermore, in this invention, considering that the haze of the light-absorbing anisotropic film becomes less observable, the repeating unit D is preferably L in the above formula (D). D3 It represents a single bond and D represents -NHCOR 4 Repeating units. Here, R 4 This refers to an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Alkyl and alkenyl groups can be linear or branched. In particular, one or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups that constitute part of the alkyl or alkenyl group can be replaced by -O-.

[0099] As monomers forming repeating unit D, examples include monomers represented by the following formula. Furthermore, in the following formula, Me represents a methyl group, and Ac represents an acetyl group.

[0100] [Chemical Formula 15]

[0101] [Chemical Formula 16]

[0102] [Chemical Formula 17]

[0103] [Chemical Formula 18]

[0104] When polymer 1 has repeating unit D, the content of repeating unit D relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) in polymer 1 is preferably 5 to 85% by mass, more preferably 10 to 75% by mass, and even more preferably 20 to 70% by mass. The effect of the present invention is better as long as the content of repeating unit D is within the above range. The repeating unit D may be contained in polymer 1 as a single type or in two or more types. When the repeating unit D contains two or more types, the content of the repeating unit D mentioned above refers to the total content of the repeating units D.

[0105] <Repeating Unit E> The repeating unit E is a repeating unit that does not contain fluorine atoms or polymerizable groups, and satisfies either condition 1 or condition 2 below. Condition 1: The repeating unit E has a polar group at the end of the side chain. Condition 2: The repeating unit E is represented by the following formula (E1) or (E2).

[0106] (Condition 1) The repeating unit E that satisfies condition 1 is a repeating unit with a polar group at the end of the side chain. Here, a polar group refers to a substituent having a hydrogen atom and a charge bias between the hydrogen atom and the atom to which it is bonded, or an ion pair formed by a deprotonated or protonated derivative of the substituent. Specifically, examples of substituents include amino, amide, urea, carbamate, sulfonamide, sulfonyl, phosphono, hydroxyl, mercapto, carboxyl, methylene substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, and methine substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, among which carboxyl is preferred. Specifically, examples of the aforementioned ion pairs include, for instance, carboxylates, onium salts, sulfonium salts, phosphonium salts, etc.

[0107] The repeating unit E that satisfies condition 1 is preferably the repeating unit represented by the following formula (K-1). [Chemical Formula 19]

[0108] In the above formula (K-1), R 10 The alkyl group represents 1 to 20 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms, wherein preferably it is an alkyl group with 1 to 10 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms, more preferably it is an alkyl group with 1 to 4 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms, and even more preferably it is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

[0109] As monomers that form the repeating unit represented by the above formula (K-1), examples include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, etc.

[0110] (Condition 2) The repeating element E that satisfies condition 2 is the repeating element represented by the following formula (E-1) or (E-2). [Chemical Formula 20]

[0111] In equations (E-1) and (E-2) above, R E2 and R E3 Each can be used to represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent independently. Furthermore, in the above equations (E-1) and (E-2), L E1 and L E3 This indicates a single key or selection of -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CONR. L1 -、-NR L1 COO-、-CR L1 N-, divalent aliphatic groups, substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic groups, and combinations thereof, and divalent linking groups in the group consisting of R. L1 An alkyl group having 1 to 20 hydrogen or carbon atoms. Furthermore, in the above formula (E-1), ring E represents a ring structure with cationized nitrogen atoms. Furthermore, in the above formula (E-1), X represents an anion. Furthermore, in the above equation (E-1), L E2It represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Furthermore, in the above equation (E-2), R E4 and R E5 Each of these groups independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group, R. E4 and R E5 They can be linked to each other via alkylene linkages, arylene linkages, or linkages formed by combinations thereof.

[0112] In equations (E-1) and (E-2) above, as mentioned above, R E2 and R E3 Each can be used to represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent independently. As R E2 and R E3 The substituent represented in one manner can be exemplified by the group described in the above-mentioned substituent W, wherein aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms) are preferred. R E2 and R E3 Preferably, the alkyl group has 1 to 20 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms; more preferably, it has 1 to 10 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms; even more preferably, it has 1 to 4 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms; and especially preferably, it has hydrogen atoms or methyl groups.

[0113] Furthermore, in the above equations (E-1) and (E-2), as mentioned above, L E1 and L E3 This indicates a single key or selection of -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CONR. L1 -、-NR L1 COO-、-CR L1 N-, divalent aliphatic groups, substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic groups, and combinations thereof, and divalent linking groups in the group consisting of R. L1 An alkyl group having 1 to 20 hydrogen or carbon atoms.

[0114] Here, as L E1 and L E3 The substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic group represented by one method may include, for example, alkylene groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or cycloalkylene groups having 3 to 20 carbon atoms (e.g., cyclohexylene), wherein alkylene groups having 1 to 15 carbon atoms are preferred, alkylene groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms are more preferred, and methylene, ethylene, propylene, and butylene are even more preferred. Furthermore, as L E1 and L E3The substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group, as represented by one method, can be exemplified by divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups that may have substituents or divalent aromatic heterocyclic groups that may have substituents. Examples of divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups include groups obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from each of the two carbon atoms of the ring structure constituting an aromatic hydrocarbon ring such as a benzene ring, naphthalene ring, anthracene ring, triphenylene ring, or fluorene ring. Phenylidene or naphthylene groups obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from each of the two carbon atoms of the ring structure constituting a benzene ring or naphthalene ring are preferred. On the other hand, examples of divalent aromatic heterocyclic groups include groups obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from each of the two carbon atoms of the ring structure constituting an aromatic heterocyclic ring such as a furan ring, pyrrole ring, thiophene ring, pyridine ring, thiazole ring, benzothiazole ring, oxadiazole ring, thiazoxothiazole ring, or phenanthroline ring. Furthermore, the substituents that can be present as divalent aliphatic or divalent aromatic groups include the groups described in the substituent W above.

[0115] Furthermore, the aforementioned R L1 The alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms as represented in one embodiment is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Specifically, examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, and n-hexyl.

[0116] Furthermore, in the above formula (E-1), as mentioned above, ring E represents a ring structure having a cationized nitrogen atom. As ring E, the ring structure represented by the following formula (E-1-1) is preferred. Furthermore, in the following formula (E-1-1), Indicates with L E1 The bonding positions. [Chemical Formula 21]

[0117] Examples of ring structures for ring E include pyridine rings, methylpyridine rings, 2,2'-bipyridine rings, 4,4'-bipyridine rings, 1,10-phenanthroline rings, quinoline rings, oxazole rings, thiazole rings, imidazole rings, pyrazine rings, triazole rings, and tetrazolium rings. Furthermore, as ring E, quaternizonium ions and quaternizonium ions are preferred.

[0118] Furthermore, in the above formula (E-1), as mentioned above, X represents an anion. Examples of X include halide anions (e.g., fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, etc.), sulfonate ions (e.g., methanesulfonate, trifluoromethanesulfonate, methyl sulfate, vinylsulfonate, allylsulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, p-chlorobenzenesulfonate, p-vinylbenzenesulfonate, 1,3-benzenedisulfonate, 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate, 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonate, etc.), sulfate ions, carbonate ions, nitrate ions, thiocyanate ions, perchlorate ions, tetrafluoroborate ions, picric acid ions, acetate ions, benzoate ions, p-vinylbenzoate ions, formate ions, trifluoroacetate ions, phosphate ions (e.g., hexafluorophosphate ions), hydroxide ions, etc. Halogen anions, sulfonate ions, and hydroxide ions are preferred. Furthermore, chloride ions, bromide ions, iodide ions, methanesulfonate ions, vinylsulfonate ions, p-toluenesulfonate ions, and p-vinylbenzenesulfonate ions are particularly preferred.

[0119] Furthermore, in the above formula (E-1), as mentioned above, L E2 It represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. As L E2 The substituent represented in one manner can be exemplified by the groups described in the substituent W above, wherein preferably it is an alkylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an aliphatic hydrocarbon (e.g., an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms), a heterocyclic group, or a cyano group.

[0120] Furthermore, in the above equation (E-2), as mentioned above, R E4 and R E5 Each of these groups independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group. R E4 and R E5 They can be linked together via alkylene linkages, arylene linkages, or linkages formed by combinations thereof.

[0121] As R E4 and R E5 The substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group represented by one of the following can be alkyl, alkenyl or ynyl groups that may have substituents. As an alkyl group, examples include, for instance, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl, eicosyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, 1-methylbutyl, isohexyl, 2-methylhexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 1-adamantyl, 2-norbornyl, etc., which are straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups. As an alkenyl group, examples include, for instance, straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkenyl groups such as vinyl, 1-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 1-methyl-1-propenyl, 1-cyclopentenyl, and 1-cyclohexenyl. As an alkynyl group, examples include ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 1-octyynyl, etc.

[0122] As R E4 and R E5 The aryl group represented by a certain method is either substituted or unsubstituted. Examples include aryl groups that form a fused ring with one to four benzene rings and aryl groups that form a fused ring with a benzene ring and an unsaturated five-membered ring. Specifically, examples include phenyl, naphthyl, anthraceneyl, phenanthryl, indene, acenaphthene, fluorenyl, pyrene, etc.

