Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition and dimming element

Abstract

To provide a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition having no or little change in properties even when exposed to unexpected ultraviolet irradiation and further to provide a liquid crystal element, a display element or a dimming element using those compositions.SOLUTION: There is provided a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition which comprises: as a first component, one or two or more non-polymerizable liquid crystal compounds; as a second component, one or two or more polymerizable compounds; as a third component, one or two or more polymerization initiators; as a fourth component, one or two or more polymerization inhibitors, wherein the polymerization inhibitor is a compound which has a polymerization inhibiting effect or a radical scavenger effect and does not require oxygen in exhibiting the effect.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal element obtained by using the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition, and a light control element using the liquid crystal element. The light control element includes a light control element used for a smart window, window glass, door, partition, privacy glass, etc. of buildings such as houses and buildings; a light control element used for glass windows, mirrors, roofs, etc. of railway and automobile vehicles, ships, aircraft, etc.; a light shutter used for light control of digital cameras, smartphones, etc., a light diffusing plate for a display light source, a light guide plate, and a reflector for a reflective display or a transparent display.

Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of the performance of displays, it is expected to be applied to mobile device displays such as smartphones and tablet devices with high expressiveness, transparent displays for TVs and window displays, liquid crystal displays with high contrast ratios, and light control elements with a light shutter function capable of adjusting the desired transmittance-scattering degree. The development of light control materials for realizing these is an important issue. Among the materials for dimming elements, as a transmission-scattering type dimming element material, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display element (PN-LCD) using polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) and polymer-network liquid crystal (PNLC) is a liquid crystal element system in which liquid crystal and polymer are phase-separated from each other in the element and a polymer network is formed by the polymer. Since PN-LCD is a display method that utilizes the contrast ratio between the transparent state and the turbid state, it does not require optical films such as polarizing plates. Therefore, compared with liquid crystal display elements of TN, STN, IPS, or VA modes using polarizing plates, there is an advantage that bright display can be realized, and moreover, since the configuration of the element is simple, it is applied to light shutter applications such as dimming glass and segment display applications such as watches (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). In recent years, liquid crystal elements with unprecedented designs such as transmissive displays, flexible displays, and visible / infrared optical elements are also being developed towards practical use.

[0003] The above PN-LCD is generally manufactured by a polymerization phase separation method using ultraviolet irradiation. Therefore, the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition has reactivity to light, especially ultraviolet light. Since this ultraviolet light is also included in light such as fluorescent lamps, there is a possibility of being exposed to ultraviolet light during the manufacturing process. In recent years, when injecting the liquid crystal composition into the panel, it is often performed by a dropping method such as ODF instead of the conventional vacuum injection method. At that time, in order to temporarily cure the sealant, it is necessary to irradiate the panel with UV light, and although the liquid crystal composition may be subjected to a light-shielding treatment, it is not perfect, and the liquid crystal composition is often exposed to ultraviolet light due to light leakage or the like. In these cases, when it is a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition having reactivity to ultraviolet light, there has been a problem that an unexpected curing reaction proceeds and the desired characteristics cannot be obtained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0005] In view of the above situation, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition that exhibits no change or only a small change in properties even when exposed to unexpected ultraviolet irradiation. Another object is to provide a liquid crystal element, a display element, or a light control element using such a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0006] As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that by using a specific polymerization inhibitor as the fourth component, it is possible to obtain a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition that exhibits no change or only a small change in properties even when exposed to unexpected ultraviolet irradiation, and to obtain a liquid crystal element, a display element, or a light control element using the same, thus completing the present invention. That is, the present invention provides the following polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition, liquid crystal element, display element, or light control element.

