Dimming sheet

Abstract

To provide a dimming sheet that makes a liquid crystal compound easier to drive under a low temperature environment.SOLUTION: The percentage content of the mass of a liquid crystal compound to the mass of a dimming layer 23 is 40 mass% to 65 mass% inclusive. The percentage content of the mass of a sulfur atom to the mass of a transparent polymer layer 23P is 0.03 mass% to 4 mass% inclusive. The transparent polymer layer 23P contains a polymer compound indicated by chemical formula (1), and X in chemical formula (1) does not contain a cyclic structure. In chemical formula (1), however, n denotes an integer of 1 or greater, m denotes an integer of 1 to 4 inclusive, and X is linear or branched in shape and does not contain a functional group or contains at least one or both of an ether group and an ester group as a functional group.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light control sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] The light-controlling sheet includes a first transparent electrode layer, a second transparent electrode layer, and a light-controlling layer sandwiched between the first and second transparent electrode layers. The orientation state of the liquid crystal mixture contained in the light-controlling layer changes the light transmittance of the light-controlling sheet in response to changes in the potential difference between the two transparent electrode layers. For example, when the orientation order of the liquid crystal compounds is established, the light-controlling sheet exhibits low diffuse transmittance, thereby exhibiting transparency. When the long axis direction of the liquid crystal mixture is disordered, the light-controlling sheet exhibits high diffuse transmittance, thereby exhibiting opacity (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-45135 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the application of the light-controlling sheet is not limited to transparent components of various buildings, but is expanding to window glass of vehicles. Since the light-controlling sheet for vehicles needs to be operated in cold regions, it is required that the diffuse transmittance changes within a certain time in a low-temperature environment. In addition, the light-controlling sheet for vehicles is required to have high contrast in order to achieve both visibility when transparent and concealment when opaque. Increasing the content of the liquid crystal mixture in the light-controlling layer makes it easier to cause changes in the diffuse transmittance of the light-controlling sheet and easier to cause light scattering when opaque, while reducing the adhesion between the light-controlling layer and the layer that the light-controlling layer contacts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The light-adjusting sheet for solving the above problems includes a first transparent conductive sheet, a second transparent conductive sheet, and a light-adjusting layer located between the first transparent conductive sheet and the second transparent conductive sheet. The light-adjusting sheet is configured such that the light-adjusting layer can be switched between a transparent state and an opaque state by switching between a state in which a voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive sheet and the second transparent conductive sheet and a state in which a voltage is not applied. The light-adjusting layer includes a transparent polymer layer defining a plurality of voids, and a liquid crystal composition including one or more liquid crystal compounds and filling the voids. The content of the mass of the liquid crystal compounds relative to the mass of the light-adjusting layer is 40% by mass or more and 65% by mass or less. The content of the mass of sulfur atoms relative to the mass of the transparent polymer layer is 0.03% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less. The transparent polymer layer includes a polymer compound represented by the following chemical formula (1), and X in the chemical formula (1) does not include a cyclic structure.

[0006] [ka]

[0007] In chemical formula (1), n ​​is an integer of 1 or more, m is an integer of 1 or more and 4 or less, X is linear or branched, and either does not contain a functional group or contains at least one or both of an ether group and an ester group as a functional group.

[0008] According to the light controlling sheet, since the polymer compound does not contain a cyclic structure, the intermolecular force between the liquid crystal compound and the polymer compound in a low-temperature environment is suppressed, and thus the liquid crystal compound is easily driven in a low-temperature environment.

[0009] In addition, since the lower limit of the liquid crystal compound content is 40% by mass, the light is more likely to be scattered in the light control sheet to the extent that the light control sheet has high contrast. Since the upper limit of the liquid crystal compound content is 65% by mass, the transparent polymer layer contained in the light control layer can maintain high adhesion strength between the light control layer and the transparent conductive sheet.

[0010] Since the lower limit of the sulfur atom content in the transparent polymer layer is 0.03 mass%, the size of the voids formed in the transparent polymer layer is less likely to vary, and as a result, the degree of light scattering in the plane of the light control sheet is less likely to vary. Also, since the upper limit of the sulfur atom content in the transparent polymer layer is 4 mass%, the curing speed of the transparent polymer layer is prevented from becoming excessively slow. This prevents the voids formed in the transparent polymer layer from becoming excessively large and small, and therefore prevents the area of ​​the interface between the transparent polymer layer and the voids from decreasing, and as a result, prevents light scattering from becoming difficult.

[0011] Therefore, according to the above-mentioned light-adjusting sheet, in a light-adjusting sheet in which the adhesion strength and contrast between the light-adjusting layer and the transparent conductive sheet are increased, it is possible to make the liquid crystal compound more easily driven in a low-temperature environment.

[0012] In the above light-adjusting sheet, the transparent polymer layer includes one or more types of first repeating units and one or more types of second repeating units, in which X in the chemical formula (1) in the first repeating unit has a linear or branched carbon chain and does not include a functional group, or includes at least one or both of an ether group and an ester group as a functional group, and m is 1, and in the second repeating unit, X in the chemical formula (1) may be represented by any of the following chemical formulas (2) to (7):

[0013] [ka]

[0014] However, in the chemical formula (2), na is an integer of 2 or more and 9 or less, and when X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by the chemical formula (2), m in the chemical formula (1) is 2.

[0015] [ka]

[0016] However, in the chemical formula (3), nb is an integer of 2 or more and 12 or less, and when X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by the chemical formula (3), m in the chemical formula (1) is 2.

[0017] [ka]

[0018] However, when X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by the chemical formula (4), m in the chemical formula (1) is 2.

[0019] [ka]

[0020] However, in the chemical formula (5), mc and nc are each an integer of 1 or more, and the sum of mc and nc is 2 or 4, and when X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by the chemical formula (5), m in the chemical formula (1) is 2.

[0021] [ka]

[0022] In the above chemical formula (6), R 1represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, ld, md, and nd each represent 0 or an integer of 1 or more, and when X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by the chemical formula (6), m in the chemical formula (1) is 3.

[0023] [ka]

[0024] In the chemical formula (7), ke, le, me, and ne are each an integer of 0 or 1 or more, and when X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by the chemical formula (7), m in the chemical formula (1) is 4.

[0025] According to the light controlling sheet, the transparent polymer layer includes a first repeating unit and a second repeating unit having a different number of acryloyl groups from that of the first repeating unit, and therefore, the number of acryloyl groups in the transparent polymer layer can be adjusted by adjusting the content of the first repeating unit and the content of the second repeating unit.

[0026] In the light controlling sheet, a ratio of a mass of the first repeating unit to a mass of the transparent polymer layer may be greater than a ratio of a mass of the second repeating unit to a mass of the transparent polymer layer.

[0027] According to the light-adjusting sheet, the transparent polymer layer contains more first repeat units, which have fewer acryloyl groups than the second repeat units, than the second repeat units, so that the average number of acryloyl groups in the transparent polymer layer is prevented from becoming excessively large, and thus the curing speed of the transparent polymer layer is prevented from becoming excessively high.

[0028] In the above light-adjusting sheet, the mass content of the first repeating unit relative to the mass of the transparent polymer layer may be 26 mass% or more and 46 mass% or less, and the mass content of the second repeating unit relative to the mass of the transparent polymer layer may be 1 mass% or more and 14 mass% or less.

[0029] According to the above-mentioned light-adjusting sheet, the ratio of the second repeating units to the first repeating units in the transparent polymer layer is kept at a maximum of about 1 / 2, thereby further preventing the average number of acryloyl groups in the transparent polymer layer from becoming excessively large.

[0030] In the above light-controlling sheet, the first repeating unit is derived from one or more selected from the group consisting of methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and t-butyl acrylate, and the second repeating unit may be derived from one or more selected from the group consisting of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 1,9-nonanediol diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol hydroxypivalic acid ester diacrylate, 6-(propenoyloxy)hexanoic acid 3-[2,2-dimethyl-3-[[1-oxo-6-(propenoyloxy)hexyl]oxy]propoxy]-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxopropyl, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, propoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, and propoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate.

[0031] In the above-mentioned light-adjusting sheet, when the number of acryloyl groups per molecule of the polymer compound k contained in the transparent polymer layer is fk and the molar fraction of the polymer compound k relative to the total number of moles of the polymer compounds is nk, the value of the average number of acryloyl groups fave, represented by the following mathematical formula (1), may be 1.5 or less.