[0123] As R E4 and R E5 A heteroaryl group, whether substituted or unsubstituted, can be represented in one manner, for example, by removing one hydrogen atom from a heteroaryl ring containing one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur atoms. As a heteroaromatic ring containing one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur atoms, examples include, for instance, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, pyrazole, imidazole, triazole, oxazole, isoxazole, oxadiazole, thiazole, thiadiazole, indole, carbazole, benzofuran, dibenzofuran, thionine, dibenzothiophene, indazole benzimazole, 2,1-benzoisoxazole (anthranil), benzoisoxazole, benzoxazole, benzothiazole, purine, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine, quinoline, acridine, isoquinoline, phthalazine, quinazoline, quinoxaline, naphthidine, phenanthroline, pteridine, etc.

[0124] As R E4 and R E5 The substituents that may be present include the groups described in the substituent W above.

[0125] As a monomer that forms the repeating unit represented by the above formula (E-1), specifically, for example, monomers represented by the following formulas I-1 to I-11 can be cited. [Chemical Formula 22]

[0126] As a monomer that forms the repeating unit represented by the above formula (E-2), for example, the monomers represented by the following formulas II-1 to II-12 can be cited. [Chemical Formula 23]

[0127] In this invention, from the viewpoint of further suppressing the generation of planar non-uniformity, the repeating unit E that satisfies condition 2 is more preferably the repeating unit represented by the above formula (E-2).

[0128] Polymer 1 having repeating unit E that satisfies condition 2 can further have repeating unit E that satisfies condition 1 above, that is, repeating units with polar groups at the ends of side chains can also satisfy condition 1 above.

[0129] When polymer 1 has repeating unit E, the content of repeating unit E relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) in polymer 1 is preferably 5 to 70% by mass, more preferably 10 to 65% by mass, and even more preferably 15 to 60% by mass. The effect of the present invention is better as long as the content of repeating unit E is within the above range. Polymer 1 may contain only one repeating unit E, or it may contain two or more repeating units E. When it contains two or more repeating units E, the content of repeating units E mentioned above refers to the total content of repeating units E.

[0130] <Repeating Unit F> Based on the reason that the adhesion between the layers adjacent to the light-absorbing anisotropic film becomes good, the polymer 1 having repeating unit E preferably further has repeating unit F containing polymerizable groups.

[0131] The repeating unit F is preferably the repeating unit represented by the following formula (F). [Chemical Formula 24]

[0132] In the above formula (F), R F1 The alkyl group represents 1 to 20 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms, wherein preferably it is an alkyl group with 1 to 10 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms, more preferably it is an alkyl group with 1 to 4 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms, and even more preferably it is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

[0133] Furthermore, in the above formula (F), L F1 This indicates a single key or selection of -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CONR. L2 -、-NR L2 COO-、-CR L2N-, divalent aliphatic groups, substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic groups, and combinations thereof, and divalent linking groups in the group consisting of R. L2 It represents hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or -L. F1 -Q F1 Additionally, R L2 -L F1 -Q F1 Q at time F1 Q in (F) above F1 Similarly, polymeric groups are also represented.

[0134] Here, as L F1 The divalent aliphatic group and divalent aromatic group represented can be exemplified by L in the above formula (E-1). E1 The same groups described in the text, and R L2 The alkyl groups representing 1 to 20 carbon atoms can be exemplified by R, which is described in association with the above formula (E-1). L1 Same group.

[0135] Furthermore, in the above equation (F), Q F1 It indicates a polymerizable group. In this invention, Q in the above formula (F) F1 The polymeric group represented is preferably any polymeric group selected from the group represented by the following formulas (F-1) to (F-7), more preferably any polymeric group selected from the group represented by the following formulas (F-1) to (F-3), and even more preferably a polymeric group represented by the following formulas (F-1) or (F-2). [Chemical Formula 25]

[0136] In the above equations (F-1) to (F-7), Indicates with L F2 The bond position. R 30 It represents an alkyl group with 1 to 5 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms, and 2 R's. 30 They can be the same or different, and they can also be connected to form a ring structure. Furthermore, as R 30 The alkyl group represented by carbon atoms is 1 to 5, specifically, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, etc.

[0137] In this invention, from the viewpoints of ease of manufacture, economy, and free radical polymerization, the repeating unit represented by the above formula (F-1) is preferably the following repeating unit: R in the above formula (F-1) F1For hydrogen atoms or methyl groups, L in the above formula (F-1) is... F1 It is a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of -O-, -COO-, -OCO- and substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic groups (preferably alkylene groups with 2 to 8 carbon atoms).

[0138] As a repeating unit F, specifically, for example, the repeating unit represented by the following formula can be cited. [Chemical Formula 26]

[0139] When polymer 1 has repeating unit F, the content of repeating unit F is preferably 1 to 30% by mass relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) of polymer 1, more preferably 5 to 20% by mass. Polymer 1 may contain only one repeating unit F, or it may contain two or more repeating units F. When it contains two or more repeating units F, the content of the repeating units F refers to the total content of the repeating units F.

[0140] <Content> The content of polymer 1 relative to the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition (100 parts by mass) is preferably 0.001 to 0.500 parts by mass, more preferably 0.002 to 0.400 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.003 to 0.300 parts by mass. The effects of the present invention are more superior as long as the content of polymer 1 is within the above range. The content of polymer 1 relative to the total amount (100 parts by mass) of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance in the liquid crystal composition is preferably 0.001 to 0.530 parts by mass, more preferably 0.002 to 0.430 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.003 to 0.320 parts by mass. The effects of the present invention are more superior as long as the content of polymer 1 is within the above range.

[0141] <Molecular weight> From the viewpoint of achieving better results from the present invention, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of polymer 1 is preferably 2,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably 3,000 to 200,000, and even more preferably 5,000 to 80,000. Here, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of polymer 1 was calculated by gel permeation chromatography (EcoSEC HLC-8320GPC (manufactured by TOSOH CORPORATION)) under the following conditions: tetrahydrofuran as eluent, flow rate 0.35 mL / min, and temperature 40 °C, using polystyrene conversion. Furthermore, TSKgel SuperHZM-H, TSKgel SuperHZ4000, and TSKgel SuperHZ200 columns (manufactured by TOSOH CORPORATION) were used.

[0142] [Polymer 2] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention comprises polymer 2. Polymer 2 is a polymer having repeating unit A comprising the structure represented by the above formula (A) and different from polymer 1 described above. Polymer 2 preferably does not contain fluorine atoms. "Substantially does not contain fluorine atoms" means that, in 100 parts by mass of polymer 2, the total content of fluorine atoms contained in polymer 2 is 5 parts by mass or less. More preferably, the total content of fluorine atoms contained in polymer 2 is 3 parts by mass or less, and even more preferably 0 parts by mass. Here, a polymer different from polymer 1 refers to a polymer with a different chemical structure than polymer 1 or a polymer with the same chemical structure as polymer 1 but a different composition ratio. From the viewpoint that it is easy to obtain a light-absorbing anisotropic film with a horizontal orientation (the angle θ between the central axis of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the normal direction of the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film is greater than 45° and less than 90°) and from the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are superior, polymer 2 is preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing at least one of repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1) and repeating unit B and repeating unit D, and more preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1), repeating unit B and repeating unit D. On the other hand, from the viewpoint that it is easy to obtain a light-absorbing anisotropic film with a vertical orientation (the angle θ between the transmittance central axis of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the normal direction of the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film is 0° or more and 45° or less) and from the viewpoint that the effects of the present invention are superior, polymer 2 is preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1) and repeating unit E that satisfies condition 1 or condition 2 described later, and may further contain repeating unit F. The repeating units in polymer 2 (i.e., repeating unit A, repeating unit B, repeating unit D, repeating unit E and repeating unit F), including the preferred embodiment, are the same as those in polymer 1, and therefore their description is omitted.

[0143] When the purpose is to obtain a horizontally oriented light-absorbing anisotropic film using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the content A2 of repeating unit A relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) of polymer 2 is preferably 5.0 to 50.0% by mass, more preferably 10.0 to 50.0% by mass, and even more preferably 10.0 to 40.0% by mass. If the content of repeating unit A is within the above range, the effect of the present invention is even better.

[0144] When the purpose is to obtain a vertically oriented light-absorbing anisotropic film using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, the content A2 of repeating unit A relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) of polymer 2 is preferably 5.0 to 70.0% by mass, more preferably 5.0 to 65.0% by mass, even more preferably 10.0 to 65.0% by mass, and particularly preferably 15.0 to 60.0% by mass. The effect of the present invention is even better if the content of repeating unit A is within the above range.

[0145] Polymer 2 may contain only one repeating unit A, or it may contain two or more repeating units A. When it contains two or more repeating units A, the content of repeating unit A refers to the total content of repeating units A.

[0146] When polymer 2 has repeating unit B, the content of repeating unit B is preferably 5.0 to 90.0% by mass, more preferably 10.0 to 85.0% by mass, and even more preferably 15.0 to 80.0% by mass, relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) in polymer 2. The effects of the present invention are more superior as long as the content of repeating unit B is within the above range. Polymer 2 may contain only one repeating unit B, or it may contain two or more repeating units B. When it contains two or more repeating units B, the content of the repeating unit B mentioned above refers to the total content of the repeating units B.