[0007] [1] Containing one or more non-polymerizable liquid crystal compounds as the first component, Containing one or more polymerizable compounds as the second component, Containing one or more polymerization initiators as the third component, Containing one or more polymerization inhibitors as the fourth component, A polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition, characterized in that the polymerization inhibitor has a polymerization inhibition effect or a radical scavenging effect and does not require oxygen for the expression of the effect. [2] The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to [1], wherein the fourth component is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of general formula (I-a), general formula (I-b), general formula (I-c) and general formula (I-d). [Chemical formula] (In the formula, U represents an n-valent organic group, R 2 ~R 5 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Z 1 represents -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -NH-, -NHCO-, -CONH- or a single bond, Sp 1 represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, n represents an integer from 1 to 4, G 1 ~G 8 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a hydroxyl group.) [3] The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to [2], wherein U in the general formula (I-a) is represented by the general formula (U-1). [Chemical formula] (In the formula, Z u1 and Z u2Each independently represents -O-, -S-, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -CH2CH2-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -SCH2-, -CH2S-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2S-, -SCF2-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -COO-CH2CH2-, -OCO-CH2CH2-, -CH2CH2-COO-, -CH2CH2-OCO-, -COO-CH2-, -OCO-CH2-, -CH2-COO-, -CH2-OCO-, -CH=CH-, -N=N-, -CH=N-, -N=CH-, -CH=N-N=CH-, -CF=CF-, -C≡C- or a single bond, A u1 is (a) 1,4-cyclohexylene group (one -CH2- present in this group or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- may be replaced by -O-.) (b) 1,4-phenylene group (one -CH= present in this group or two or more non-adjacent -CH= may be replaced by -N=.) and (c) naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group or decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group (one -CH= present in the naphthalene-2,6-diyl group or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group or two or more non-adjacent -CH= may be replaced by -N=.) represents a group selected from the group consisting of, and the above groups (a), (b), and (c) are each independently a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a pentafluorosulfuranyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an isocyano group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a diethylamino group, a diisopropylamino group, a trimethylsilyl group, a dimethylsilyl group, a thioisocyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, which may be substituted, and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- present in the alkyl group are each independently -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -OCF2-, -CF2O-, or -C≡C- and may be substituted, Sp u1 represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- present in the alkylene group, in Sp u1 adjacent to Z u1 the -CH2- not directly bonded to is each independently -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -OCF2-, -CF2O-, or -C≡C- and may be substituted, W represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a pentafluorosulfuranyl group, a nitro group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, or a monovalent to tetravalent organic group, and the valence of W is the same as the number represented by n in the general formula (I-a), pu1 represents an integer from 0 to 8, nu1 represents an integer from 1 to 4, and nu1 and n in the general formula (I-a) are the same number, Z u1 、Z u2 、Sp u1 and A u1When there are a plurality of them, they may be the same or different.) [4] The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to [2] or [3], wherein n in the general formula (I-a) is 1 or 2. [5] The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the molecular weight of the compound contained as the fourth component is 230 or more. [6] A liquid crystal element obtained by using the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [5]. [7] A pair of transparent electrode substrates, A display element or a light control element having a liquid crystal polymer composite including a polymer network and a liquid crystal compound disposed between the transparent electrode substrates, wherein the polymer network is a polymer network derived from the polymerizable compound contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [5], and the liquid crystal compound is a non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [5].

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition that shows no change or little change in characteristics even when exposed to unexpected ultraviolet irradiation. Further, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal display element, a display element or a light control element using the above polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Embodiments of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present invention, and a liquid crystal element, a display element or a light control element using the same will be described. It should be noted that the present embodiment is described as a specific example for better understanding of the gist of the invention, and does not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0010] <Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition> The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to one embodiment of the present invention (the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment) contains one or more non-polymerizable liquid crystal compounds as the first component. As the second component, it contains one or more polymerizable compounds. As the third component, it contains one or more polymerization initiators. And as the fourth component, it contains one or more polymerization inhibitors. The polymerization inhibitor is a compound having a polymerization inhibition effect or a radical scavenging effect and does not require oxygen for the expression of the effect.

[0011] In the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment, the weight ratio (LB / MA) of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB) of the first component to the polymerizable compound (MA) of the second component may be in the range of 85 / 15 to 50 / 50, or may be 80 / 20 to 60 / 40. Hereinafter, the first component to the fourth component will be specifically described.

[0012] (First Component) "Non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB)" The non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB) preferably contains at least one selected from the group consisting of the first-1 component, the first-2 component, the first-3 component, and the first-4 component as the first component. It is more preferable to contain at least one from each of the first-1 component, the first-3 component, and the first-4 component, more preferably to contain at least one from each of the first-1 component and the first-3 component, and more preferably to contain at least one from each of the first-1 component and the first-4 component.

[0013] [First-1 Component] The first-1 component contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula (iii).

[0014] [Chemical formula]

[0015] (In the formula, R iii1are, independently of each other, an n-alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, an n-alkoxy group, an alkenyl group having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, an alkenyloxy group or an alkoxyalkyl group,

[0016] R iii2 represents a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a cyano group, a CF3 group, an OCF3 group, an OCHF2 group, an NCS group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two non-adjacent -CH2- groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom, -COO-, -OCO-, and one or more -CH2CH2- may be replaced by -CH=CH-, or -C≡C-, preferably a fluorine atom, a cyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (one or two non-adjacent -CH2- groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom, and one or more -CH2CH2- may be replaced by -CH=CH-, or -CH≡CH-),

[0017] A iii1 represents a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,4-phenylene group, a 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, a 2-methyl-1,4-phenylene group, a 3-methyl-1,4-phenylene group, a 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene group, a 3,5-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene group or a 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene group,

[0018] A iii2 and A iii3Each, independently of one another, represents a 1,4-phenylene group, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 2-methyl-1,4-phenylene group, 3-methyl-1,4-phenylene group, 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene group, 3,5-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene group or 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene group,

[0019] Z iii1 and Z iii2 One of them is -C≡C-, and the other, if present, is -C≡C-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -COO-, -CH2-CH2-, -CF2-CF2- or a single bond, n iii is 0 or 1.)