[0032]

number

[0033] According to the light control sheet, the average number of acryloyl groups is 1.5 or less, so that the curing speed of the transparent polymer layer is prevented from becoming excessively high. This prevents the purity of the liquid crystal compound in the liquid crystal composition contained in the voids of the transparent polymer layer from decreasing. As a result, the driving of the liquid crystal compound is less likely to be hindered by impurities in the liquid crystal composition. Effect of the Invention

[0034] According to the light-controlling sheet of the present disclosure, in the light-controlling sheet in which the adhesion strength and contrast between the light-controlling layer and the transparent conductive sheet are increased, the liquid crystal compound is more easily driven in a low-temperature environment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light control device equipped with a normal type light control sheet. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light control device equipped with a reverse-type light control sheet. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a reverse-type light controlling sheet. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids of the respective examples and the evaluation results. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids of the respective examples and the evaluation results. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids of the respective examples and the evaluation results. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids of the respective examples and the evaluation results. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each example. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a table showing the compounding ratios in the coating fluids and the evaluation results of each of the comparative examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] An embodiment of a light controlling sheet will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 19. The type of the light controlling sheet of the present disclosure may be a normal type or a reverse type. In the following, a normal type light controlling device equipped with a normal type light controlling sheet and a drive unit will be described with reference to Fig. 1, and a reverse type light controlling device equipped with a reverse type light controlling sheet and a drive unit will be described with reference to Fig. 2.

[0037] The light-controlling sheet is attached to a transparent member provided in a window of a moving object such as a vehicle or an aircraft. Alternatively, the light-controlling sheet may be attached to a transparent member provided in a window of various buildings such as a house, a station, an airport, a partition installed in an office, a show window installed in a store, etc. The shape of the light-controlling sheet may be flat or curved.

[0038] [Normal type dimmer] 1, the normal-type light control device 10N includes a normal-type light control sheet 11N and a drive unit 12. The light control sheet 11N includes a first transparent conductive sheet 21, a second transparent conductive sheet 22, and a light control layer 23. The light control sheet 11N is configured to be capable of switching the light control layer 23 between a transparent state and an opaque state by switching between a state in which a voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive sheet 21 and the second transparent conductive sheet 22 and a state in which a voltage is not applied.

[0039] The first transparent conductive sheet 21 includes a first transparent electrode layer 21A and a first transparent base material 21B that supports the first transparent electrode layer 21A. The second transparent conductive sheet 22 includes a second transparent electrode layer 22A and a second transparent base material 22B that supports the second transparent electrode layer 22A.

[0040] In the light-adjusting sheet 11N, the light-adjusting layer 23 is located between the first transparent conductive sheet 21 and the second transparent conductive sheet 22. The first transparent electrode layer 21A is located between the first transparent substrate 21B and the light-adjusting layer 23. The second transparent electrode layer 22A is located between the second transparent substrate 22B and the light-adjusting layer 23.

[0041] The light-controlling sheet 11N is transparent or opaque with a haze value higher than that of transparency, depending on the magnitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling layer 23. Since the light-controlling sheet 11N provided in the normal-type light-controlling device 10N is of the normal type, the light-controlling sheet 11N is opaque when no voltage is applied to the light-controlling layer 23. In contrast, the light-controlling sheet 11N is transparent when a voltage is applied to the light-controlling layer 23. For example, the haze value of the opaque light-controlling sheet 11N may be 80% or more, and the haze value of the transparent light-controlling sheet 11N may be 5% or less. The haze value of the light-controlling sheet 11N is a value measured by a method conforming to JIS K 7136:2000 "Method of determining haze of plastic transparent materials".

[0042] The light controlling sheet 11N includes a first electrode 21E attached to a portion of the first transparent electrode layer 21A and a second electrode 22E attached to a portion of the second transparent electrode layer 22A. The light controlling sheet 11N further includes a wiring 24 connected to the first electrode 21E and a wiring 24 connected to the second electrode 22E. The first electrode 21E is connected to the driving unit 12 by the wiring 24. The second electrode 22E is connected to the driving unit 12 by the wiring 24.

[0043] The first transparent conductive sheet 21 and the second transparent conductive sheet 22 apply a voltage to the light control layer 23 to switch the light control layer 23 between transparent and opaque. Each of the transparent conductive sheets 21 and 22 has optical transparency that transmits visible light. The optical transparency of the first transparent conductive sheet 21 enables visual recognition of an object through the light control sheet 11N. The optical transparency of the second transparent conductive sheet 22, like the optical transparency of the first transparent conductive sheet 21, enables visual recognition of an object through the light control sheet 11N.

[0044] The material for forming each of the transparent electrode layers 21A, 22A may be, for example, any one selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, carbon nanotubes, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), and silver.

[0045] The material forming each of the transparent base materials 21B, 22B may be a synthetic resin or an inorganic compound. Examples of the synthetic resin include polyester, polyacrylate, polycarbonate, and polyolefin. Examples of the polyester include polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate. Examples of the polyacrylate include polymethyl methacrylate. Examples of the inorganic compound include silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride.

[0046] Each of the electrodes 21E, 22E is, for example, a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The FPC includes a support layer, a conductor portion, and a protective layer. The conductor portion is sandwiched between the support layer and the protective layer. The support layer and the protective layer are made of insulating synthetic resin. The support layer and the protective layer are made of, for example, polyimide. The conductor portion is made of, for example, a metal thin film. The material forming the metal thin film may be, for example, copper. Each of the electrodes 21E, 22E is not limited to an FPC, and may be, for example, a metal tape.

[0047] Each of the electrodes 21E, 22E is attached to each of the transparent electrode layers 21A, 22A by a conductive adhesive layer (not shown). In each of the electrodes 21E, 22E, a conductor portion is exposed from the protective layer or the support layer in a portion connected to the conductive adhesive layer.

[0048] The conductive adhesive layer may be formed of, for example, an anisotropic conductive sheet (ACF: Anisotropic Conductive Film), an anisotropic conductive paste (ACP: Anisotropic Conductive Paste), an isotropic conductive sheet (ICF: Isotropic Conductive Film), an isotropic conductive paste (ICP: Isotropic Conductive Paste), etc. From the viewpoint of ease of handling in the manufacturing process of the light control device 10N, the conductive adhesive layer is preferably an anisotropic conductive sheet.

[0049] Each of the wirings 24 is formed of, for example, a metal wire and an insulating layer covering the metal wire. The wire is formed of, for example, copper.

[0050] The driving unit 12 is configured to be able to apply a voltage to the light-controlling layer 23 included in the light-controlling sheet 11N. The driving unit 12 applies an AC voltage between the first transparent electrode layer 21A and the second transparent electrode layer 22A. It is preferable that the driving unit 12 applies an AC voltage having a rectangular wave shape between the pair of transparent electrode layers 21A, 22A. In other words, it is preferable that the driving unit 12 outputs a voltage signal having a rectangular wave.

[0051] [Reverse type dimming device] The reverse type light control device 10R shown in Fig. 2 differs from the above-mentioned normal type light control device 10N in that it includes a reverse type light control sheet 11R. Therefore, the following will describe in detail the differences between the reverse type light control device 10R and the normal type light control device 10N. Meanwhile, the components of the reverse type light control device 10R that are common to the normal type light control device 10N are given the same reference numerals as those of the normal type light control device 10N, and detailed descriptions of those components will be omitted.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 2, the reverse type light control device 10R includes a reverse type light control sheet 11R and a driving unit 12. The light control sheet 11R includes a first alignment film 21C and a second alignment film 22C in addition to the layer structure of the normal type light control sheet 11N. Therefore, in the reverse type light control device 10R, the first transparent conductive sheet 21 includes the first alignment film 21C in addition to the first transparent electrode layer 21A and the first transparent base material 21B. The second transparent conductive sheet 22 includes the second alignment film 22C in addition to the second transparent electrode layer 22A and the second transparent base material 22B.

[0053] The light control layer 23 is located between the first alignment film 21C and the second alignment film 22C. The first alignment film 21C is located between the light control layer 23 and the first transparent electrode layer 21A, and is in contact with the light control layer 23. The second alignment film 22C is located between the light control layer 23 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A, and is in contact with the light control layer 23.

[0054] The material for forming the first alignment film 21C and the second alignment film 22C may be an organic compound, an inorganic compound, or a mixture thereof. The organic compound may be, for example, polyimide, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, or a cyanide compound. The inorganic compound may be silicon oxide, zirconium oxide, or the like. The material for forming the alignment films 21C and 22C may be silicone. Silicone is a compound having an inorganic portion and an organic portion.

[0055] The first alignment film 21C and the second alignment film 22C are, for example, vertical alignment films. The vertical alignment film aligns the long axis direction of the liquid crystal compound so that it is perpendicular to the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the first transparent electrode layer 21A and the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the second transparent electrode layer 22A. In this way, the alignment films 21C and 22C regulate the alignment of the multiple liquid crystal compounds contained in the light control layer 23.

[0056] [Light control layer] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional structure of a normal-type light controlling sheet 11N. The reverse-type light controlling sheet 11R has the same layer structure as that shown in Fig. 3, except that it includes a first alignment film 21C and a second alignment film 22C.

[0057] 3, the light-controlling layer 23 includes a liquid crystal composition 23LC, a spacer SP, and a transparent polymer layer 23P. The transparent polymer layer 23P defines a plurality of gaps 23D. The liquid crystal composition 23LC is filled into the gaps 23D.