[0147] When polymer 2 has repeating unit D, the content of repeating unit D is preferably 10.0 to 90.0% by mass, more preferably 20.0 to 85.0% by mass, and even more preferably 25.0 to 80.0% by mass, relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) in polymer 2. The effects of the present invention are more superior as long as the content of repeating unit D is within the above range. Polymer 2 may contain only one repeating unit D, or it may contain two or more repeating units. When there are two or more repeating units D, the content of repeating units D mentioned above refers to the total content of repeating units D.

[0148] When polymer 2 has repeating unit E, the content of repeating unit E is preferably 5.0 to 80.0% by mass, more preferably 7.0 to 75.0% by mass, and even more preferably 9.0 to 70.0% by mass, relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) in polymer 2. The effects of the present invention are more superior as long as the content of repeating unit E is within the above range. Polymer 2 may contain only one repeating unit E, or it may contain two or more repeating units E. When it contains two or more repeating units E, the content of repeating units E mentioned above refers to the total content of repeating units E.

[0149] When polymer 2 has repeating unit F, the content of repeating unit F is preferably 5.0 to 40.0% by mass, more preferably 10.0 to 30.0% by mass, relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) of polymer 2. Polymer 2 may contain only one repeating unit F, or it may contain two or more repeating units F. When it contains two or more repeating units F, the content of repeating units F refers to the total content of repeating units F.

[0150] <Content> The content of polymer 2 relative to the total solid content (100 parts by mass) of the liquid crystal composition is preferably 0.005 to 1.500 parts by mass, more preferably 0.007 to 1.200 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.010 to 1.000 parts by mass. The better the effect of the present invention, the more the content of polymer 2 is within the above range. The content of polymer 2 is preferably 0.005 to 1.450 parts by mass relative to the total amount (100 parts by mass) of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance in the liquid crystal composition, more preferably 0.008 to 1.300 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.010 to 1.250 parts by mass. The better the effect of the present invention, the more the content of polymer 2 is within the above range.

[0151] <Molecular weight> From the viewpoint of achieving better results from the present invention, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of polymer 2 is preferably 2,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably 3,000 to 200,000, and even more preferably 5,000 to 80,000. Mw for polymer 2 is calculated using the same method as for polymer 1.

[0152] [A1 / A2] From the viewpoint of superior orientation, the ratio represented by A1 / A2 is preferably greater than 1, more preferably 1.1 or more, even more preferably 1.2 or more, and especially preferably 1.3 or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of being able to further suppress the generation of planar inhomogeneity, it is preferably 8.0 or less, more preferably 7.50 or less, and even more preferably 7.0 or less. Additionally, A1 [unit: mass%] refers to the content of repeating unit A contained in polymer 1 relative to all repeating units possessed by polymer 1. Furthermore, A2 [unit: mass%] refers to the content of repeating unit A contained in polymer 2 relative to all repeating units possessed by polymer 2.

[0153] [X1 and X2] In this invention, when the content of silicon atoms contained in polymer 1, which is 100 parts by mass relative to the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition, is set as X1 parts by mass, and the content of silicon atoms contained in polymer 2 is set as X2 parts by mass, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1 or more.

[0154] Here, X1 (unit: parts by mass) is calculated as follows. X1 = [Content of polymer 1 relative to the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition (100 parts by mass)] × [Content of repeating units having silicon atoms relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) of polymer 1 / 100] × [Content of silicon atoms relative to the total mass (100% by mass) of the monomers corresponding to the repeating units having silicon atoms / 100] Furthermore, X2 (unit: parts by mass) is calculated in the same way as X1, except that polymer 2 is used instead of polymer 1.

[0155] When using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention to obtain a light absorption anisotropic film with horizontal orientation for display, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is preferably greater than 1, more preferably 1.10 or more, even more preferably 1.370 or more, particularly preferably 3.000 or more, and preferably 41.32 or less, more preferably 25.000 or less, and even more preferably 15.000 or less. A ratio of X1 / X2 greater than 1 indicates superior planarity and orientation. Furthermore, a ratio of X1 / X2 less than 41.32 indicates even better planarity and orientation.

[0156] When using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention to obtain a light absorption anisotropic film with vertical orientation for display, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is preferably greater than 1, more preferably 1.10 or more, even more preferably 2.000 or more, particularly preferably 4.000 or more, and preferably 79.34 or less, more preferably 50.000 or less, and even more preferably 30.000 or less. A ratio of X1 / X2 greater than 1 indicates superior planarity and orientation. Furthermore, a ratio of X1 / X2 below 79.34 indicates even better planarity and orientation.

[0157] When using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention to obtain a light absorption anisotropic film with horizontal orientation for display, from the viewpoint of having better effects than the present invention, X1 is preferably 0.0016 to 0.057 parts by mass, more preferably 0.0040 to 0.0500 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.0100 to 0.0450 parts by mass. When using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention to obtain a light absorption anisotropic film with horizontal orientation for display, from the viewpoint of having better effects than the present invention, X2 is preferably 0.0013 to 0.0500 parts by mass, more preferably 0.0030 to 0.0500 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.0040 to 0.0300 parts by mass.

[0158] When using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention to obtain a light absorption anisotropic film with vertical orientation for display, from the viewpoint of having better effects than the present invention, X1 is preferably 0.0027 to 0.0546 parts by mass, more preferably 0.0055 to 0.0400 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.0100 to 0.0500 parts by mass. When using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention to obtain a light absorption anisotropic film with vertical orientation for display, from the viewpoint of having better effects than the present invention, X2 is preferably 0.0006 to 0.0437 parts by mass, more preferably 0.0010 to 0.0300 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.0020 to 0.0200 parts by mass.

[0159] [Other ingredients] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain components other than the liquid crystal compound, dichroic substance, polymer 1 and polymer 2 described above (hereinafter also referred to as "other components"). Other components include, for example, orientation agents, polymerization initiators, and solvents.

[0160] <Orientation Agent> The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain an alignment agent. Examples of alignment agents include boric acid compounds and onium salts. Boric acid compounds function as either horizontal or vertical alignment agents. Onium salts function as vertical alignment agents. Alignment agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0161] As a boric acid compound, the compound represented by formula (30) is preferred.

[0162] Equation (30) [Chemical Formula 27]

[0163] In equation (30), R 1 and R 2 Each of the following can be independently represented: a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group. R 3 This indicates a substituent containing a (meth)acryloyl group. As a specific example of boric acid compounds, one can cite the boric acid compounds represented by general formula (I) as described in paragraphs 0023 to 0032 of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-225281. The following compounds are also preferred as boric acid compounds.

[0164] [Chemical Formula 28]

[0165] Specific examples of onium salts include those described in paragraphs 0052 to 0058 of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-208397, those described in paragraphs 0024 to 0055 of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-026730, and those described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-37777.

[0166] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains an alignment agent, the content of the alignment agent relative to the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition is preferably 0.01 to 30 parts by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 10 parts by mass.

[0167] <Polymerization Initiator> The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain a polymerization initiator. There are no particular limitations on the polymerization initiator, but a photosensitive compound, i.e., a photopolymerization initiator, is preferred. As photopolymerization initiators, a wide variety of compounds can be used without particular restriction. Examples of photopolymerization initiators include α-carbonyl compounds (as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,367,661 and 2,367,670), azobin ethers (as described in U.S. Patent No. 2,448,828), α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic azobin compounds (as described in U.S. Patent No. 2,722,512), polynuclear quinone compounds (as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,046,127 and 2,951,758), and combinations of triarylimidazolium dimers and p-aminophenyl ketones (as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,549,367). ), acridine and phenazine compounds (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 60-105667, US Patent No. 4239850), oxadiazole compounds (US Patent No. 4212970), o-acyl oxime compounds (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-27384

[0065] ), and acylphosphine oxide compounds (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-40799, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-29234, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-95788 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-29997), etc. Commercially available products can also be used as photopolymerization initiators, such as IRGACURE 184, IRGACURE 907, IRGACURE 369, IRGACURE 651, IRGACURE 819, IRGACURE OXE-01 and IRGACURE OXE-02 manufactured by BASF. Polymerization initiators can be used alone or in combination with two or more.

[0168] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains a polymerization initiator, the content of the polymerization initiator relative to the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition is preferably 0.01 to 30 parts by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 15 parts by mass.

[0169] <Solvent> From the viewpoint of operability, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains a solvent. Examples of solvents include ketones (e.g., acetone, 2-butanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanone), ethers (e.g., dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, dioxolane, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, and cyclopentylmethyl ether), aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., hexane), alicyclic hydrocarbons (e.g., cyclohexane), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene, and trimethylbenzene), carbon halogens (e.g., dichloromethane, chloroform, dichloroethane, dichlorobenzene, and chlorotoluene), and esters (e.g., ethyl acetate). Organic solvents such as methyl esters, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, diethyl carbonate, etc., alcohols (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, cyclohexanol, etc.), cellosolvers (e.g., methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane, etc.), cellosolve acetates, sulfoxides (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide, etc.), amides (e.g., dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, N-ethylpyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolium ketone, etc.), and heterocyclic compounds (e.g., pyridine, etc.) and water are permitted. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Of these solvents, organic solvents are preferred for the sake of superior performance of the present invention, and halogenated carbons or ketones are more preferred.

[0170] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains a solvent, the solvent content relative to the total mass of the liquid crystal composition is preferably 70 to 99% by mass, more preferably 83 to 97% by mass, and even more preferably 85 to 95% by mass.