[0020] When the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB) contains one or more of the trand compounds represented by the above general formula (iii), in a liquid crystal element using the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition containing the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB), the adhesion and light scattering properties are good, and low voltage driving at room temperature and low temperature can be realized.

[0021] Also, in the compound represented by the general formula (iii), A iii1 is preferably a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, 1,4-phenylene group, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group. From the viewpoint of enhancing the scattering property, A iii1 is preferably a 1,4-phenylene group.

[0022] Also, A iii2 and A iii3is preferably a 1,4-phenylene group, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene group, 2-methyl-1,4-phenylene group, or 3-methyl-1,4-phenylene group. From the viewpoint of high-speed response, A iii2 and A iii3 are

[0023] [Chemical formula] It is preferable to contain a compound represented by The compound represented by the above formula (iii) may preferably be a compound represented by the following subordinate formulas (iii-1) to (iii-8).

[0024] [Chemical formula]

[0025] [Chemical formula]

[0026] (In the formula, R iii1 and R iii2 have the meanings shown in the above formula (iii), Y iii1 and Y iii2 are each independently H or F, and Y iii3 is a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a methyl group.) Among these, the compound represented by the above general formula (iii) is more preferably a compound represented by the above subordinate general formulas (iii-6) to (iii-8).

[0027] The compound represented by the above general formula (iii) as the first component is preferably 10% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 25% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, and still more preferably 35% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB).

[0028] [Component 1-2] Component 1-2 contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula (vi-0).

[0029] [Chemical formula]

[0030] (In the formula, R 11 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two non-adjacent -CH2- groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom, -COO-, -OCO-, and one or more -CH2CH2- may be replaced by -CH≡CH-. R 12 represents a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a cyano group, a CF3 group, an OCF3 group, an OCHF2 group, an NCS group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. One or two non-adjacent -CH2- groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom, -COO-, -OCO-, and one or more -CH2CH2- may be replaced by -C≡C-. Preferably, it is a fluorine atom, a cyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom).

[0031] Z 11 and Z 12 each independently represents a single bond, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH2-CH2-, -CH=CH-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, or -C≡C-. When a plurality of Z 12 are present, they may be the same or different.

[0032] A 11 A 12 and A 13Each independently represents a 1,4-phenylene group, 1,4-cyclohexylene group, 1,4-cyclohexenyl group, tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl group, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl group, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, pyridine-2,5-diyl group, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group, pyrazine-2,5-diyl group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, 2,6-naphthylene group, and the 1,4-phenylene group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, 2,6-naphthylene group may be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, CF3 groups, OCF3 groups or CH3 groups as substituents, A 13 When a plurality of A's exist, they may be the same or different, n 11 is 0, 1 or 2.)

[0033] As the compound of the general formula (vi-0), R in the general formula (vi-0) 11 is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by oxygen atoms), R 12 is preferably a fluorine atom, a cyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by oxygen atoms), Z 11 and Z 12 each independently represents a single bond, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH2-CH2-, -CF2O- or -OCF2- (when a plurality of Z's exist, they may be the same or different), and is preferably a single bond, -COO- or -CF2O-, A 11 When a plurality of A's exist, they may be the same or different, and is more preferably a single bond, -COO- or -CF2O-, A 11 A 12 and A 13is, independently of each other, a 1,4-phenylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl group, a pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group or a 2,6-naphthylene group (the 1,4-phenylene group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, 2,6-naphthylene group may be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms or CH3 groups as substituents, and A 13 when a plurality of them are present, they may be the same or different), and preferably is a 1,4-phenylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group or a 2,6-naphthylene group (the 1,4-phenylene group, 2,6-naphthylene group may be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms or CH3 groups as substituents, and A 13 when a plurality of them are present, they may be the same or different), more preferably, n 11 is preferably 0 or 1.

[0034] The compound represented by the general formula (vi-0) is more preferably one or more of the liquid crystalline compounds represented by the following general formula (vi).

[0035] [Chemical formula]

[0036] (In the formula, R 3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom, -CH=CH-, -COO-, -OCO-.

[0037] A 6represents a 1,4-phenylene group, 1,4-cyclohexylene group, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl group, pyridine-2,5-diyl group or pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group, and the 1,4-phenylene group can be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, CF3, OCF3 or methyl groups as substituents.

[0038] A 7 represents a 1,4-phenylene group or 1,4-cyclohexylene group, and the 1,4-phenylene group can be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, CF3, OCF3 or methyl groups as substituents.

[0039] A 8 represents a 1,4-phenylene group, and the 1,4-phenylene group can be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, CF3, OCF3 or methyl groups as substituents.

[0040] Z 6 and Z 7 each independently represents a single bond, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH2-CH2-, -CH=CH-, -CF2O-, -OCF2- or -C≡C-. n 12 represents 0 or 1. However, except for the first component.)