[0058] [Liquid crystal composition] The liquid crystal composition 23LC contains a liquid crystal mixture LCM. The content of the mass of the liquid crystal mixture LCM relative to the mass of the light-adjusting layer 23 is 40% by mass or more and 65% by mass or less. That is, the mass M23 of the light-adjusting layer 23 and the mass MLCM of the liquid crystal mixture LCM satisfy the following formula. The mass M23 of the light-adjusting layer 23 is the sum of the mass MLCM of the liquid crystal mixture LCM, the mass M23P of the transparent polymer layer 23P, and the mass MSP of the spacer SP. The mass M23P of the transparent polymer layer 23P is the sum of the mass of the photopolymerizable composition, the mass of the chain transfer agent, and the mass of the polymerization initiator. 40(mass%)≦(MLCM / M23)×100≦65(mass%)

[0059] Since the upper limit of the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is 65% by mass, the transparent polymer layer 23P contained in the light-adjusting layer 23 can maintain high adhesion strength between the light-adjusting layer 23 and each transparent conductive sheet 21, 22. This prevents the light-adjusting layer 23 from peeling off from the transparent conductive sheets 21, 22. Since the lower limit of the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is 40% by mass, the light-adjusting sheets 11N, 11R tend to scatter light in the light-adjusting sheets 11N, 11R to the extent that the light-adjusting sheets 11N, 11R have high contrast. The contrast of the light-adjusting sheets 11N, 11R is the ratio of the haze value when the light-adjusting sheets 11N, 11R are opaque to the haze value when the light-adjusting sheets 11N, 11R are transparent. In this way, the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is within the range of 40% by mass or more and 65% by mass or less, so that the light-adjusting sheets 11N, 11R can have both high optical properties and high mechanical properties.

[0060] The liquid crystal composition 23LC may contain a dichroic dye, and may contain additives such as a defoamer, an antioxidant, a weathering agent, a solvent, and a viscosity reducing agent. The weathering agent may be an ultraviolet absorber or a light stabilizer.

[0061] The liquid crystal mixture LCM may have a positive dielectric anisotropy. When the liquid crystal mixture LCM has a positive dielectric anisotropy, the dielectric constant ε∥ in the long axis direction of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is higher than the dielectric constant ε⊥ in the short axis direction of the liquid crystal mixture LCM. The liquid crystal mixture LCM may have a negative dielectric anisotropy. When the liquid crystal mixture LCM has a negative dielectric anisotropy, the dielectric constant ε∥ in the long axis direction of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is lower than the dielectric constant ε⊥ in the short axis direction of the liquid crystal mixture LCM. The dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is appropriately selected based on the type of the light control sheets 11N and 11R. The normal type light control sheet 11N may include, for example, a liquid crystal mixture LCM having a positive dielectric anisotropy. The reverse type light control sheet 11R may include, for example, a liquid crystal mixture LCM having a negative dielectric anisotropy.

[0062] Each liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal mixture LCM is, for example, any one selected from the group consisting of Schiff base type, azo type, azoxy type, biphenyl type, terphenyl type, benzoic acid ester type, tolan type, pyrimidine type, pyridazine type, cyclohexane carboxylate type, phenylcyclohexane type, biphenylcyclohexane type, dicyanobenzene type, naphthalene type, and dioxane type. The liquid crystal mixture LCM is a combination of two or more types of liquid crystal compounds. The refractive index difference of the liquid crystal mixture LCM may be 0.05 or more. The dielectric constant difference of the liquid crystal compounds contained in the liquid crystal mixture LCM may be 2 or more, or -2 or less. The light control layer 23 may contain only one type of liquid crystal compound instead of the liquid crystal mixture LCM.

[0063] An example of the structure of the liquid crystal compound is represented by the following formula 1.

[0064] [ka]

[0065] R shown in chemical formula (8) 11 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. 11One or two or more non-adjacent methylene bonds contained in the alkyl group can be substituted with any bond selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, an ethylene bond, an ester bond, and a diether bond.

[0066] R shown in chemical formula (8) 12 is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group, a trifluoromethoxy group, a difluoromethoxy group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms. 12 One or two or more non-adjacent methylene bonds contained in the alkyl group can be substituted with any bond selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, an ethylene bond, an ester bond, and a diether bond.

[0067] A shown in chemical formula (8) 11 , A 12 , A 13 , A 14 are each independently a 1,4-phenylene group or a 2,6-naphthylene group. One or more hydrogen atoms of the 1,4-phenylene group or the 2,6-naphthylene group can be substituted with a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a trifluoromethyl group, or a trifluoromethoxy group. 11 , A 12 , A 13 , A 14 may each independently be a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 3,6-cyclohexenylene group, a 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl group, or a pyridine-2,5-diyl group. 13 , A 14 may each independently be a single bond. 11 , Z 12 , Z 13 are each independently any one selected from the group consisting of a single bond, an ester bond, a diether bond, an ethylene bond, a fluoroethylene bond, and a carbonyl bond.

[0068] [Transparent polymer layer] The transparent polymer layer 23P is a cured product of a photopolymerizable composition. The light for polymerizing the photopolymerizable composition may be ultraviolet light or an electron beam. The photopolymerizable composition may be an ultraviolet-polymerizable composition or an electron-beam-polymerizable composition. The lower and upper limits of the content of the transparent polymer layer 23P in the light-controlling layer 23 are within a range in which the liquid crystal particles composed of the liquid crystal mixture LCM are phase-separated from the polymer of the photopolymerizable composition during the polymerization process of the photopolymerizable composition. When it is necessary to increase the mechanical strength of the transparent polymer layer 23P, it is preferable that the lower limit of the content of the transparent polymer layer 23P is high. When it is necessary to lower the voltage for driving the liquid crystal mixture LCM, it is preferable that the upper limit of the content of the transparent polymer layer 23P is low.

[0069] The transparent polymer layer 23P satisfies the following conditions. (Condition 1) The content of the mass of sulfur atoms relative to the mass of transparent polymer layer 23P is 0.03 mass % or more and 4 mass % or less. That is, mass M23P of transparent polymer layer 23P and mass MS of sulfur atoms satisfy the following formula.

[0070] 0.03 (mass%)≦(MS / M23P)×100≦4(mass%) (Requirement 2) The transparent polymer layer contains a polymer compound represented by the following chemical formula (1), and X in the chemical formula (1) does not contain a cyclic structure.

[0071] [ka]

[0072] In chemical formula (1), n ​​is an integer of 1 or more, m is an integer of 1 or more and 4 or less, X is linear or branched, and either does not contain a functional group or contains at least one or both of an ether group and an ester group as a functional group.

[0073] According to the light control sheets 11R and 11N of the present disclosure, since the polymer compound does not include a cyclic structure, the intermolecular force acting between the liquid crystal mixture LCM and the polymer compound in a low-temperature environment is suppressed. This makes it easier to drive the liquid crystal mixture LCM in a low-temperature environment. When the liquid crystal mixture LCM in the liquid crystal composition 23LC and the polymer compound in the transparent polymer layer 23P include a cyclic structure, an intermolecular force acts between the cyclic structure included in the liquid crystal mixture LCM and the cyclic structure of the polymer compound. This restricts the driving of the liquid crystal mixture LCM. The low-temperature environment in which such restrictions on the driving of the liquid crystal mixture LCM are prominent in a low-temperature environment is an environment of 0° C. or lower, and may be, for example, an environment of −10° C. or higher and −20° C. or lower. In this regard, in the light control sheets 11R and 11N of the present disclosure, since the polymer compound does not include a cyclic structure as described above, no intermolecular force acting between the cyclic structures occurs. Therefore, restrictions on the driving of the liquid crystal mixture LCM are suppressed, and as a result, the liquid crystal mixture LCM is easier to drive in a low-temperature environment.

[0074] The sulfur atoms contained in the light-adjusting layer 23 originate from a chain transfer agent contained in the coating liquid for producing the light-adjusting layer 23. Since the upper limit of the content of sulfur atoms is 4% by mass, the curing speed of the transparent polymer layer 23P is prevented from becoming excessively slow. Therefore, the voids formed in the transparent polymer layer are prevented from becoming excessively large and small, and the area of ​​the interface between the transparent polymer layer and the voids is prevented from decreasing. This prevents light scattering from occurring. As a result, the scattering property during opacity can be maintained, and contrast is improved. In addition, since the lower limit of the content of sulfur atoms is 0.03% by mass, the size of the voids 23D formed in the transparent polymer layer 23P is prevented from varying. As a result, the degree of light scattering in the plane of the light-adjusting sheet 11N is prevented from varying, and as a result, the contrast of the light-adjusting sheet 11N is improved.

[0075] The transparent polymer layer 23P may contain one or more types of first repeating units and one or more types of second repeating units. In this case, the first repeating units satisfy the following condition 3, and the second repeating units satisfy the following condition 4. That is, the polymer compound contained in the transparent polymer layer 23P may be a copolymer composed of one or more types of first repeating units and one or more types of second repeating units. The polymer compound may be a homopolymer composed of one type of first repeating unit, or may be a homopolymer composed of one type of second repeating unit.