[0171] [Anisotropic light absorption film] The light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present invention is a light-absorbing anisotropic film (light-absorbing anisotropic layer) formed using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention described above. There are no particular limitations on the method for manufacturing the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present invention. However, considering that the degree of orientation of the obtained light-absorbing anisotropic film is higher, it is preferable to include the following steps in sequence (hereinafter also referred to as "the manufacturing method of the present invention"): a step of coating the above-described liquid crystal composition onto an alignment film to form a coating film (hereinafter also referred to as "coating film forming step"); and a step of aligning the liquid crystal components contained in the above-described coating film (hereinafter also referred to as "alignment step"). In addition, the liquid crystal component contains not only the aforementioned liquid crystal compound, but also dichroic substances with liquid crystal properties. The following is a description of each process.

[0172] [Coating film formation process] The coating film formation process is a process of coating the above-mentioned liquid crystal composition onto the alignment film to form a coating film. By using a liquid crystal composition containing the above-mentioned solvent, or by using a substance that forms a liquid liquid such as a molten liquid by heating, it is easy to coat the alignment film with the liquid crystal composition. Commonly known methods for coating liquid crystal compositions include roller coating, gravure printing, spin coating, wire rod coating, extrusion coating, direct gravure coating, reverse gravure coating, die coating, spray coating, and inkjet coating.

[0173] <Orientation film> Alignment films can be formed by friction treatment of the film surface with organic compounds (preferably polymers), tilting deposition of inorganic compounds, formation of layers with microgrooves, or accumulation of organic compounds (e.g., ω-trisanoic acid, dioctadecylmethylammonium chloride, methyl stearate, etc.) based on the Langmuir-Blodgett method (LB film). Furthermore, alignment films that acquire alignment functionality through the application of an electric field, a magnetic field, or light irradiation are also known. In this invention, from the viewpoint of easy control of the pretilt angle of the alignment film, an alignment film formed by friction treatment is preferred; from the viewpoint of alignment uniformity, a photo-alignment film formed by light irradiation is also preferred.

[0174] (Friction-treated orientation film) Polymer materials used in alignment films formed by friction processing are described in numerous documents, and various commercially available products are readily available. In this invention, polyvinyl alcohol or polyimide and its derivatives are preferably used. Regarding the alignment film, refer to the description on page 43, line 24 to page 49, line 8 of International Publication No. 2001 / 88574A1. The thickness of the alignment film is preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm.

[0175] (Photoalignment film) Photoalignment materials for alignment films formed by light irradiation have been described in numerous documents. In this invention, preferred examples include, for instance, Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006-285197, 2007-76839, 2007-138138, 2007-94071, 2007-121721, 2007-140465, 2007-156439, 2007-133184, 2009-109831, Japanese Patent Nos. 3883848, and 4151746. Nitrogen compounds, aromatic ester compounds described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-229039, maleimides having photo-orientation units and / or alkenyl-substituted nadicimide compounds described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-265541 and No. 2002-317013, photocrosslinkable silane derivatives described in Japanese Patent Nos. 4205195 and 4205198, photocrosslinkable polyimides, polyamides, or esters described in Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003-520878, 2004-529220, or 4162850. More preferably, azo compounds, photocrosslinkable polyimides, polyamides, or esters.

[0176] The photo-alignment film is manufactured by irradiating the photo-alignment film formed from the above materials with linearly polarized light or unpolarized light. In this specification, "linearly polarized light irradiation" and "unpolarized light irradiation" refer to operations used to induce a photoreaction in a photo-alignment material. The wavelength of the light used varies depending on the photo-alignment material used, and is not particularly limited as long as it is the wavelength required for the photoreaction. The peak wavelength of the light used in the irradiation is preferably 200 nm to 700 nm, and more preferably ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength of 400 nm or less.

[0177] Light sources used in illumination can include commonly used light sources such as tungsten lamps, halogen lamps, xenon lamps, xenon flash lamps, mercury lamps, mercury-xenon lamps, and carbon arc lamps, as well as various lasers [such as semiconductor lasers, helium-neon lasers, argon-ion lasers, helium-cadmium lasers, and YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers], light-emitting diodes, and cathode ray tubes.

[0178] Methods for obtaining linearly polarized light include using polarizers (e.g., iodine polarizers, dichroic material polarizers, and wire-grid polarizers), using prism-like elements (e.g., Glan-Thomson prisms), using reflective polarizers with Brewster angles, or using light emitted from a laser source with polarized light. Furthermore, filters or wavelength conversion elements can be used to selectively illuminate only the desired wavelength.

[0179] When the irradiated light is linearly polarized, a method is employed where the light is irradiated perpendicularly or obliquely from the top or back surface of the alignment film relative to its surface. The incident angle of the light varies depending on the photoalignment material, but is preferably 0–90° (perpendicular), and more preferably 40–90°. In the case of unpolarized light, unpolarized light is irradiated at an angle towards the alignment film. The incident angle is preferably 10–80°, more preferably 20–60°, and even more preferably 30–50°. The irradiation time is preferably 1 minute to 60 minutes, more preferably 1 minute to 10 minutes.

[0180] When patterning is required, the method of applying light through a photomask to create the pattern the required number of times can be used, or the pattern can be written by laser scanning.

[0181] [Orientation process] The alignment process is a process of orienting the dichroic material contained in the coated film. This allows the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present invention to be obtained. It is understood that in the alignment process, the dichroic material is aligned along the liquid crystal compound oriented through the alignment film. The orientation process can also include a drying process. This drying process removes components such as solvents from the coated film. The drying process can be performed by placing the coated film at room temperature for a specified time (e.g., natural drying), or by heating and / or air supply. Here, the dichroic substances contained in the liquid crystal composition are sometimes oriented through the above-described coating film formation process or drying treatment. For example, sometimes in the process of preparing the liquid crystal composition into a coating liquid containing a solvent, the solvent is removed from the coating film by drying the coating film, and the dichroic substances contained in the coating film are oriented to obtain the light absorption anisotropic film of the present invention.

[0182] The orientation process preferably includes heat treatment. This further orients the dichroic substances contained in the coated film, resulting in a higher degree of orientation of the obtained anisotropic light-absorbing film. From the viewpoint of manufacturing suitability, the heat treatment is preferably 10–250°C, more preferably 25–190°C. Furthermore, the heating time is preferably 1–300 seconds, more preferably 1–60 seconds.

[0183] The orientation process may also include a cooling process performed after heat treatment. The cooling process involves cooling the heated coated film to approximately room temperature (20–25°C). This further fixes the orientation of the dichroic substances contained in the coated film, and the degree of orientation of the resulting anisotropic light-absorbing film becomes higher. There are no particular limitations on the cooling method; it can be implemented using known methods. Through the above processes, the light absorption anisotropic film of the present invention can be obtained.

[0184] [Other processes] This manufacturing method may include a step (hereinafter also referred to as the "curing step") after the above-mentioned orientation step to cure the light-absorbing anisotropic film. The curing process is carried out, for example, by heating and / or light exposure (exposure). Preferably, the curing process is carried out by light exposure. The light source used for curing can be various light sources such as infrared, visible light, or ultraviolet light, with ultraviolet light being preferred. Furthermore, ultraviolet light can be irradiated while heating is being performed during curing, or ultraviolet light can be irradiated through a filter that allows only specific wavelengths to be transmitted. Furthermore, exposure can be performed under a nitrogen atmosphere. In the case of curing anisotropic light-absorbing films via free radical polymerization, the polymerization hindrance caused by oxygen can be reduced, therefore exposure under a nitrogen atmosphere is preferred.

[0185] There is no particular limitation on the thickness of the light-absorbing anisotropic film, but from the viewpoint of achieving better results in this invention, it is preferably 0.3 to 10 μm, and more preferably 0.5 to 9 μm.

[0186] The orientation states of the liquid crystal compound and dichroic material contained in the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present invention are fixed. As one embodiment of the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present invention, an example is provided where the angle θ (hereinafter also simply referred to as "transmittance center axis angle θ") between the transmittance central axis of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the normal direction of the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film is greater than 45° and less than 90°, more preferably 75° or more and less than 90°, and even more preferably 80° or more and less than 90°. A laminate having a light-absorbing anisotropic film (polarizer) with a transmittance central axis angle θ of more than 45° and less than 90° and a λ / 4 plate (described later) is preferably used as a circular polarizer.

[0187] As another aspect of the light absorption anisotropic film of the present invention, an example is that the transmittance central axis angle θ is 0° or more and 45° or less, more preferably 0° or more and 35° or less, and even more preferably 0° or more and less than 35°. A laminate containing a light-absorbing anisotropic film with a transmittance center axis angle θ of 0° or more and 45° or less and a polarizer having an absorption axis in the plane can be preferably used as a viewing angle control film.

[0188] Here, the transmittance center axis refers to the direction that represents the highest transmittance when measuring transmittance by changing the slope angle (polar angle) and slope direction (azimuth angle) relative to the normal direction of the light absorption anisotropic film surface. Specifically, the Mueller matrix at a wavelength of 550 nm was measured using an AxoScan OPMF-1 (manufactured by Opto Science, Inc.). More specifically, when measuring transmittance, the azimuth angle at which the transmittance central axis is tilted was first determined. Then, in a plane containing the normal direction of the light absorption anisotropic film along that azimuth angle (a plane containing the transmittance central axis and orthogonal to the film surface), the polar angle relative to the normal direction of the light absorption anisotropic film surface was varied by -70 to 70° for every 1°, while simultaneously measuring the Mueller matrix at a wavelength of 550 nm, thus deriving the transmittance of the light absorption anisotropic film. The direction with the highest transmittance was then designated as the transmittance central axis. In addition, the transmittance center axis refers to the direction of the absorption axis (long axis direction of the molecule) of the dichroic substance contained in the anisotropic light absorption film.