[0041] Also, in the general formula (vi), R 3 is more preferably an alkyl group or alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. A 6 and A 7 are more preferably a 1,4-phenylene group, 1,4-cyclohexylene group (the 1,4-phenylene group can be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms as substituents). Z 6 and Z 7 each independently are more preferably a single bond, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH2-CH2-, and even more preferably a single bond or -COO-. Also, in the general formula (vi), R 3represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 7 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 5 carbon atoms,

[0042] A 7 is a 1,4-phenylene group or a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, and the 1,4-phenylene group may be unsubstituted or may have one fluorine atom as a substituent, and n 12 It is most preferable to contain at least a compound in which 0 is represented in order to lower the viscosity of the liquid crystal and enhance the low-temperature drivability.

[0043] In the general formula (vi), A 7 and A 8 represent a 1,4-phenylene group, and either one of the 1,4-phenylene groups has at least one or more fluorine atoms as a substituent, and Z 6 、Z 7 and Z 8 represent a single bond or -COO-, and A 6 represents a 1,4-phenylene group or a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, and n 12 It is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the voltage to use a compound represented by 0 or 1. Specifically, the following compounds (vi-1) to (vi-11) can be mentioned.

[0044]

Chemical formula

[0045]

Chemical formula

[0046] (In the formula, R 51 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and Y 11 ~Y 66 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom. Y 11 ~Y 66 may all represent hydrogen atoms, or one or more of them may represent fluorine atoms.) Specifically, the following compounds (vi-A) to (vi-G) can be mentioned.

[0047] [Chemical formula]

[0048] (In the formula, R 511 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 7 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms.)

[0049] For the compound represented by the above general formula (vi-0), 20% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less is preferable, 30% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less is more preferable, and 40% by mass or more and 65% by mass or less is even more preferable, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB).

[0050] Also, the total content of the liquid crystalline compounds represented by the above general formula (vi) is preferably 2% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 10% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB).

[0051] Furthermore, the total content of the liquid crystalline compounds represented by the above general formulas (vi-1) to (vi-11) is preferably 2% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 10% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB).

[0052] Moreover, the total content of the liquid crystalline compounds represented by the above general formulas (vi-A) to (vi-G) is preferably 2% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 10% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB).

[0053] In particular, the total content of the liquid crystalline compounds represented by the general formulas (vi-A), (vi-B), (vi-C), and (vi-G) is preferably 2% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and still more preferably 10% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystalline compound (LB).

[0054] 〔Component 1-3〕 Component 1-3 contains one or more compounds represented by the following general formula (I-1). [Chemical formula]

[0055] (In the formula, R 11 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom, -COO-, -OCO-, and one or more methylene groups may be replaced by -CH=CH- or -CH≡CH-, R 12 represents a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a cyano group, a CF3 group, an OCF3 group, an OCHF2 group, an NCS group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom, -COO-, -OCO-, and one or more methylene groups may be replaced by -CH=CH- or -C≡C-, preferably a fluorine atom, a cyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom), Z 11 and Z 12 each independently represent a single bond, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH2-CH2-, -CH=CH-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, or -C≡C-. When a plurality of Z 12 are present, they may be the same or different, A 11 A 12 and A 13Each independently represents a 1,4-phenylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexenyl group, a tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl group, a 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl group, a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a pyridine-2,5-diyl group, a pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group, a pyrazine-2,5-diyl group, a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, or a 2,6-naphthylene group. The 1,4-phenylene group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, and 2,6-naphthylene group may be unsubstituted or may have one or more fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, CF3 groups, OCF3 groups, or CH3 groups as substituents. A 13 When a plurality of A are present, they may be the same or different. n 11 is 0, 1, or 2. And at least one or more methylene groups in R 11 are replaced by -CH=CH- or -C≡C-, or at least one or more methylene groups in R 12 are replaced by -CH=CH- or -C≡C-. It is more preferable to contain one or more compounds represented by the formula (), and even more preferable to contain two or more kinds.

[0056] By containing the compound of the general formula (I-1), the driving voltage can be further reduced and the scattering property can also be further improved. Due to the presence of double bonds or triple bonds in these compounds, it has effects such as affecting the polymerization process of the polymerizable composition during ultraviolet irradiation and reducing the polymerization rate, and it becomes easier to control the network structure of the polymer and the droplet structure of the polymer. On the contrary, it becomes very susceptible to the influence of various conditions in the above-mentioned ultraviolet polymerization process.

[0057] As the compound of the general formula (I-1), R 11 represents an alkenyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and R 12 represents a fluorine atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by oxygen atoms). Z11 and Z 12 each independently represents a single bond, -COO-, -CF2O- (when there are a plurality of Z 12 they may be the same or different), A 11 A 12 and A 13 each independently represents a 1,4-phenylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (the 1,4-phenylene group may be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms or CH3 groups as substituents, and when there are a plurality of A 13 they may be the same or different), n 11 represents 0 or 1, a compound or R 11 and R 12 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms (one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom, and one or more methylene groups may be replaced by -CH=CH-), Z 11 and Z 12 each independently represents a single bond, -COO-, -CF2O-, or -C≡C- (when there are a plurality of Z 12 they may be the same or different, but at least one of Z 11 or Z 12 represents -C≡C-), A 11 A 12 and A 13 each independently represents a 1,4-phenylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (the 1,4-phenylene group may be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms or CH3 groups as substituents, and when there are a plurality of A 13 they may be the same or different), n 11 preferably represents 0 or 1, a compound.