[0076] (Condition 3) In the first repeating unit, X in chemical formula (1) has a linear or branched carbon chain and does not contain a functional group, or contains at least one or both of an ether group and an ester group as a functional group, and m is 1. That is, the first repeating unit contains one acryloyl group.

[0077] (Requirement 4) In the second repeating unit, X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by any one of the following chemical formulas (2) to (7).

[0078] [ka]

[0079] However, in chemical formula (2), na is an integer of 2 or more and 9 or less, and when X in chemical formula (1) is represented by chemical formula (2), m in chemical formula (1) is 2. In other words, when X is represented by chemical formula (2), chemical formula (1) contains two acryloyl groups.

[0080] [ka]

[0081] However, in chemical formula (3), nb is an integer of 2 or more and 12 or less, and when X in chemical formula (1) is represented by chemical formula (3), m in chemical formula (1) is 2. In other words, when X is represented by chemical formula (3), chemical formula (1) contains two acryloyl groups.

[0082] [ka]

[0083] However, when X in chemical formula (1) is represented by chemical formula (4), m in chemical formula (1) is 2. In other words, when X is represented by chemical formula (4), chemical formula (1) contains two acryloyl groups.

[0084] [ka]

[0085] However, in chemical formula (5), mc and nc are each an integer of 1 or more, and the sum of mc and nc is 2 or 4, and when X in chemical formula (1) is represented by chemical formula (5), m in chemical formula (1) is 2. In other words, when X is represented by chemical formula (5), chemical formula (1) contains two acryloyl groups.

[0086] [ka]

[0087] In the chemical formula (6), R 1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, ld, md, and nd are each an integer of 0 or greater than 1, and when X in chemical formula (1) is represented by chemical formula (6), m in chemical formula (1) is 3. That is, when X is represented by chemical formula (6), chemical formula (1) contains three acryloyl groups.

[0088] [ka]

[0089] However, in chemical formula (7), ke, le, me, and ne are each an integer of 0 or 1 or more, and when X in chemical formula (1) is represented by chemical formula (7), m in chemical formula (1) is 4. In other words, when X is represented by chemical formula (7), chemical formula (1) contains four acryloyl groups.

[0090] The transparent polymer layer 23P includes a first repeating unit and a second repeating unit having a different number of acryloyl groups from that of the first repeating unit, and therefore the number of acryloyl groups in the transparent polymer layer 23P can be adjusted by adjusting the content of the first repeating unit and the content of the second repeating unit.

[0091] When the transparent polymer layer 23P includes a first repeating unit and a second repeating unit, the ratio of the mass of the first repeating unit to the mass of the transparent polymer layer 23P may be greater than the ratio of the mass of the second repeating unit to the mass of the transparent polymer layer 23P. That is, the mass M23P of the transparent polymer layer 23P, the mass M1 of the first repeating unit, and the mass M2 of the second repeating unit may satisfy the following formula. Note that the mass M1 of the first repeating unit is the total mass of the first repeating units included in the transparent polymer layer 23P. The mass M2 of the second repeating unit is the total mass of the second repeating units included in the transparent polymer layer 23P. (M1 / M23P)>(M2 / M23P)

[0092] As a result, the transparent polymer layer 23P contains more first repeating units, which have a smaller number of acryloyl groups than the second repeating units, than the second repeating units, so that the average number of acryloyl groups in the transparent polymer layer 23P is prevented from becoming excessively large, and therefore the curing speed of the transparent polymer layer 23P is prevented from becoming excessively high.

[0093] For example, the content of the mass of the first repeating unit relative to the mass of the transparent polymer layer 23P may be 26% by mass or more and 46% by mass or less, and the content of the mass of the second repeating unit relative to the mass of the transparent polymer layer 23P may be 1% by mass or more and 14% by mass or less. That is, the mass M23P of the transparent polymer layer 23P, the mass M1 of the first repeating unit, and the mass M2 of the second repeating unit may satisfy the following formula. Note that the mass M1 of the first repeating unit is the total mass of the first repeating units contained in the transparent polymer layer 23P. The mass M2 of the second repeating unit is the total mass of the second repeating units contained in the transparent polymer layer 23P. 26(mass%)≦(M1 / M23P)×100≦46(mass%) 1 (mass%)≦(M2 / M23P)×100≦14(mass%)

[0094] This allows the ratio of the second repeating units to the first repeating units in transparent polymer layer 23P to be kept at a maximum of about 1 / 2, further preventing the average number of acryloyl groups in transparent polymer layer 23P from becoming excessively large.

[0095] The first repeat unit may be derived from, for example, one or more selected from the group consisting of methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and t-butyl acrylate. The second repeat unit may be derived from, for example, one or more selected from the group consisting of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 1,9-nonanediol diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol hydroxypivalic acid ester diacrylate, 6-(propenoyloxy)hexanoic acid 3-[2,2-dimethyl-3-[[1-oxo-6-(propenoyloxy)hexyl]oxy]propoxy]-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxopropyl, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, propoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, and propoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate.

[0096] When the number of acryloyl groups per molecule of polymer compound k contained in transparent polymer layer 23P is fk and the molar fraction of polymer compound k with respect to the total number of moles of the polymer compounds is nk, the average number of acryloyl groups fave, represented by the following mathematical formula (1), may be 1.5 or less.

[0097]

number

[0098] When the average number of acryloyl groups is 1.5 or less, the curing speed of the transparent polymer layer 23P is prevented from becoming excessively high. This prevents the purity of the liquid crystal mixture LCM from decreasing in the liquid crystal composition 23LC contained in the voids 23D of the transparent polymer layer 23P. As a result, the driving of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is less likely to be hindered by impurities in the liquid crystal composition 23LC.

[0099] From the viewpoint of improving the responsiveness of the light controlling sheet 11N, the lower limit of the ratio of the sulfur content to the average number of acryloyl groups is preferably 1.0 or more, more preferably 1.4 or more, and even more preferably 1.5 or more. From the viewpoint of improving the contrast of the light controlling sheet 11N, the upper limit of the ratio of the sulfur content to the average number of acryloyl groups is preferably 4.0 or less, more preferably 3.5 or less, and even more preferably 2.0 or less.

[0100] [Spacer] The spacers SP are dispersed throughout the transparent polymer layer 23P. The thickness of the spacers SP determines the thickness of the light-adjusting layer 23. The thickness of the spacers SP may be the particle size of the spacers SP. The thickness of the light-adjusting layer 23 may be, for example, 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less. The spacers SP make the thickness of the light-adjusting layer 23 uniform. The spacers SP may be bead spacers or photospacers formed by exposing and developing a photoresist. The spacers SP may be colorless and transparent, or colored and transparent. When the liquid crystal composition 23LC contains a dichroic dye DP, the color of the spacers SP is preferably the same color as the color exhibited by the dichroic dye DP.

[0101] [Dichroic dye] The dichroic dye is colored by being driven by a guest-host type with the liquid crystal mixture LCM as a host. The dichroic dye is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of polyiodine, azo compounds, anthraquinone compounds, naphthoquinone compounds, azomethine compounds, tetrazine compounds, quinophthalone compounds, merocyanine compounds, perylene compounds, and dioxazine compounds. The dichroic dye may be one type of compound or a combination of two or more types of compounds. When it is required to increase the light resistance and the dichroic ratio, the dichroic dye is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of azo compounds and anthraquinone compounds, and more preferably an azo compound.

[0102] [Manufacturing method of light control sheet] The manufacturing method of the light control sheet 11N includes forming a coating film containing the above-mentioned photopolymerizable compound and liquid crystal mixture LCM between the first transparent conductive sheet 21 and the second transparent conductive sheet 22. When manufacturing the normal type light control sheet 11N, a coating film is formed between the first transparent electrode layer 21A of the first transparent conductive sheet 21 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A of the second transparent conductive sheet 22. In contrast, when manufacturing the reverse type light control sheet 11R, a coating film is formed between the first alignment film 21C of the first transparent conductive sheet 21 and the second alignment film 22C of the second transparent conductive sheet 22.

[0103] The coating film contains a polymerization initiator for initiating polymerization of the photopolymerizable compound. The polymerization initiator is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of a diketone compound, an acetophenone compound, a benzoin compound, a benzophenone compound, a thioxanthone compound, and an oxime ester compound. The polymerization initiator may be one type of compound or a combination of two or more types of compounds. An example of the polymerization initiator is any one selected from the group consisting of benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, cyclohexyl phenyl ketone, and phenylacetophenone.

[0104] The manufacturing method of the light control sheets 11N and 11R includes phase-separating the liquid crystal particles composed of the liquid crystal mixture LCM from the polymer by polymerizing a photopolymerizable compound in the coating film. The light irradiated to the coating film may be irradiated toward the first transparent conductive sheet 21, may be irradiated toward the second transparent conductive sheet 22, or may be irradiated toward both the first transparent conductive sheet 21 and the second transparent conductive sheet 22.