[0189] The transmittance center axis angle θ can be set to the desired value by adjusting the type and content of the orientation agent, for example.

[0190] [Layered Body] The laminate of the present invention has a light-absorbing anisotropic film, which can be disposed on a substrate. Furthermore, when the laminate of the present invention has a substrate, an alignment film can be provided between the substrate and the light-absorbing anisotropic film. The components constituting the laminate of the present invention will be described below.

[0191] [Substrate] As the substrate, a transparent support is preferred. Furthermore, a transparent support refers to a support with a visible light transmittance of 60% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more. As a transparent support, known transparent resin films, transparent resin sheets, transparent resin plates, etc. can be used, but there are no particular limitations. As transparent resin films, cellulose acylate films (e.g., cellulose triacetate film (refractive index 1.48), cellulose diacetate film, cellulose acetate butyrate film, cellulose acetate propionate film), polyethylene terephthalate film, polyethersulfone film, polyacrylic resin film, polyurethane resin film, polyester film, polycarbonate film, polysulfone film, polyether film, polymethylpentene film, polyetherketone film, (meth)acrylonitrile film, etc. can be used.

[0192] Preferably, the cellulose acylate film is a protective film with high transparency, low optical birefringence, easy manufacturing and commonly used as a polarizer, and more preferably, a cellulose triacetate film. The thickness of the substrate is typically 20–100 μm. In this invention, it is particularly preferred that the substrate is a cellulose ester membrane with a thickness of 20 to 70 μm.

[0193] [Anisotropic light absorption film] Regarding the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present invention, as described above, its description is therefore omitted.

[0194] [Orientation film] Regarding the alignment film (alignment layer), as described above, its explanation is omitted.

[0195] [λ / 4 board] One preferred embodiment of the laminate of the present invention is a laminate comprising an anisotropic light-absorbing film (in particular, an anisotropic light-absorbing film with a transmittance central axis angle θ exceeding 45° and less than 90°) and a λ / 4 plate. Such a laminate (optical film) is preferably used as a circular polarizer.

[0196] A λ / 4 plate refers to a plate with λ / 4 functionality; specifically, it is a plate that can convert linearly polarized light of a specific wavelength into circularly polarized light (or vice versa). For example, as a single-layer structure of the λ / 4 plate, examples include extended polymer films or phase retardation films with λ / 4 function light absorption anisotropy films disposed on a support. As a multi-layer structure of the λ / 4 plate, examples include broadband λ / 4 plates formed by stacking λ / 4 plates and λ / 2 plates. The λ / 4 plate and the anisotropic light-absorbing film can be in contact, or other layers can be disposed between the λ / 4 plate and the anisotropic light-absorbing film. Examples of such layers include adhesive layers or bonding layers and barrier layers for ensuring airtightness.

[0197] [Polarizer] As another preferred embodiment of the laminate of the present invention, an embodiment having anisotropic light absorption film (in particular, anisotropic light absorption film with a transmittance central axis angle θ of 0° or more and 45° or less) and a polarizer having an absorption axis in the plane can be cited. Such a laminate (optical film) can preferably be used as a viewing angle control film for viewing angle control. The polarizer is preferably disposed on the side of the light-absorbing anisotropic film opposite to the substrate. The polarizer can be configured to contact the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film, or it can be disposed on the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film via other layers (e.g., known adhesive layers or bonding layers).

[0198] A polarizer is not particularly limited as long as it is a component with an absorption axis in plane and the function of converting light into linearly polarized light. Conventionally known polarizers can be used. Iodine-based polarizers, dye-based polarizers utilizing dichroic dyes, and polyene-based polarizers can be used. Iodine-based polarizers and dye-based polarizers include coated polarizers and stretched polarizers, both of which can be applied. As a polarizer, a polarizer that orients dichroic organic pigments by utilizing the orientation of liquid crystal compounds is preferred. As a stretching polarizer, a polarizer made by adsorbing iodine or dichroic dyes onto polyvinyl alcohol and stretching it is preferred. For example, the light absorption anisotropic film described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-152351, which does not contain a liquid crystal compound but contains a dichroic pigment compound with horizontal orientation (the direction intersecting the thickness direction of the light absorption anisotropic film), and the light absorption anisotropic film described in International Publication No. 2017 / 154907, which contains a liquid crystal compound and a dichroic pigment compound with horizontal orientation, can be cited.

[0199] [Blocking layer] The laminate of the present invention preferably has a blocking layer together with the light-absorbing anisotropic film. Here, the barrier layer is also called the gas barrier layer (oxygen barrier layer), which has the function of protecting the polarization element of the present invention from the influence of gases such as oxygen in the atmosphere, moisture or compounds contained in adjacent layers. For the purpose of further improving durability, the laminate of the present invention preferably has an oxygen permeability coefficient of 200 cc / m in the adjacent layers of the light-absorbing anisotropic film. 2 For barrier layers with a day-atm or less, a permeability coefficient of 50 cc / m is more preferable. 2 A barrier layer below day·atm. Furthermore, in adjacent layers of the light-absorbing anisotropic film, if the oxygen permeability coefficient is 200 cc / m outside the aforementioned barrier layer... 2 For layers below day·atm, a blocking layer is not required. Here, the oxygen permeability coefficient is an indicator that represents the amount of oxygen passing through the membrane per unit time and per unit area. In this invention, the value is obtained by measuring the oxygen concentration using an oxygen concentration device (e.g., a MODEL3600 manufactured by Hach UltraAnalytics, Inc.) under an environment of 25°C and 50% relative humidity (RH).

[0200] From the perspective of high oxygen barrier function, organic compounds included in the barrier layer can be categorized as polymeric compounds with high hydrogen bonding and compounds with a high number of polymeric groups per molecular weight. Examples of compounds with a high number of polymeric groups per unit molecular weight include pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate or dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate.

[0201] Examples of polymerizable compounds with high hydrogen bonding include epoxides, and more specifically, compounds represented by the following formulas, with 3',4'-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate represented by CEL2021P being preferred.

[0202] [Chemical Formula 29]

[0203] From the viewpoint of preventing the diffusion of dichroic pigments in the anisotropic light-absorbing film during durability, polymers with hydrophilic groups as described in International Publication No. 2019-22121

[0056] and water-soluble polymers as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-083843

[0117] to

[0133] are preferred as a barrier layer. In addition, reference can be made to paragraphs

[0014] to

[0054] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-159124, paragraphs

[0042] to

[0075] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-121721, paragraphs

[0045] to

[0054] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-115076, paragraphs

[0010] to

[0061] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-213938, and paragraphs

[0021] to

[0031] of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-169994.

[0204] [Adhesive layer] The laminate of the present invention may or may not have an adhesive layer. Adhesives and adhesives can be cited as examples of adhesives that form the adhesive layer. Examples of adhesives include rubber-based adhesives, acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, urethane adhesives, vinyl alkyl ether adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol adhesives, polyvinylpyrrolidone adhesives, polyacrylamide adhesives, and cellulose adhesives, with acrylic adhesives (pressure-sensitive adhesives) being preferred. Examples of adhesives include polyvinyl alcohol adhesives (water-based paste), solvent-based adhesives, emulsion adhesives, solvent-free adhesives, active energy radiation-cured adhesives, and thermosetting adhesives. Examples of active energy radiation-cured adhesives include electron beam-cured adhesives, ultraviolet-cured adhesives, and visible light-cured adhesives, with ultraviolet-cured adhesives being preferred.

[0205] The thickness of the adhesive layer is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of thinness, it is preferable to be 25 μm or less, more preferably 15 μm or less, and even more preferably 5 μm or less. There is no particular limitation on the lower limit, and it is more common to find thicknesses of 0.1 μm or more.

[0206] From the perspective of simplification and thinning, it is also preferable to have a structure in which the light-absorbing anisotropic film is adjacent to the adhesive layer and the barrier layer is provided with a function to improve the durability of the barrier layer on the adhesive layer. For example, a structure in which the alignment layer / light-absorbing anisotropic film / adhesive layer / phase retardation layer are arranged adjacently can be cited. As the adhesive layer at this time, from the viewpoint of preventing the diffusion of dichroic substances in the anisotropic film that absorbs light during durability, adhesives with polyvinyl alcohol as the main component, UV (ultraviolet) adhesives with low oxygen permeability, and adhesives with polymers containing hydrophilic groups are preferred.

[0207] [Image display device] The display device (image display device) of the present invention includes the above-described light-absorbing anisotropic film (preferably the above-described laminate) and a display element. The light-absorbing anisotropic film and the liquid crystal cell can be stacked using known adhesive layers or bonding layers. The display element used in the display device of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples include liquid crystal cells, organic electroluminescent (hereinafter referred to as "EL") display panels and plasma display panels. Preferably, a liquid crystal cell or an organic EL display panel is used. That is, as the display device of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal cell as a display element or an organic EL display device using an organic EL display panel as a display element is preferred. Image display devices include thin image display devices that can be molded into curved surfaces. The light-absorbing anisotropic film used in this invention is thin and easily bent, therefore it can also be preferably applied to image display devices with curved display surfaces. Furthermore, there are image display devices with pixel densities exceeding 250 ppi that are capable of high-definition display. The light-absorbing anisotropic film used in this invention is also preferably applied to such high-definition image display devices as it can avoid generating interference ripples.