[0058] Specifically, as the compound of the general formula (I-1), the compounds represented by the following formulas (II-1) to (II-11) are preferable.

[0059] [Chemical formula]

[0060] [Components 1 - 4] From the perspective of improving the reliability of the polymer - dispersed liquid crystal composition, Components 1 - 4 include one or more compounds represented by the following general formula (F).

[0061] [Chemical formula]

[0062] (In the formula, R f1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two non - adjacent CH2 groups in the alkyl group may be replaced by an oxygen atom, -COO-, -OCO-, and one or more methylene groups may be replaced by -CH = CH- or -CH≡CH-. Z f1 , and Z f2 each independently represents a single bond, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH2 - CH2-, -CH = CH-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, or -C≡C-. When there are multiple Z f1 s, they may be the same or different. A f1 and A f2 each independently represents a 1,4 - phenylene group, 1,4 - cyclohexylene group, 1,4 - cyclohexenyl group, tetrahydropyran - 2,5 - diyl group, 1,3 - dioxane - 2,5 - diyl group, decahydronaphthalene - 2,6 - diyl group, pyridine - 2,5 - diyl group, pyrimidine - 2,5 - diyl group, pyrazine - 2,5 - diyl group, 1,2,3,4 - tetrahydronaphthalene - 2,6 - diyl group, 2,6 - naphthylene group. The 1,4 - phenylene group, 1,2,3,4 - tetrahydronaphthalene - 2,6 - diyl group, and 2,6 - naphthylene group may be unsubstituted or have one or more fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, CF3 groups, OCF3 groups, or CH3 groups as substituents. When there are multiple A f2 s, they may be the same or different. A f3 is the following (f-a) or (F-b)

Chemical formula

[0063] As the compound of general formula (F), specifically, the compounds represented by the following formulas (F-1) to (F-23) are preferable.

[0064]

Chemical formula

Chemical formula

Chemical formula

[0065] As the first component, it is preferable to use a combination of a compound represented by general formula (iii) and a compound represented by general formula (I-1), or to use a combination of a compound represented by general formula (iii) and a compound represented by general formula (F).

[0066] The refractive index anisotropy (Δn) of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal composition composed of the first component is generally preferably high, and Δn is preferably 0.16 or more, more preferably 0.18 or more, even more preferably 0.20 or more, and most preferably 0.22 or more. The ordinary light refractive index (no) of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal composition having these Δn values is usually about 1.50 to 1.54. When a voltage is applied to the polymer dispersed liquid crystal element to make it in a transparent state, if no of this non-polymerizable liquid crystal composition and the refractive index (np) of the polymer forming the network structure are substantially the same, high transparency can be obtained. However, when monomers and oligomers are polymerized by UV irradiation or the like, they are cured in a form that incorporates some non-polymerizable liquid crystal composition, so the refractive index of the actual polymer becomes higher than that of the pure one. Therefore, the refractive index of the monomers and oligomers is preferably lower than 1.5, more preferably 1.48 or less, and even more preferably 1.47 or less.

[0067] (The second component) "Polymerizable compound (MA) The polymerizable compound (MA) of the second component preferably contains one or more selected from the group consisting of the following second-1 component to second-4 component, and more preferably contains at least one from the group consisting of the second-1 component and the second-2 component, and at least one from the group consisting of the second-3 component and the second-4 component. The polymerizable compound (MA) of the second component contains the second-1 component and / or the second-2 component, and may contain the second-3 component and / or the second-4 component as necessary.

[0068] 〔The second-1 component〕 The second-1 component is a chain-like monofunctional polymerizable compound, and is preferably a chain-like monofunctional polymerizable compound represented by the following general formula (v).

[0069]

Chemical formula

[0070] R v1represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, provided that one or more of the -CH2- groups in the alkyl group may each be independently replaced by -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO- or -P(=O)(-OH)- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent, and one or more hydrogen atoms present in the alkyl group may each be independently replaced by a fluorine atom or -OH.)

[0071] In the compound represented by the general formula (v), P in the formula v1 represents a polymerizable group, and preferably each is independently any of the following formulas (P-1) to (P-21). In the following formulas (P-1) to (P-21), * indicates a bond with a carbon atom or another atom.

[0072] [Chemical formula]

[0073] Among the polymerizable groups represented by the above formulas (P-1) to (P-21), from the viewpoints of enhancing polymerizability and storage stability, formula (P-1), formula (P-2), formula (P-7), formula (P-12), formula (P-13) or formula (P-21) is preferred, formula (P-1), formula (P-2), formula (P-7), formula (P-21) is more preferred, and particularly formula (P-1), formula (P-2), formula (P-21) is preferred.