[0105] Phase separation of the liquid crystal particles that are composed of the liquid crystal mixture LCM progresses through polymerization of the photopolymerizable compound and diffusion of the liquid crystal mixture LCM. The speed at which the photopolymerizable compound polymerizes varies depending on the intensity of light irradiated to the photopolymerizable compound. The speed at which the liquid crystal mixture LCM diffuses varies depending on the processing temperature during polymerization of the photopolymerizable compound. In phase separation of the liquid crystal mixture LCM, the intensity of light irradiated to the photopolymerizable compound is set so that the size of the liquid crystal particles is the desired size, that is, so that the size of the voids 23D is the desired size. In addition, in phase separation of the liquid crystal mixture LCM, heating may be performed to promote diffusion of the liquid crystal mixture LCM.

[0106] When it is required to reduce the size of the voids 23D, it is preferable to increase the intensity of the light irradiated to the photopolymerizable compound and proceed with the polymerization at a low temperature to suppress the diffusion of the liquid crystal mixture LCM.When it is required to increase the size of the voids 23D, it is preferable to decrease the intensity of the light irradiated to the photopolymerizable compound and proceed with the polymerization at a high temperature to promote the diffusion of the liquid crystal mixture LCM.

[0107] [Example] Examples and comparative examples of the light control sheet 11N will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 19. The light control sheet 11N in each example and comparative example is a normal type light control sheet 11N. A coating film containing a photopolymerizable composition and a liquid crystal mixture LCM was formed between the first transparent conductive sheet 21 and the second transparent conductive sheet 22, and the photopolymerizable composition was then polymerized in the coating film to obtain the light control sheet 11N.

[0108] The materials described below were used to form the light-adjusting sheets 11N of the examples and comparative examples. In the light-adjusting sheets 11N of each example and comparative example, the compounding ratio in the coating liquid for forming the coating film was set as shown in Figs. 4 to 19. The compounding ratios shown in Figs. 4 to 19 indicate the ratio of each material to the total amount of the coating liquid. In other words, the compounding ratio indicates the ratio of each material to the sum of the mass of the liquid crystal mixture LCM, the mass of the photopolymerizable composition, the mass of the spacer SP, the mass of the chain transfer agent, and the mass of the polymerization initiator.

[0109] [material] First transparent electrode layer 21A: indium tin oxide Second transparent electrode layer 22A: indium tin oxide First transparent substrate 21B: polyethylene terephthalate film Second transparent substrate 22B: polyethylene terephthalate film Liquid crystal mixture LCM: Cyanobiphenyl liquid crystal (MLC-6609, Merck) Polymerization initiator PI: 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Omnirad 184, manufactured by IGM) (Omnirad is a registered trademark) 1% by mass Spacer SP: 20 μm diameter spherical (biphenyl copolymer) (Micropearl SP-220, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) (Micropearl is a registered trademark) 1% by mass

[0110] ·Ultraviolet polymerizable compound (m=1) Component MN1: Methyl acrylate (chemical formula (9)) Component MN2: Ethyl acrylate (chemical formula (10)) Component MN3 n-butyl acrylate (chemical formula (11)) Component MN4: t-butyl acrylate (chemical formula (12)) Component MN5: Isobornyl acrylate (chemical formula (13))

[0111] [ka]

[0112] [ka]

[0113] [ka]

[0114] [ka]

[0115] [ka]

[0116] ·Ultraviolet polymerizable compound (m=2) Component MN6: 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (chemical formula (14)) Component MN7: 1,9-nonanediol diacrylate (chemical formula (15)) Component MN8: Dipropylene glycol diacrylate (APG-100, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (16)) Component MN9: Polypropylene glycol diacrylate (APG-400, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (17)) Component MN10: Polypropylene glycol diacrylate (APG-700, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (18)) Component MN11: Neopentyl glycol hydroxypivalate diacrylate (FM-400, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (19)) Ingredient MN12: 6-(propenoyloxy)hexanoic acid 3-[2,2-dimethyl-3-[[1-oxo-6-(propenoyloxy)hexyl]oxy]propoxy]-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxopropyl (HX-220, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (20)) Component MN13: Tricyclodecane dimethanol diacrylate (A-DCP, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (21))

[0117] [ka]

[0118] [ka]

[0119] [ka]

[0120] [ka]

[0121] [ka]

[0122] [ka]

[0123] [ka]

[0124] [ka]

[0125] ·Ultraviolet polymerizable compound (m=3) Component MN14: Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (A-TMPT, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (22)) Component MN15: Propoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate (A-TMTP-3PO, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (23))

[0126] [ka]

[0127] [ka]

[0128] ·Ultraviolet polymerizable compound (m=4) Component MN16: Pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (A-TMMT, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (24)) Component MN17: Propoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (ATM-4P, manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) (chemical formula (25))

[0129] [ka]

[0130] [ka]

[0131] Chain transfer agent Component CTA1: 1,4-bis(3-mercaptobutyryloxy)butane (Karenz MT BD1, manufactured by Resonac Co., Ltd.) (Karenz is a registered trademark) (chemical formula (26)) Component CTA2: Trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptobutyrate) (Karenz MT TPBM, manufactured by Resonac Co., Ltd.) (Karenz is a registered trademark) (chemical formula (27)) Component CTA3: Pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptobutyrate) (Karenz MT PE1, manufactured by Resonac Co., Ltd.) (Karenz is a registered trademark) (chemical formula (28))

[0132] [ka]

[0133] [ka]

[0134] [ka]

[0135] [Example 1] As shown in FIG. 4, 50% by mass of the liquid crystal mixture LCM, 35.52% by mass of the component MN1, 8.64% by mass of the component MN14, and 3.84% by mass of the component CTA3 were used. Using the coating liquid of Example 1, a coating film having a thickness of 20 μm was formed on the first transparent electrode layer 21A, and then spacers SP were sprayed into the coating film. Then, in a state in which the coating film on which the spacers SP were sprayed was sandwiched between the first transparent electrode layer 21A and the second transparent electrode layer 22A, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 365 nm were irradiated from both the top and bottom toward the first transparent substrate 21B. In this way, the light control sheet 11N of Example 1 was obtained. At this time, the intensity of the ultraviolet rays was set to 10 mW / cm on one side. 2 The intensity was set to the same for the top and bottom, and the UV irradiation time was set to 100 seconds.

[0136] [Example 2] As shown in FIG. 4, a light controlling sheet 11N of Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 35.52 mass % of the component MN2 was used instead of 35.52 mass % of the component MN1.

[0137] [Examples 3 to 5] 4, the liquid crystal mixture LCM was 40% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, the component MN3 was 28.12% by mass or more and 42.92% by mass or less, the component MN14 was 6.84% by mass or more and 10.44% by mass or less, and the component CTA3 was 3.04% by mass or more and 4.64% by mass or less. Otherwise, the light control sheets 11N of the examples 3 to 5 were obtained by the same method as the example 1.

[0138] [Examples 6 to 8] As shown in FIG. 4, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 6 to 8 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 3 to 5, except that 28.12 mass % or more and 42.92 mass % or less of the component MN4 was used.

[0139] [Examples 9 to 12] 4, 50% by mass of the liquid crystal mixture LCM, 29.76% by mass to 42.72% by mass of the component MN3, 1.44% by mass to 14.40% by mass of the component MN14, and 0.10% by mass to 7.68% by mass of the component CTA3 were used. Otherwise, the light control sheets 11N of Examples 9 to 12 were obtained by the same methods as in Examples 3 to 5.

[0140] [Examples 13 to 15] As shown in Figure 4, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 13 to 15 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 30.72 mass% or more and 39.22 mass% or less, component MN14 was used at 8.64 mass%, and component CTA2 was used at 0.14 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less.

[0141] [Examples 16 to 18] As shown in Figure 4, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 16 to 18 were obtained by the same method as Examples 13 to 15, except that component MN3 was used at 30.72 mass% or more and 39.17 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less.

[0142] [Examples 19 to 22] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 19 to 22 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN4 was used instead of component MN3.

[0143] [Examples 23 to 25] As shown in FIG. 5, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 23 to 25 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 13 to 15, except that component MN4 was used instead of component MN3.

[0144] [Examples 26 to 28] As shown in FIG. 5, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 26 to 28 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 16 to 18, except that component MN4 was used instead of component MN3.

[0145] [Examples 29 to 31] As shown in FIG. 5, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 29 to 31 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN15 was used instead of component MN14.

[0146] [Examples 32 to 34] As shown in FIG. 5, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 32 to 34 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 6 to 8, except that component MN15 was used instead of component MN14.

[0147] [Examples 35 to 38] As shown in FIG. 5, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 35 to 38 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN15 was used instead of component MN14.

[0148] [Examples 39 to 41] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 39 to 41 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 13 to 15, except that component MN15 was used instead of component MN14.

[0149] [Examples 42 to 44] As shown in FIG. 6, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 42 to 44 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 16 to 18, except that component MN15 was used instead of component MN14.

[0150] [Examples 45 to 48] As shown in FIG. 6, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 45 to 48 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 35 to 38, except that component MN4 was used instead of component MN3.

[0151] [Examples 49 to 51] As shown in FIG. 6, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 49 to 51 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 39 to 41, except that component MN4 was used instead of component MN3.