[0208] [Liquid Crystal Display Device] As an example of the display device of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device is preferably provided that has the above-described viewing angle control film and liquid crystal cell. As a specific structure, there are structures in which the viewing angle control film is disposed on the front polarizer or the rear polarizer. In these structures, viewing angle control can be performed to block light in the vertical or horizontal directions. Furthermore, viewing angle control films can be configured on both the front and rear polarizers. With this structure, viewing angle control can be achieved by blocking light from all directions while allowing light to pass through only from the front direction. Furthermore, multiple viewing angle control films can be stacked with a phase retardation layer in between. By controlling the phase difference value and the optical axis direction, transmission performance and light-blocking performance can be controlled. For example, by configuring a polarizer, a viewing angle control film, a λ / 2 wavelength plate (with an axis angle offset by 45° relative to the orientation direction of the polarizer), and a viewing angle control film, viewing angle control can be achieved, allowing light to be transmitted only from the front direction while being blocked from all directions. As the phase retardation layer, positive A-plate, negative A-plate, positive C-plate, negative C-plate, B-plate, O-plate, etc., can be used. From the viewpoint of making the viewing angle control system thinner, the thickness of the phase retardation layer is preferably thinner without compromising optical properties, mechanical properties, and manufacturing applicability. Specifically, it is preferably 1 to 150 μm, more preferably 1 to 70 μm, and even more preferably 1 to 30 μm. The liquid crystal unit that constitutes a liquid crystal display device will be described in detail below.

[0209] <Liquid Crystal Unit> The liquid crystal cells used in the liquid crystal display device are preferably in VA (Vertical Alignment) mode, OCB (Optically Compensated Bend) mode, IPS (In-Plane-Switching) mode, or TN (Twisted Nematic) mode, but are not limited to these. In TN mode liquid crystal cells, the rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are essentially horizontally oriented when no voltage is applied, and then twisted to an orientation of 60–120°. TN mode liquid crystal cells are most commonly used in color TFT liquid crystal display devices, and are documented in most literature. In a VA-mode liquid crystal cell, the rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are substantially vertically oriented when no voltage is applied. In addition to (1) a narrow VA-mode liquid crystal cell in which the rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are substantially vertically oriented when no voltage is applied and substantially horizontally oriented when a voltage is applied (described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-176625), VA-mode liquid crystal cells also include: (2) a liquid crystal cell in which the VA mode is multi-domain-oriented (MVA mode) in order to expand the viewing angle (described in SID97, Digest oftech.Papers (Proceedings) 28 (1997) 845), (3) a liquid crystal cell in which the rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are substantially vertically oriented when no voltage is applied and twisted multi-domain orientation when a voltage is applied (n-ASM mode) (described in Proceedings of the Japan Liquid Crystal Conference 58-59 (1998)), and (4) a SURVIVAL mode liquid crystal cell (published at LCD International 98). Furthermore, it can be any of the following types: PVA (Patterned Vertical Alignment), Optical Alignment, and PSA (Polymer-Sustained Alignment). Detailed information about these types can be found in Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006-215326 and 2008-538819.

[0210] In IPS-mode liquid crystal cells, the liquid crystal compound is substantially parallel to the substrate, and the liquid crystal molecules respond planarly by applying an electric field parallel to the substrate surface. That is, the liquid crystal compound is in-plane aligned when no electric field is applied. IPS mode displays black when no electric field is applied, and the absorption axes of the upper and lower polarizers are orthogonal. Methods for reducing light leakage and improving viewing angle when displaying black in the tilt direction using optical compensation sheets are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publications Nos. 10-54982, 11-202323, 9-292522, 11-133408, 11-305217, and 10-307291.

[0211] [Organic EL display device] As an example of the display device of the present invention, an organic EL display device may preferably be provided in a manner in which the above-described circular polarizer and organic EL display panel are arranged sequentially from the visual recognition side. In this case, a substrate, a light-absorbing anisotropic film, and a λ / 4 plate are arranged sequentially from the visual recognition side. Furthermore, an organic EL display panel is a display panel constructed using organic EL elements formed by sandwiching an organic light-emitting layer (organic electroluminescent layer) between electrodes (between the cathode and the anode). There are no particular restrictions on the structure of an organic EL display panel, and known structures can be used.

[0212] [Reflective linear polarizer] The image display device of the present invention can include a reflective linear polarizer. The reflective linear polarizer reflects a portion of the light emitted from the image display panel and causes it to oscillate within the optical system. From the viewpoint of suppressing stray light and ghosting, the reflective linear polarizer is preferably a polarizer with a high degree of polarization. As a reflective linear polarizer, a film polarizer and a wire grid polarizer, such as the one described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-053705, which is formed by stretching a dielectric multilayer film, can be used. As commercially available products, reflective polarizers (trade names APF, IQPE) manufactured by 3M Company and wire grid polarizers (trade name WGF) manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation can be used appropriately.

[0213] Virtual reality display device As an example of the display device of the present invention, the first embodiment of the virtual reality display device is as follows: it sequentially includes an image display panel, a first absorptive linear polarizer (light-absorbing anisotropic film), a first phase difference layer, a second phase difference layer, a reflective linear polarizer, a third phase difference layer, a half-reflective mirror, and a second absorptive linear polarizer (light-absorbing anisotropic film). As a second approach, a virtual reality display device is provided, comprising, in sequence, an image display panel, a first absorptive linear polarizer, a first phase difference layer, a semi-reflective mirror, a reflective circular polarizer, a second phase difference layer, and a second absorptive linear polarizer. As a third approach, a virtual reality display device is provided, comprising, in sequence, an image display panel, a first absorptive linear polarizer, a first phase difference layer, a semi-reflective mirror, a second phase difference layer, a reflective linear polarizer, and a second absorptive linear polarizer. Furthermore, it is also preferable to have a fourth phase difference layer on the visual recognition side of the second absorption-type linear polarizer.

[0214] The virtual reality display device of the present invention can use a curved substrate in the shape of a lens as a substrate (e.g., Figure 1 The component between the second phase difference layer 12 and the semi-reflective mirror 40. At this point, the light-absorbing anisotropic film or laminate of the present invention can be processed into a three-dimensional curved surface for use. Figure 1This is a side view schematically illustrating one embodiment of the virtual reality display device of the present invention. Figure 1 The virtual reality display device 100 includes, from the visual recognition side, a second absorptive linear polarizer 22, a second phase difference layer 12, a semi-reflective mirror 40, an anti-reflective layer 50, a reflective circular polarizer 30, a positive C-plate 60, a first phase difference layer 11, a first absorptive linear polarizer 21, a third phase difference layer 13, and an image display panel 70. Example

[0215] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. The materials, amounts, proportions, processing contents, and processing order shown in the following embodiments can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the embodiments shown below.

[0216] [Example 1-1] The surface of a cellulose acylated membrane (60 μm thick TAC substrate; TG60 FUJIFILM Corporation) was saponified with an alkaline solution, and the following alignment film forming composition P1 was coated onto it using a wire rod. The support with the coated film was dried with warm air at 60°C for 60 seconds, and then with warm air at 100°C for 120 seconds to form the alignment film P1. Next, a friction treatment was performed (roller speed: 1000 rpm / spacer thickness 1.8 mm, stage speed 1.8 m / min) to obtain a film with the alignment film P1. The thickness of the alignment film P1 is 1 μm.

[0217] ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― (Composition P1 for forming orientation film) ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Modified polyvinyl alcohol PVA-1 3.80 parts by weight ·IRGACURE2959 0.20 parts by weight 70.00 parts by weight of water ·Methanol 30.00 parts by weight ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

[0218] Modified polyvinyl alcohol PVA-1 [Chemical Formula 30]

[0219] [Fabrication of anisotropic light-absorbing films] The following light-absorbing anisotropic film forming composition (liquid crystal composition) 1-1 was continuously coated onto the obtained alignment film P1 using a wire rod. After heating at 140°C for 30 seconds, it was cooled to room temperature (23°C). Next, it was heated at 85°C for 40 seconds and cooled again to room temperature. Then, an LED (light emitting diode) lamp (center wavelength 365nm) was used at an illuminance of 200mW / cm². 2 The film was irradiated for 2 seconds under the specified irradiation conditions, thereby fixing the orientation state of the liquid crystal compound and dichroic material in the film. An anisotropic light-absorbing film 1-1 was then stacked on the alignment film P1. The thickness of the anisotropic light-absorbing film 1-1 was 1.0 μm.

[0220] ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Composition of composition 1-1 for forming anisotropic light-absorbing films ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― • 51.900 parts by weight of the following liquid crystal compound L1 • 20.760 parts by weight of the following liquid crystal compound L5 • 0.727 parts by mass of the following dichroic substance Y1 • 4.671 parts by mass of the following dichroic substance M1 • 18.684 parts by mass of the following dichroic substance C1 • Polymerization initiator I1 (IRGACUREOXE-02, manufactured by BASF) 3.010 parts by weight • 0.083 parts by weight of polymer A1 (polymer 1) • 0.166 parts by weight of polymer B1 (polymer 2) ·Tetrahydrofuran 190,000 parts by weight · Cyclopentanone 1710,000 parts by weight ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

[0221] [Chemical Formula 31]

[0222] The values ​​enclosed in parentheses for each repeating unit above represent the content (mass%) of each repeating unit relative to all repeating units present in each polymer. Furthermore, Mw is the weight-average molecular weight. In addition, liquid crystal compound L1 is a high molecular weight liquid crystal compound, while liquid crystal compound L5 is a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound.