[0074] In the compound represented by the general formula (v), R in the formula v1 more preferably represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, particularly preferably represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms from the viewpoint of being able to suppress crystallinity, even more preferably represents a branched alkyl group, and even more preferably represents a branched alkyl group having 9 to 24 carbon atoms.

[0075] R v1When it represents a linear alkyl group, examples of the compound represented by the general formula (v) include ethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, pentyl acrylate, hexyl acrylate, heptyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, nonyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, tridecyl acrylate), tetradecyl acrylate, hexadecyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate), ethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, propyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, pentyl methacrylate, hexyl methacrylate, heptyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, nonyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, tridecyl methacrylate, tetradecyl methacrylate, hexadecyl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate (38 °C), etc. Monomers (meth)acrylates having a linear alkyl chain are preferred.

[0076] Further, as the compound represented by the general formula (v), R in the general formula (v) v1 It is preferably a (meth)acrylate having a structure of a linear ether chain. As the (meth)acrylate having the structure of the ether chain, compounds represented by the structures of the following formulas (v-a1) to (v-a3) are preferred.

[0077]

Chemical formula

[0078] Among the above general formula (v), from the viewpoint of maintaining good transparency particularly when no voltage is applied and having a remarkable effect of reducing the driving voltage, it is preferable to use a mono(meth)acrylate having a linear alkyl chain.

[0079] R v1When it represents a branched alkyl group, as the compound represented by the general formula (v), a mono(meth)acrylate having a branched alkyl chain represented by the following structure is preferable. Further, as the compound represented by the general formula (v), isobutyl acrylate, tertiary butyl acrylate, isononyl acrylate, isodecyl acrylate, isomyristyl acrylate, isostearyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, tertiary butyl methacrylate, isononyl methacrylate, isodecyl methacrylate, isomyristyl methacrylate, isostearyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate) are preferable.

[0080] [Chemical formula]

[0081] [Chemical formula]

[0082] Further, as the compound represented by the general formula (v), an acrylate having a linear ether chain structure in the general formula (v) is preferable. As the acrylate having the structure of the ether chain, a compound represented by the following structure is preferable. v1 Among these, from the viewpoint that the transparency when no voltage is applied is maintained well and the driving voltage reduction effect is remarkable, it is preferable to use a mono(meth)acrylate having a branched alkyl chain.

[0083] [Chemical formula] (In the formula, q represents an integer of 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 3.)

[0084] Among these, in particular, from the point that the transparency when no voltage is applied is maintained well and the driving voltage reduction effect is remarkable, it is preferable to use a mono(meth)acrylate having a branched alkyl chain. At least one of the chain-like monofunctional polymerizable compounds is R v1When it is a monoacrylate having a linear alkyl chain, it preferably represents a linear alkyl chain having 3 to 13 carbon atoms, R v1 When it is a monomethacrylate having a linear alkyl chain, it preferably represents a linear alkyl chain having 8 to 13 carbon atoms. When it is a monoacrylate having a branched alkyl chain, it preferably represents a branched alkyl chain having 4 to 22 carbon atoms. When it is a monomethacrylate having a branched alkyl chain, it preferably represents a branched alkyl chain having 9 to 22 carbon atoms.

[0085] From the viewpoint of reducing the driving voltage, the content of the chain-like monofunctional polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (v) is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 30% by mass or more with respect to 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compound (MA) contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment. Further, from the viewpoint of scattering properties, it is preferably 70% by mass or less, more preferably 65% by mass or less, further preferably 60% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 55% by mass or less.

[0086] [Second - 2 Component] The second - 2 component is a cyclic monofunctional polymerizable compound, and it is preferably a cyclic monofunctional polymerizable compound represented by the following general formula (ii).

[0087] [Chemical Formula]

[0088] (In the formula, P ii1 represents a polymerizable group, Z ii1 represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and one or more non - adjacent - CH2 - in the alkylene group may be independently substituted with - O -, - CO -, - COO - or - OCO - so that an oxygen atom is not directly adjacent, and A ii1 represents formulas (ii - 1) to (ii - 20).)

[0089] [Chemical formula]

[0090] (In the formula, one or more -CH2- may each be independently substituted with -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -NH-, -NCH3-, or -CO-. However, when a total of two or more oxygen atoms and / or sulfur atoms are present in general formulas (ii-1) to (ii-20), they do not bond to each other like -O-O-, -O-S-, or -S-S-. Also, one or more -CH2-CH2- may be substituted with a -CH=CH- group. Further, the hydrogen atoms in general formulas (ii-1) to (ii-20) may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- in the alkyl group may each be independently substituted with -O-, -CO-, -COO-, or -OCO- so that an oxygen atom is not directly adjacent. Also, the black dot in the formula represents a bond to Z ii1 to.)) At least one of the cyclic monofunctional polymerizable compounds is preferably selected from any of (ii-1), (ii-9), (ii-10), (ii-11), (ii-14), (ii-15), (ii-17), (ii-18), (ii-19).