[0152] [Examples 52 to 54] As shown in FIG. 6, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 52 to 54 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 42 to 44, except that component MN4 was used instead of component MN3.

[0153] [Examples 55 to 57] As shown in Figure 6, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 55 to 57 were obtained by the same method as Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN3 was used at 30.40 mass% or more and 46.40 mass% or less, and component MN16 was used at 4.56 mass% or more and 6.96 mass% or less.

[0154] [Examples 58 to 60] As shown in FIG. 6, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 58 to 60 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 55 to 57, except that component MN4 was used instead of component MN3.

[0155] [Examples 61 to 64] As shown in Figure 7, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 61 to 64 were obtained by the same method as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 29.76 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less, and component MN16 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less.

[0156] [Examples 65 to 67] As shown in Figure 7, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 65 to 67 were obtained by a method similar to that of Examples 13 to 15, except that 33.60 mass% or more and 42.10 mass% or less of component MN3 and 5.76 mass% of component MN16 were used.

[0157] [Examples 68 to 70] As shown in Figure 7, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 68 to 70 were obtained by a method similar to that of Examples 65 to 67, except that component MN3 was used at 33.60 mass% or more and 42.05 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less.

[0158] [Examples 71 to 74] As shown in FIG. 7, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 71 to 74 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 61 to 64, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 29.76 mass % or more and 42.72 mass % or less instead of component MN3.

[0159] [Examples 75 to 77] As shown in Figure 7, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 75 to 77 were obtained by the same method as Examples 13 to 15, except that component MN4 was used at 33.60 mass% or more and 42.10 mass% or less instead of component MN3, and component MN16 was used at 5.76 mass% instead of component MN14.

[0160] [Examples 78 to 80] As shown in Figure 7, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 78 to 80 were obtained by the same method as Examples 75 to 77, except that component MN3 was used at 33.60 mass% or more and 42.05 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0161] [Examples 81 to 83] As shown in Figure 8, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 81 to 83 were obtained by the same method as Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN3 was used at 30.40 mass% or more and 46.40 mass% or less, and component MN17 was used at 4.56 mass% or more and 6.96 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0162] [Example 84 to Example 86] As shown in Figure 8, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 84 to 86 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 81 to 83, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 30.40 mass% or more and 46.40 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0163] [Example 87 to Example 90] As shown in Figure 8, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 87 to 90 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 29.76 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less, and component MN17 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0164] [Example 91 to Example 93] As shown in Figure 8, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 91 to 93 were obtained by the same method as Examples 13 to 15, except that 33.60 mass% or more and 42.10 mass% or less of component MN3 was used, and 5.76 mass% of component MN17 was used instead of component MN14.

[0165] [Example 94 to Example 96] As shown in Figure 8, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 94 to 96 were obtained by the same method as Examples 91 to 93, except that component MN3 was used at 33.60 mass% or more and 42.05 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0166] [Examples 97 to 100] As shown in Figure 8, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 97 to 100 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN4 was used at 29.76 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less instead of component MN3, and component MN17 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0167] [Examples 101 to 103] As shown in Figure 9, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 101 to 103 were obtained by the same method as Examples 13 to 15, except that component MN4 was used at 33.60 mass% or more and 42.10 mass% or less instead of component MN3, and component MN17 was used at 5.76 mass% instead of component MN14.

[0168] [Examples 104 to 106] As shown in Figure 9, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 104 to 106 were obtained by the same method as Examples 101 to 103, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 33.60 mass% or more and 42.95 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used in an amount of 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less.

[0169] [Examples 107 to 109] As shown in Figure 9, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 107 to 109 were obtained by the same method as Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN3 was used at 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less, and component MN6 was used at 9.12 mass% or more and 13.92 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0170] [Examples 110 to 112] As shown in FIG. 9, light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 110 to 112 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 107 to 109, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0171] [Examples 113 to 116] As shown in Figure 9, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 113 to 116 were obtained by the same method as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 29.76 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less, and component MN6 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0172] [Examples 117 to 119] As shown in Figure 9, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 117 to 119 were obtained by a method similar to that of Examples 13 to 15, except that 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less of component MN3 was used, and 11.52 mass% of component MN6 was used instead of component MN14.

[0173] [Examples 120 to 122] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 120 to 122 were obtained by the same method as Examples 117 to 119, except that component MN3 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0174] [Examples 123 to 126] As shown in Figure 10, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 123 to 126 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 113 to 116, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 29.76 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0175] [Examples 127 to 129] As shown in FIG. 10, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 127 to 129 were obtained in the same manner as in Examples 117 to 119, except that 27.84 mass % or more and 36.34 mass % or less of the component MN4 was used.

[0176] [Examples 130 to 132] As shown in Figure 10, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 130 to 132 were obtained by a method similar to that of Examples 127 to 129, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used in an amount of 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less.

[0177] [Examples 133 to 135] As shown in Figure 10, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 133 to 135 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN3 was used at 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less, and component MN7 was used at 9.12 mass% or more and 13.92 mass% or less instead of component 14.

[0178] [Examples 136 to 138] As shown in Figure 10, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 136 to 138 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 133 to 135, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0179] [Examples 139 to 142] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 139 to 142 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 28.80 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less, and component MN7 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0180] [Examples 143 to 145] As shown in Figure 11, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 143 to 145 were obtained by the same method as Examples 13 to 15, except that 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less of component MN3 was used and 11.52 mass% of component MN7 was used instead of component MN14.

[0181] [Examples 146 to 148] As shown in Figure 11, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 146 to 148 were obtained by the same method as Examples 143 to 145, except that component MN3 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0182] [Examples 149 to 152] As shown in FIG. 11, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 149 to 152 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 139 to 142, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 28.80 mass % or more and 42.72 mass % or less instead of component MN3.

[0183] [Examples 153 to 155] As shown in FIG. 11, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 153 to 155 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 143 to 145, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0184] [Examples 156 to 158] As shown in Figure 11, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 156 to 158 were obtained by the same method as Examples 153 to 155, except that component MN4 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0185] [Example 159 to Example 161] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 159 to 161 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN3 was used at 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less, and component MN8 was used at 9.12 mass% or more and 13.92 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0186] [Examples 162 to 164] As shown in Figure 12, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 162 to 164 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 159 to 161, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0187] [Examples 165 to 168] As shown in Figure 12, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 165 to 168 were obtained by the same method as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 28.80 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less, and component MN8 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0188] [Examples 169 to 171] As shown in Figure 12, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 169 to 171 were obtained by a method similar to that of Examples 13 to 15, except that 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less of component MN3 was used and 11.52 mass% of component MN8 was used instead of component MN4.

[0189] [Examples 172 to 174] As shown in Figure 12, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 172 to 174 were obtained by the same method as Examples 169 to 171, except that component MN3 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0190] [Examples 175 to 178] As shown in Figure 12, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 175 to 178 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 165 to 168, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 28.80 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0191] [Examples 179 to 181] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 179 to 181 were obtained by a method similar to that of Examples 169 to 171, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0192] [Examples 182 to 184] As shown in Figure 13, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 182 to 184 were obtained by the same method as Examples 179 to 181, except that component MN4 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0193] [Examples 185 to 187] As shown in Figure 13, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 185 to 187 were obtained by the same method as Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN3 was used at 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less, and component MN9 was used at 9.12 mass% or more and 13.92 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0194] [Example 188 to Example 190] As shown in Figure 13, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 188 to 190 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 185 to 187, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0195] [Examples 191 to 194] As shown in Figure 13, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 191 to 194 were obtained by the same method as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 28.80 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less, and component MN9 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0196] [Examples 195 to 197] As shown in Figure 13, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 195 to 197 were obtained by the same method as Examples 13 to 15, except that 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less of component MN3 was used, and 11.52 mass% of component MN9 was used instead of component MN14.

[0197] [Examples 198 to 200] As shown in Figure 13, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 198 to 200 were obtained by the same method as Examples 195 to 197, except that component MN3 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0198] [Examples 201 to 204] As shown in FIG. 14, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 201 to 204 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 191 to 194, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 28.80 mass % or more and 42.72 mass % or less instead of component MN3.

[0199] [Examples 205 to 207] As shown in Figure 14, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 205 to 207 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 195 to 197, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0200] [Examples 208 to 210] As shown in Figure 14, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 208 to 210 were obtained by the same method as Examples 205 to 207, except that component MN4 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0201] [Examples 211 to 213] As shown in Figure 14, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 211 to 213 were obtained by the same method as Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN3 was used at 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less, and component MN10 was used at 9.12 mass% or more and 13.92 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0202] [Examples 214 to 216] As shown in Figure 14, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 214 to 216 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 211 to 213, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0203] [Examples 217 to 220] As shown in Figure 14, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 217 to 220 were obtained by the same method as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 28.80 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less, and component MN10 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0204] [Examples 221 to 223] As shown in Figure 15, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 221 to 223 were obtained by the same method as Examples 13 to 15, except that 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less of component MN3 was used and 11.52 mass% of component MN10 was used instead of component MN14.