[0223] [Creating the barrier layer] The blocking composition was continuously coated onto the light-absorbing anisotropic film 1-1 using a wire rod. Then, it was dried at 80°C and irradiated for 2 seconds using an LED lamp (center wavelength 365 nm) at an illuminance of 200 mW / cm², thereby obtaining a laminate H1 with a blocking layer BA1 formed thereon. The thickness of the blocking layer was 1.0 μm.

[0224] ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Composition BA1 for forming barrier layer ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― • 3.8 parts by weight of the above modified polyvinyl alcohol PVA-1 ·IRGACURE2959 0.20 parts by weight 70.00 parts by weight of water ·Methanol 30.00 parts by weight ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

[0225] [Examples 1-2 to 1-10, Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-2] The composition of the light absorption anisotropic film forming composition (liquid crystal composition) 1-1 was changed to the composition shown in Table 1 below, and the type of alignment film was set as shown in Table 1 below. Otherwise, in the same manner as Example 1-1, each laminate of Examples 1-2 to 1-10 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-2 was obtained. The following shows the method for fabricating the alignment film P2.

[0226] [Orientation film P2] The following alignment film forming composition P2 was coated onto a cellulose acylate film (60 μm thick TAC substrate; TG60 FUJIFILM Corporation) using a wire rod. The coated cellulose acylate film was dried with warm air at 140°C for 120 seconds to form alignment film P2. Next, the coating was irradiated with polarized ultraviolet light (10 mJ / cm², using an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp), thereby obtaining a film with an optically aligned film. The thickness of alignment film P1 was 1.5 μm. ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― (Composition P2 for orientation film formation) ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― • 100.00 parts by weight of the following polymer P2 • Acid-generating agent PAG-1 (manufactured by SANSHIN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.) 12.00 parts by weight • DIPEA (N,N-diisopropylethylamine) 0.6 parts by weight · 665.00 parts by weight of methyl ethyl ketone 166.00 parts by weight of butyl acetate ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

[0227] Polymer P2 [Chemical Formula 32]

[0228]

[0229] The following is a summary of the components represented by symbols in Table 1, excluding those already shown. Additionally, the values ​​in parentheses for each repeating unit indicate the content (mass %) of each repeating unit relative to all repeating units present in each polymer. In addition, liquid crystal compounds L2 to L4 are high molecular weight liquid crystal compounds, while liquid crystal compounds L6 to L12 are low molecular weight liquid crystal compounds.

[0230] [Chemical Formula 33]

[0231] [Chemical Formula 34]

[0232] [Chemical Formula 35]

[0233] [Chemical Formula 36]

[0234] [Chemical Formula 37]

[0235] [Chemical Formula 38]

[0236] [Evaluation Test] [Face] The laminates of the examples and comparative examples were arranged on a polarizer in an orthogonal Nicol configuration and observed. The laminates were rotated in a horizontal plane to confirm the light and dark states. The unevenness of the coating composition for forming anisotropic light-absorbing films was confirmed based on the light and dark states. The results are shown in Table 1 below. A: No unevenness was observed when visually inspecting the whole structure. B: Localized weak unevenness was observed visually. C: Localized uneven intensity observed visually D: Strong unevenness was observed when visually inspecting the whole structure.

[0237] [Orientation Degree] With a linear polarizer inserted on the light source side of an optical microscope (Nikon Corporation, product name "ECLIPSE E600 POL"), the laminates of the examples and comparative examples were assembled on the sample stage. Using a multi-channel spectrometer (Ocean Optics, product name "QE65000"), the absorbance of the anisotropic films in the wavelength region of 380 nm to 780 nm was measured at 1 nm intervals. The orientation degree in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm was calculated using the following formula. Based on the obtained orientation degree, the orientation degree was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1 below. Orientation degree: S = ((Az0 / Ay0) - 1) / ((Az0 / Ay0) + 2) In the above formula, "Az0" represents the absorbance of polarized light in the direction of the absorption axis of the anisotropic light-absorbing film, and "Ay0" represents the absorbance of polarized light in the direction of the transmission axis of the anisotropic light-absorbing film. A: 0.95 or more B: 0.91 or higher and less than 0.95 C: less than 0.91 Furthermore, the layer structures other than the anisotropic light-absorbing film of the laminate do not have absorption in the range of 400–700 nm. Therefore, the orientation degree calculated above can be replaced by the value of the anisotropic light-absorbing film of the laminate.

[0238] [Transmittance center axis angle θ] Using the laminates of the examples and comparative examples, the transmittance central axis angle θ was measured by the above method. As a result, the transmittance central axis angle θ of the laminates of the examples and comparative examples were all in the range of 80 to 90°. Furthermore, the layers other than the anisotropic light absorption film in the laminate do not have anisotropic absorption. Therefore, the transmittance central axis angle θ calculated above can be replaced by the value of the anisotropic light absorption film in the laminate.

[0239] [Table 1]

[0240] [Table 2]

[0241] In Table 1, X1, X2, X1 / X2, and A1 / A2 are defined as described above.

[0242] As shown in Table 1, it is demonstrated that if a liquid crystal composition containing polymer 1 and polymer 2 and X1 / X2 is 1 or more is used, planar inhomogeneity can be suppressed and an anisotropic light absorption film with excellent orientation can be obtained (Examples 1-1 to 1-9). The comparison between Examples 1-1 to 1-8 and Examples 1-9 shows that if A1 / A2 is 7.50 or less, the surface non-uniformity can be further suppressed. The comparison between Examples 1-1 to 1-3, 1-5, 1-7 to 1-9 and Examples 1-4 and 1-6 shows that if X1 / X2 is 1.370 or higher, the surface non-uniformity can be further suppressed. The comparison between Examples 1-1 to 1-5, 1-8, and 1-10 and Examples 1-6 to 1-7 and 1-9 shows that the orientation degree is better when a polymeric liquid crystal compound is used. In contrast, it was shown that when using a liquid crystal composition containing only one repeating unit A of a polymer having the structure represented by formula (A), either the planar inhomogeneity or the degree of orientation was poor (Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-2).

[0243] [Example 2-1] The alignment film P1 used in Example 1-1 without undergoing friction treatment is designated as alignment film P3.

[0244] [Fabrication of the light-absorbing anisotropic film 2-1] The following light-absorbing anisotropic film forming composition 11 was continuously coated onto the obtained oriented film P3 using a wire rod, and then heated at 140°C for 30 seconds, followed by cooling to room temperature (23°C). Next, it was heated at 90°C for 60 seconds and cooled again to room temperature. Afterwards, an LED lamp (center wavelength 365nm) was used at an illuminance of 200mW / cm². 2The film was irradiated for 2 seconds under specific irradiation conditions, thereby fixing the orientation state of the liquid crystal compound and dichroic material in the film, and an anisotropic light-absorbing film 2-1 was fabricated on the alignment film P3. The thickness of the anisotropic light-absorbing film 2-1 is 1.9 μm.

[0245] ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― (Composition 2-1 for forming anisotropic light-absorbing films) ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― • 44.265 parts by mass of the above-mentioned liquid crystal compound L1 • 26.559 parts by mass of the above-mentioned liquid crystal compound L5 • 9.837 parts by mass of the above dichroic substance Y3 • 0.984 parts by mass of the above dichroic substance M3 • 1.967 parts by mass of the above dichroic substance C2 • 10.820 parts by mass of the above dichroic substance C3 • 0.118 parts by weight of polymer A8 (polymer 1) • 0.039 parts by weight of polymer B8 (polymer 2) • 1.476 parts by weight of the following vertical alignment agent G1 • 2.459 parts by weight of the following vertical alignment agent G2 • Polymerization initiator I1 (IRGACUREOXE-02, manufactured by BASF) 1.476 parts by weight Cyclopentanone (CPO) 669.231 parts by weight ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

[0246] [Chemical Formula 39]

[0247] [Creating the barrier layer] By forming a blocking layer BA1 on the above-mentioned light-absorbing anisotropic film 2-1 using the same method as in Example 1-1, a laminate V1 was obtained.

[0248] [Examples 2-2 to 2-3, Comparative Examples 2-1 to 2-2] The composition of the light-absorbing anisotropic film forming composition (liquid crystal composition) 2-1 was changed to the composition shown in Table 2 below. Otherwise, the laminates of Examples 2-2 to 2-3 and Comparative Examples 2-1 to 2-2 were obtained in the same manner as Example 2-1.

[0249] The following is a summary of the components represented by symbols in Table 2, excluding those already shown. Additionally, the values ​​in parentheses for each repeating unit indicate the content (mass %) of each repeating unit relative to all repeating units present in each polymer.

[0250] [Chemical Formula 40]

[0251] [Evaluation Test] [Face] The laminates of the examples and comparative examples were arranged on a polarizer in an orthogonal Nicol configuration and observed. The laminates were rotated in a horizontal plane to confirm the light and dark states. The unevenness of the coating composition for forming anisotropic light-absorbing films was confirmed based on the light and dark states. The results are shown in Table 1 below. A: No unevenness was observed when visually inspecting the whole structure. B: Localized weak unevenness observed visually C: Localized uneven intensity observed visually D: Strong unevenness was observed when visually inspecting the whole structure.