[0091] The compound represented by general formula (ii) is a material with excellent flexibility. When this compound is used, it can maintain its turbidity even in a bent state. Also, it can enhance adhesion and improve the compatibility of each component in the polymerizable compound (MA). The compound represented by general formula (ii) is a non-liquid crystalline compound. In the compound represented by general formula (ii), P in the formula ii1 represents a polymerizable group, and preferably, it is the same as the polymerizable group represented by P in general formula (v) v1 is.

[0092] In the compound represented by general formula (ii), Z in the formula ii1represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and one or more -CH2- in the alkylene group may each be independently substituted with -O-, -CO-, -COO- or -OCO- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent, and one or more hydrogen atoms present in the alkylene group may each be independently substituted with a fluorine atom. In the formula, Z ii1 is preferably a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a single bond or a -CH2- group.

[0093] In the compound represented by the general formula (ii), in the formula, A ii1 from the viewpoint of further improving the adhesion, A ii1 preferably has a heterocyclic structure having a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom therein, and more specifically, is preferably any of the following formulas (ii-a1) to (ii-a11).

[0094] [Chemical formula]

[0095] (In the formula, one or more -CH2- may each be independently substituted with -CO-, and the hydrogen atoms in the general formulas (ii-a1) to (ii-a11) may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and one or more non-adjacent -CH2- in the alkyl group may each be independently substituted with -O-, -CO-, -COO- or -OCO- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent. Also, the hydrogen atoms in the general formulas (ii-a1) to (ii-a11) may be substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, the alkyl group may be linear or branched, and one or more non-adjacent -CH2- in the alkyl group may each be independently substituted with -O-, -CO-, -COO- or -OCO- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent. Also, the black dots in the formula represent bonds to Z ii1 .) In particular, when the cyclic structure has a nitrogen atom, the cyclic structure can further improve the adhesion due to the presence of the nitrogen atom. Specifically, the compound represented by the general formula (ii) is preferably a compound of the following (II-34) to (II-51).

[0096]

Chemical formula

[0097]

Chemical formula

[0098] Among the above structural formulas (II-34) to (II-51), (II-34), (II-36), (II-38), (II-39), (II-40), (II-41), (II-43), (II-45) are more preferable.

[0099] In the present invention, when -CH2- such as an alkyl group or an alkylene group can be substituted with various structures, the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group or the like means the number of carbon atoms before substitution. For example, when defined as "an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms", even if the result of substitution with a structure containing 2 carbon atoms results in a total of 9 carbon atoms, such cases are also included. The same applies when -CH2CH2- is substituted with various structures, meaning the number of carbon atoms before substitution.

[0100] 〔Second - 3 Component〕 The second - 3 component is a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate oligomer, and preferably a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate oligomer having a weight - average molecular weight of 2000 or more.

[0101] The polyfunctional (meth)acrylate oligomer is a compound necessary for introducing a crosslinked structure into the polymer network structure and for obtaining good adhesion. Among the polyfunctional (meth)acrylate oligomers, the bifunctional (meth)acrylate oligomer is preferred. Furthermore, in order to emphasize the adhesion to the substrate, it is preferably a urethane-based (meth)acrylate oligomer or a polyester-based (meth)acrylate oligomer, and more preferably a urethane acrylate oligomer. The urethane acrylate oligomer has a polyol backbone structure such as a polyester-based or polyether-based one, and a polyether-based one is preferred. As the molecular weight, the weight average molecular weight is 2000 or more, preferably 2000 to 60000, more preferably 2500 to 40000, even more preferably 2800 to 35000, and even more preferably 3000 to 30000. This is because if the molecular weight is too small, the degree of curing shrinkage increases due to the increase in the (meth)acrylic groups contained in one molecule, resulting in poor adhesion. Conversely, if the molecular weight is too large, the crosslinking distance becomes long, so the gap becomes large and it becomes easy to incorporate liquid crystal, resulting in a decrease in the scattering property as a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal. That is, when left in an environment at high temperature, the polymer absorbs the liquid crystal and the properties change greatly. Also, when the molecular weight is large, the degree of decrease in the transition point Tnm of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal due to the addition of the polymerizable compound becomes small, and in order to make Tnm below room temperature, a material with a low Tni of the liquid crystal composition itself must be used, resulting in a problem that the operating temperature range becomes narrow.

[0102] The polyfunctional urethane-based (meth)acrylate oligomer is obtained by reacting a hydroxyl group-containing acrylate with a polyol and a polyisocyanate. Examples of the polyol include polyether polyol, polyester polyol, polycarbonate polyol, polycaprolactone polyol, polybutadiene polyol, etc. Examples of the polyether polyol include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, etc.

[0103] Examples of the polyisocyanate include 2,4- and 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), orthotoluidine diisocyanate (TODI), naphthylene diisocyanate (NDI), xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), methylene bis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate), hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, transcyclohexane 1,4-diisocyanate, 1,6,11-undecane triisocyanate, 1,8-diisocyanate-4-isocyanatemethyloctane, 1,3,6-hexamethylene triisocyanate, bicycloheptane triisocyanate, trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate, dicyclopentadiene diisocyanate, norbornene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, and carbodiimide-modified MDI, polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanate, and the like.