[0205] [Example 224 to Example 226] As shown in Figure 15, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 224 to 226 were obtained by the same method as Examples 221 to 223, except that component MN3 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0206] [Examples 227 to 230] As shown in FIG. 15, the light controlling sheets 11N of Examples 227 to 230 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 217 to 220, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 28.80 mass % or more and 42.72 mass % or less instead of component MN3.

[0207] [Examples 231 to 233] As shown in FIG. 15, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 231 to 233 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 221 to 223, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0208] [Example 234 to Example 236] As shown in Figure 15, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 234 to 236 were obtained by the same method as Examples 231 to 233, except that component MN4 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0209] [Examples 237 to 239] As shown in Figure 15, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 237 to 239 were obtained by the same method as Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN3 was used at 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less, and component MN11 was used at 9.12 mass% or more and 13.92 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0210] [Example 240 to Example 242] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 240 to 242 were obtained by a method similar to that of Examples 237 to 239, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0211] [Examples 243 to 246] As shown in Figure 16, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 243 to 246 were obtained by the same method as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 28.80 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less, and component MN11 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0212] [Examples 247 to 249] As shown in Figure 16, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 247 to 249 were obtained by a method similar to that of Examples 13 to 15, except that 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less of component MN3 was used, and 11.52 mass% of component MN11 was used instead of component MN14.

[0213] [Examples 250 to 252] As shown in Figure 16, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 250 to 252 were obtained by the same method as Examples 247 to 249, except that component MN3 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0214] [Example 253 to Example 256] As shown in FIG. 16, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 253 to 256 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 243 to 246, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 28.80 mass % or more and 42.72 mass % or less instead of component MN3.

[0215] [Examples 257 to 259] As shown in Figure 16, light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 257 to 259 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 247 to 249, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0216] [Example 260 to Example 262] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 260 to 262 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 257 to 259, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used in place of component CTA2 in an amount of 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less.

[0217] [Example 263 to Example 265] As shown in Figure 17, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 263 to 265 were obtained by the same method as Examples 3 to 5, except that component MN3 was used at 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less, and component MN12 was used at 9.12 mass% or more and 13.92 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0218] [Example 266 to Example 268] As shown in Figure 17, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 266 to 268 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 263 to 265, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 25.84 mass% or more and 39.44 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0219] [Example 269 to Example 272] As shown in Figure 17, the light-control sheets 11N of Examples 269 to 272 were obtained by the same method as Examples 9 to 12, except that component MN3 was used at 28.80 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less, and component MN12 was used at 1.44 mass% or more and 14.40 mass% or less instead of component MN14.

[0220] [Example 273 to Example 275] As shown in Figure 17, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 273 to 275 were obtained by the same method as Examples 13 to 15, except that 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less of component MN3 was used, and 11.52 mass% of component MN12 was used instead of component MN14.

[0221] [Examples 276 to 278] As shown in Figure 17, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 276 to 278 were obtained by the same method as Examples 273 to 275, except that component MN3 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0222] [Example 279 to Example 282] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 279 to 282 were obtained by a method similar to that of Examples 269 to 272, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 28.80 mass% or more and 42.72 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0223] [Example 283 to Example 285] As shown in Figure 18, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 283 to 285 were obtained in the same manner as Examples 273 to 275, except that component MN4 was used in an amount of 27.84 mass% or more and 36.34 mass% or less instead of component MN3.

[0224] [Example 286 to Example 288] As shown in Figure 18, the light-controlling sheets 11N of Examples 286 to 288 were obtained by the same method as Examples 283 to 285, except that component MN4 was used at 27.84 mass% or more and 36.29 mass% or less, and component CTA1 was used at 0.19 mass% or more and 8.64 mass% or less instead of component CTA2.

[0225] [Example 289] As shown in FIG. 18, a light controlling sheet 11N of Example 289 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 61, except that 38.40 mass % of the component NM3 and 5.76 mass % of the component NM16 were used.

[0226] [Comparative Example 1 to Comparative Example 3] As shown in Figure 19, the light-control sheets 11N of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were obtained by a method similar to that of Example 1, except that 38.40 mass% of component MN5 and 5.76 mass% of component MN16, 35.52 mass% of component MN5 and 8.64 mass% of component MN14, or 32.64 mass% of component MN5 and 11.52 mass% of component MN11 were used.

[0227] [Comparative Examples 4 and 5] As shown in FIG. 19, the light-control sheets 11N of Comparative Examples 4 and 5 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 32.64 mass% of component MN3 or 32.64 mass% of component MN4 and 11.52 mass% of component MN13 were used.

[0228] [Comparative Example 6] As shown in Figure 19, the light-controlling sheet 11N of Comparative Example 6 was obtained by a method similar to that of Example 1, except that 35 mass% of liquid crystal mixture LCM, 50.40 mass% of component MN3, 7.56 mass% of component MN16, and 5.04 mass% of component CTA3 were used.

[0229] [Comparative Example 7] As shown in Figure 19, the light-controlling sheet 11N of Comparative Example 7 was obtained by a method similar to that of Example 1, except that 70 mass% of liquid crystal mixture LCM, 22.40 mass% of component MN3, 3.36 mass% of component MN16, and 2.24 mass% of component CTA3 were used.

[0230] [Comparative Example 8] As shown in Figure 19, the light-control sheet 11N of Comparative Example 8 was obtained by a method similar to that of Example 1, except that 42.24 mass% of component MN3 was used, 5.76 mass% of component MN16 was used instead of component MN14, and components CTA1 to CTA3 were not used.

[0231] [Comparative Example 9] A light-controlling sheet 11N of Comparative Example 9 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 30.24 mass% of component MN3 was used, 5.76 mass% of component MN16 was used instead of component MN14, and 12.00 mass% of component CTA3 was used.

[0232] [Evaluation method] [Response Time] For the light controlling sheet 11N of each example and each comparative example, the time required for the light controlling sheet 11N to switch from opaque to transparent was measured as the response time in the ON operation. At this time, the temperature of the environment in which the light controlling sheet 11N was placed was set to -20°C. The time required for the light controlling sheet 11N to switch from opaque to transparent is the time from the start of application of the driving voltage to the time when the haze value of the light controlling sheet 11N stabilizes.

[0233] [contrast] For the light-adjusting sheets 11N of each of the examples and comparative examples, the haze value when they are opaque, i.e., when no current is applied, and the haze value when they are transparent, i.e., when current is applied, were measured at 23° C. In this case, the haze value of each light-adjusting sheet 11N was measured by a method conforming to JIS K 7136:2000 "Method of determining haze for plastics-transparent materials."

[0234] Next, the measurement results of the haze value of the light adjusting sheet 11N of each example and comparative example were substituted into the following formula to calculate the contrast of the light adjusting sheet 11N of each example and comparative example.

[0235] (Contrast) = (Haze value when opaque) / (Haze value when transparent) The comment last value was judged according to the following three levels. Less than 7: ×: Insufficient contrast 7 or more and less than 10: ○: Good contrast is obtained 10 or more: ◎: Better contrast is obtained

[0236] [Mechanical properties] The mechanical properties of the light-adjusting sheet 11N were evaluated at the following two levels. The mechanical properties of the light-adjusting sheet 11N were evaluated by the following method. First, the ends of the first transparent conductive sheet 21 and the second transparent conductive sheet 22 in the light-adjusting sheet were held by hand so that they faced each other. Next, with the second transparent conductive sheet 22 fixed to the desk, the end of the first transparent conductive sheet 21 was lifted by 2 mm, and it was visually confirmed whether peeling proceeded from the end of the first transparent conductive sheet 21 toward the inside of the light-adjusting sheet 11N by 2 cm or more. ○: The amount of peeling inward of the light-adjusting sheet 11N is less than 2 cm. ×: The amount of peeling inward of the light control sheet 11N is 2 cm or more.

[0237] [Evaluation Results] The light controlling sheets of each Example and Comparative Example were evaluated for response time, contrast, and mechanical properties, and the results are shown in FIGS.

[0238] It was found that the mechanical properties of the light controlling sheet 11N of each example were evaluated as "○", while the mechanical properties of the light controlling sheet 11N of Comparative Example 7 were evaluated as "×". From these results, it can be said that from the viewpoint of preventing peeling in the light controlling sheet 11N, it is preferable that the upper limit of the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is 60 mass %.

[0239] Also, while the contrast evaluation results for the light adjusting sheet 11N of each example were "○" or "◎", the contrast evaluation result for the light adjusting sheet 11N of Comparative Example 6 was "×". From these results, it can be said that from the viewpoint of increasing the contrast of the light adjusting sheet 11N, it is preferable that the lower limit of the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is 40 mass%. Furthermore, from the evaluation results of the contrast of the light adjusting sheet 11N of each example, it can be said that from the viewpoint of increasing the contrast of the light adjusting sheet 11N, it is more preferable that the lower limit of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is 50 mass%.

[0240] Also, it was found that the response time of the light controlling sheet 11N of each example was 4.0 seconds or less, while the response time of the light controlling sheet 11N of Comparative Example 6 was 5.1 seconds. From these results, it can be said that a lower limit of the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM of 40 mass % is preferable from the viewpoint of improving the responsiveness of the light controlling sheet 11N in a low-temperature environment.