[0252] [Orientation Degree] With a linear polarizer inserted on the light source side of an optical microscope (Nikon Corporation, product name "ECLIPSE E600 POL"), the laminates of the examples and comparative examples were assembled on the sample stage. Using a multi-channel spectrometer (Ocean Optics, product name "QE65000"), the absorbance of the anisotropic films in the wavelength region of 380 nm to 780 nm was measured at 1 nm intervals. The orientation degree in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm was calculated using the following formula. Based on the obtained orientation degree, the orientation degree was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1 below. Orientation degree: S = ((Az0 / Ay0) - 1) / ((Az0 / Ay0) + 2) In the above formula, "Az0" represents the absorbance of polarized light in the direction of the absorption axis of the anisotropic light-absorbing film, and "Ay0" represents the absorbance of polarized light in the direction of the transmission axis of the anisotropic light-absorbing film. A: 0.95 or more B: 0.91 or higher and less than 0.95 C: less than 0.91 Furthermore, the layer structures other than the anisotropic light-absorbing film of the laminate do not have absorption in the range of 400–700 nm. Therefore, the orientation degree calculated above can be replaced by the value of the anisotropic light-absorbing film of the laminate.

[0253] [Transmittance center axis angle θ] Using the laminates of the examples and comparative examples, the transmittance central axis angle θ was measured by the above method. As a result, the transmittance central axis angle θ of the laminates of the examples and comparative examples were all in the range of 0 to 10°. Furthermore, the layers other than the anisotropic light absorption film in the laminate do not have anisotropic absorption. Therefore, the transmittance central axis angle θ calculated above can be replaced by the value of the anisotropic light absorption film in the laminate.

[0254] [Table 3]

[0255] [Table 4]

[0256] In Table 2, X1, X2, X1 / X2, and A1 / A2 are defined as described above.

[0257] As shown in Table 2, it is demonstrated that if a liquid crystal composition containing polymer 1 and polymer 2 and X1 / X2 is 1 or more is used, planar inhomogeneity can be suppressed and an anisotropic light absorption film with excellent orientation can be obtained (Examples 2-1 to 2-3). The comparison between Examples 2-1 to 2-2 and Example 2-3 shows that, in order to obtain a light absorption anisotropy film with vertical orientation, planar inhomogeneity can be further suppressed by having at least one of polymers 1 and 2 having repeating units E that satisfy condition 2 above. In contrast, a difference in at least one of planar inhomogeneity and orientation degree is shown when using a liquid crystal composition containing only a polymer having a repeating unit A having the structure represented by formula (A) (Comparative Examples 2-1 to 2-2). Symbol Explanation

[0258] 100 - Virtual Reality Display Device; 11 - First Phase Difference Layer; 12 - Second Phase Difference Layer; 13 - Third Phase Difference Layer; 21 - First Absorbing Linear Polarizer; 22 - Second Absorbing Linear Polarizer; 30 - Reflective Circular Polarizer; 40 - Semi-Reflective Mirror; 50 - Anti-Reflective Layer; 60 - Positive C-plate; 70 - Image Display Panel.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal composition comprising: Liquid crystal compounds; Dichroic substances; Polymer 1, having a repeating unit A comprising the structure represented by the following formula (A); and Polymer 2, having repeating unit A comprising the structure represented by the following formula (A) and different from polymer 1, In the liquid crystal composition When the content of silicon atoms contained in polymer 1, relative to 100 parts by mass of the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition, is defined as X1 parts by mass, and the content of silicon atoms contained in polymer 2 is defined as X2 parts by mass, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1 or more. [Chemical Formula 1] In formula (A), R A1 and R A2 Each can be used independently to represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. R A3 Indicates a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituent. X represents a substituent containing one or more of the structures represented by formula (a) below. [Chemical Formula 2] In formula (a), Indicates the bonding location, R a1 R a2 and R a3 Each can be independently represented as an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or alkylene aryl group that may have substituents.

2. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein, Let the content of repeating unit A contained in polymer 1, relative to all repeating units possessed by polymer 1, be A1% by mass. When the content of repeating unit A contained in polymer 2 is set as A2 mass% relative to all repeating units possessed by polymer 2, The ratio represented by A1 / A2 is greater than 1.

3. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2, wherein, The ratio represented by A1 / A2 ranges from 1.2 to 7.

50.

4. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, A1 is 30.0% to 75.0% by mass. A2 is 10.0 to 50.0 in mass.

5. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, A1 is 30.0% to 90.0% by mass. A2 has a mass of 5.0 to 65.

0.

6. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The ratio represented by X1 / X2 ranges from 1.10 to 41.

32.

7. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The ratio represented by X1 / X2 ranges from 1.10 to 79.

34.

8. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, X1 is 0.0016 to 0.057 parts by weight. X2 is 0.0013 to 0.0500 parts by mass.

9. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, X1 is 0.0027 to 0.0546 parts by weight. X2 is 0.0006 to 0.0437 parts by mass.

10. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of polymer 1 and polymer 2 has a repeating unit B represented by the following formula (B). [Chemical Formula 3] In formula (B), R B1 R B2 and R B3 Each can independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. R B4 and R B5 Each can independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, in R B4 and R B5 In the case of substituents, R B4 and R B5 They can be connected to form a ring.

11. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of polymer 1 and polymer 2 has a repeating unit D represented by the following formula (D), [Chemical Formula 4] In equation (D), R D1 R D2 and R D3 Each can independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. L D1 Indicates a single bond, -COO-, or -CO-. Sp D1 This refers to a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein one or more non-adjacent -CH2- atoms constituting part of the hydrocarbon group can be independently substituted by -O-, -S-, -NH-, or -N(Q)-, where Q represents a substituent. L D2 and L D3 Each can be used independently to represent a single bond or a divalent linking group. Cy D This indicates a divalent linker group containing a mesocrystalline group. D represents a hydrogen-bonded group composed of hydrogen atoms and nonmetallic atoms from groups 14 to 16, wherein the nonmetallic atoms may have substituents. n represents an integer from 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, multiple L D2 They can be the same or different, multiple Cy D They can be the same or different.

12. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 has both a repeating unit B represented by formula (B) and a repeating unit D represented by formula (D). [Chemical Formula 5] In formula (B), R B1 R B2 and R B3 Each can independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. R B4 and R B5 Each can independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, in R B4 and R B5 In the case of substituents, R B4 and R B5 They can be connected to form a ring. [Chemical Formula 6] In equation (D), R D1 R D2 and R D3 Each can independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. L D1 Indicates a single bond, -COO-, or -CO-. Sp D1 This refers to a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein one or more non-adjacent -CH2- atoms constituting part of the hydrocarbon group can be independently substituted by -O-, -S-, -NH-, or -N(Q)-, where Q represents a substituent. L D2 and L D3 Each can be used independently to represent a single bond or a divalent linking group. Cy D This indicates a divalent linker group containing a mesocrystalline group. D represents a hydrogen-bonded group composed of hydrogen atoms and nonmetallic atoms from groups 14 to 16, wherein the nonmetallic atoms may have substituents. n represents an integer from 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, multiple L D2 They can be the same or different, multiple Cy D They can be the same or different.

13. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of polymer 1 and polymer 2 has a repeating unit E that does not contain fluorine atoms or polymerizable groups. The repeating unit E satisfies either condition 1 or condition 2. Condition 1: The repeating unit E has a polar group at the end of its side chain. Condition 2: The repeating unit E is represented by the following formula (E1) or (E2), [Chemical Formula 7] In equation (E-1), R E2 Represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. L E1 This indicates a single key or selection of -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CONR. L1 -、-NR L1 COO-、-CR L1 N-, divalent aliphatic groups, substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic groups, and combinations thereof, and divalent linking groups in the group consisting of R. L1 Indicates an alkyl group having 1 to 20 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms. Ring E represents a ring structure with a cationized nitrogen atom. X represents anion. L 2 Represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. In equation (E-2), R E3 Represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. L E3 This indicates a single key or selection of -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CONR. L1 -、-NR L1 COO-、-CR L1 N-, divalent aliphatic groups, substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic groups, and combinations thereof, and divalent linking groups in the group consisting of R. L1 Indicates an alkyl group having 1 to 20 hydrogen atoms or carbon atoms. R E4 and R E5 Each of the following groups independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group, R. E4 and R E5 They can be linked to each other via alkylene linkages, arylene linkages, or linkages formed by combinations thereof.

14. A light-absorbing anisotropic film obtained using the liquid crystal composition of claim 1.

15. The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to claim 14, wherein, The orientation states of the liquid crystal compounds and dichroic substances contained in the light-absorbing anisotropic film are fixed. The angle θ between the central axis of the transmittance of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the normal direction of the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film exceeds 45° and is less than 90°.

16. The light-absorbing anisotropic film according to claim 14, wherein, The orientation states of the liquid crystal compounds and dichroic substances contained in the light-absorbing anisotropic film are fixed. The angle θ between the central axis of the transmittance of the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the normal direction of the surface of the light-absorbing anisotropic film is greater than 0° and less than 45°.

17. A laminate comprising the light-absorbing anisotropic film and the λ / 4 plate as described in claim 14.

18. An image display device comprising the light-absorbing anisotropic film and display element as described in claim 14.

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