[0241] Thus, from the standpoint of achieving both improved responsiveness of the light-controlling sheet 11N in low-temperature environments, improved contrast of the light-controlling sheet 11N, and improved mechanical properties, it is preferable for the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM to be 40% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, and it is even more preferable for the content to be 50% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less.

[0242] It was found that the response time of the light controlling sheet 11N of each example was 4.0 seconds or less, while the response time of the light controlling sheet 11N of Comparative Example 1 to Comparative Example 5 was 10.0 seconds or more. From these results, it can be said that the responsiveness of the light controlling sheet 11N in a low temperature environment is improved by the transparent polymer layer 23P of the light controlling sheet 11N not including a ring structure.

[0243] It was found that the contrast of the light adjusting sheet 11N of each example was evaluated as "○" or "◎", while the contrast of the light adjusting sheet 11N of Comparative Example 8 and Comparative Example 9 was evaluated as "×". From these results, it can be said that from the viewpoint of increasing the contrast of the light adjusting sheet 11N, it is preferable that the content of sulfur atoms contained in the transparent polymer layer 23P is 0.04 mass % or more and 4.0 mass % or less.

[0244] It was confirmed that the response time of the light controlling sheet 11N of each example was 4.0 seconds or less. This indicates that the average number of acryloyl groups is preferably 1.55 or less, and more preferably 1.5 or less. Furthermore, from the evaluation results of the response time of the light controlling sheet 11N of each example, it can be said that, assuming that the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is the same, in terms of improving the responsiveness of the light controlling sheet 11N, it is preferable that the ratio of the content of sulfur atoms to the average number of acryloyl groups is large.

[0245] From the viewpoint of improving the responsiveness of the light controlling sheet 11N, the lower limit of the ratio of the sulfur atom content to the average number of acryloyl groups is preferably 1.0 or more, more preferably 1.4 or more, and even more preferably 1.5 or more. From the viewpoint of improving the contrast of the light controlling sheet 11N, the upper limit of the ratio of the sulfur atom content to the average number of acryloyl groups is preferably 4.0 or less, more preferably 3.5 or less, and even more preferably 2.0 or less.

[0246] As described above, according to one embodiment of the light controlling sheet, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Because the polymer compound does not contain a cyclic structure, the intermolecular forces between the liquid crystal mixture LCM and the polymer compound are suppressed in a low-temperature environment, which makes the liquid crystal compound easier to drive in a low-temperature environment.

[0247] (2) Since the lower limit of the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is 40% by mass, the light is easily scattered in the light control sheets 11N, 11R to the extent that the light control sheets 11N, 11R have high contrast. Since the upper limit of the content of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is 65% by mass, the transparent polymer layer 23P contained in the light control layer 23 can maintain high adhesion strength between the light control layer 23 and the transparent conductive sheets 21, 22.

[0248] (3) Since the lower limit of the sulfur atom content in the transparent polymer layer 23P is 0.03 mass%, the size of the voids 23D formed in the transparent polymer layer 23P is less likely to vary, and as a result, the degree of light scattering in the plane of the light adjusting sheets 11N, 11R is less likely to vary. Also, since the upper limit of the sulfur atom content in the transparent polymer layer 23P is 4 mass%, the curing speed of the transparent polymer layer 23P is prevented from becoming excessively slow. This prevents the voids 23D formed in the transparent polymer layer 23P from becoming excessively large and small, and therefore prevents the area of ​​the interface between the transparent polymer layer 23P and the voids 23D from decreasing, and as a result, prevents light scattering from becoming difficult to occur.

[0249] (4) Since the transparent polymer layer 23P contains more first repeating units, each of which has a smaller number of acryloyl groups than the second repeating units, than the second repeating units, the average number of acryloyl groups in the transparent polymer layer 23P is prevented from becoming excessively large, thereby preventing the curing speed of the transparent polymer layer 23P from becoming excessively high.

[0250] (5) In transparent polymer layer 23P, the ratio of the second repeating units to the first repeating units is suppressed to about ½ at most, so that the average number of acryloyl groups in transparent polymer layer 23P is further suppressed from becoming excessively large.

[0251] (6) When the average number of acryloyl groups is 1.5 or less, the curing speed of the transparent polymer layer 23P is prevented from becoming excessively high. This prevents the purity of the liquid crystal mixture LCM from decreasing in the liquid crystal composition 23LC contained in the voids 23D of the transparent polymer layer 23P. As a result, the driving of the liquid crystal mixture LCM is less likely to be hindered by impurities in the liquid crystal composition 23LC. [Explanation of symbols]

[0252] 10N: Normal type dimmer 10R…Reverse type dimmer 11N, 11R…Light control sheet 21...First transparent conductive sheet 21A...first transparent electrode layer 21B...First transparent base material 21C…First alignment film 22...Second transparent conductive sheet 22A…Second transparent electrode layer 22B...Second transparent base material 22C…Second alignment film 23...Photochromic layer 23D…Void 23P…Transparent polymer layer

Claims

1. A first transparent conductive sheet; A second transparent conductive sheet; a light control layer located between the first transparent conductive sheet and the second transparent conductive sheet, A light-controlling sheet configured to be capable of switching between a transparent state and an opaque state of the light-controlling layer by switching between a state in which a voltage is applied between the first transparent conductive sheet and the second transparent conductive sheet and a state in which a voltage is not applied, the light-controlling layer includes a transparent polymer layer defining a plurality of voids, and a liquid crystal composition including one or more liquid crystal compounds and filling the voids; The content by mass of the liquid crystal compound relative to the mass of the light-adjusting layer is 40% by mass or more and 65% by mass or less, the content of sulfur atoms by mass relative to the mass of the transparent polymer layer is 0.03% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less; The transparent polymer layer contains a polymer compound represented by the following chemical formula (1), and X in the chemical formula (1) does not contain a cyclic structure. 【Chemistry 1】 In the chemical formula (1), n ​​is an integer of 1 or more, m is an integer of 1 or more and 4 or less, X is linear or branched, and does not contain a functional group or contains at least one or both of an ether group and an ester group as a functional group. Dimming sheet.

2. the transparent polymer layer includes one or more types of first repeat units and one or more types of second repeat units, In the first repeating unit, X in the chemical formula (1) has a linear or branched carbon chain and does not contain a functional group or contains at least one or both of an ether group and an ester group as a functional group, and m is 1; In the second repeating unit, X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by any one of the following chemical formulas (2) to (7): 【Chemistry 2】 In the above chemical formula (2), na is an integer of 2 or more and 9 or less, and when X in the above chemical formula (1) is represented by the above chemical formula (2), m in the above chemical formula (1) is 2. 【Chemistry 3】 In the above chemical formula (3), nb is an integer of 2 to 12, and when X in the above chemical formula (1) is represented by the above chemical formula (3), m in the above chemical formula (1) is 2. 【Chemistry 4】 However, when X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by the chemical formula (4), m in the chemical formula (1) is 2. 【Chemistry 5】 In the chemical formula (5), mc and nc are each an integer of 1 or more, and the sum of mc and nc is 2 or 4. When X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by the chemical formula (5), m in the chemical formula (1) is 2. 【Chemistry 6】 In the above formula (6), R １ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, ld, md, and nd are each an integer of 0 or 1 or more, and when X in the chemical formula (1) is represented by the chemical formula (6), m in the chemical formula (1) is 3. 【Chemistry 7】 In the above chemical formula (7), ke, le, me, and ne are each an integer of 0 or 1 or more, and when X in the above chemical formula (1) is represented by the above chemical formula (7), m in the above chemical formula (1) is 4. The light controlling sheet according to claim 1 .

3. a ratio of the mass of the first repeating unit to the mass of the transparent polymer layer is greater than a ratio of the mass of the second repeating unit to the mass of the transparent polymer layer. The light controlling sheet according to claim 2 .

4. a content by mass of the first repeating unit relative to a mass of the transparent polymer layer is 26% by mass or more and 46% by mass or less; The content of the second repeating unit relative to the mass of the transparent polymer layer is 1% by mass or more and 14% by mass or less. The light controlling sheet according to claim 3 .

5. the first repeat unit is derived from at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and t-butyl acrylate; The second repeating unit is derived from one or more selected from the group consisting of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 1,9-nonanediol diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol hydroxypivalic acid ester diacrylate, 6-(propenoyloxy)hexanoic acid 3-[2,2-dimethyl-3-[[1-oxo-6-(propenoyloxy)hexyl]oxy]propoxy]-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxopropyl, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, propoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, and propoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate. The light controlling sheet according to claim 4.

6. When the number of acryloyl groups per molecule of the polymer compound k contained in the transparent polymer layer is fk and the molar fraction of the polymer compound k with respect to the total number of moles of the polymer compounds is nk, the value of the average number of acryloyl groups fave represented by the following formula (1) is 1.5 or less. [0010] The light controlling sheet according to claim 1 .

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