[0104] Examples of the hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate include 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, polypropylene glycol mono(meth)acrylate, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol monoacrylate, and mono(meth)acrylate modified with ε-caprolactone.

[0105] Specifically, aliphatic urethane (meth)acrylate, aromatic urethane (meth)acrylate, and polyurethane diacrylate oligomer are preferred. As the polyol used, polyether polyol, polyester polyol, and polycaprolactone polyol are preferred, and polyether polyol and polyester polyol are particularly preferred. As the polyisocyanate used, polyisocyanate having a cyclic structure is preferred, and polyisocyanate having an alicyclic structure is particularly preferred. More specifically, orthotoluidine diisocyanate (TODI), methylene bis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate), xylylene diisocyanate, hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate, trans-cyclohexane 1,4-diisocyanate, 1,6,11-undecane triisocyanate, bicycloheptane triisocyanate, dicyclopentadiene diisocyanate, norbornene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, and carbodiimide-modified MDI are preferred, and methylene bis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate), xylylene diisocyanate, hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate, trans-cyclohexane 1,4-diisocyanate, 1,6,11-undecane triisocyanate, bicycloheptane triisocyanate, dicyclopentadiene diisocyanate, norbornene diisocyanate, and isophorone diisocyanate are particularly preferred.

[0106] As the hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate used, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol monoacrylate, and mono(meth)acrylate modified with ε-caprolactone are preferred, and 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, and 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate are particularly preferred. Also, the compound of the following general formula (i-1) is also preferred.

[0107] [Chemical formula]

[0108] (In the formula, X i1 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and B 1 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and one or more -CH2- in the alkyl group may be substituted with an oxygen atom, -CO-, -COO-, or -OCO-. b represents 1 to 20, and B 2 is a group selected from the following (i-2) to (i-6), and is a structure obtained by repeatedly linking a single group selected from these or by combining and linking a plurality of groups,

[0109] [Chemical formula]

[0110] B 3 is a group selected from the following general formula (i-7), (i-8), or (i-9), and is a structure obtained by repeatedly linking a single group selected from these or by combining and linking a plurality of groups.)

[0111] [Chemical formula]

[0112] [Chemical formula] (In the formula, X i2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, X i3 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, Y 5 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, or a divalent aromatic group or a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group, Y 3 and Y 4 each represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, X i1 、X i2 、X i3 、B1 , B 2 , B 3 , Y 3 , Y 4 or Y 5 If there are a plurality of them, they may be the same or different, t, t1 and t2 each independently represent an integer from 0 to 300, and t + t1 + t2 represents an integer from 20 to 300.)

[0113] Here, in the present invention, examples of the divalent aromatic group include 1,4-phenylene group, pyridine-2,5-diyl group, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group, pyrazine-2,5-diyl group, thiophene-2,5-diyl group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, naphthylene-1,4-diyl group, naphthylene-1,5-diyl group, naphthylene-1,6-diyl group, naphthylene-2,6-diyl group, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, benzothiazole group, 1,2,3,4,4a,9,10a-octahydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl group, benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']diselenophene-2,6-diyl group, [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,7-diyl group, [1]benzodiselenopheno[3,2-b]selenophene-2,7-diyl group, or fluorene-2,7-diyl group. These groups may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more L 1 and may be substituted by

[0114] In addition, examples of the divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group include 1,2-cyclopropylene group, 1,3-cyclobutylene group, 2,5-cyclopentylene group, octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-inden-1,5-diyl group, octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-inden-1,6-diyl group, octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-inden-2,5-diyl group, tricyclo[3.3.1.1 3,7-1,3-diyl group, 1,4-cyclohexylene group, 1,4-cyclohexenyl group, tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl group, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl group, tetrahydrothiopyran-2,5-diyl group, 1,4-bicyclo(2,2,2)octylene group, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group are mentioned as preferred examples. These groups may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more L 1 and may be substituted by. Furthermore, aliphatic urethane acrylate and polyurethane diacrylate oligomer are particularly preferred.

[0115] The content of the polymerizable compound selected from polyfunctional (meth)acrylate oligomers having a weight average molecular weight of 2000 or more is preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, still more preferably 20% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 25% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of enhancing adhesion, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compounds (MA) contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment. Also, from the viewpoint of reducing the driving voltage, it is preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 60% by mass or less, still more preferably 50% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 40% by mass or less.

[0116] [Component 2-4] The second to fourth components are compounds selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional polymerizable oligomers and polyfunctional polymerizable monomers that do not belong to the above second to third components. The second to fourth components are preferably compounds selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional polymerizable oligomers and polyfunctional polymerizable monomers having a weight average molecular weight of less than 2000, and more preferably compounds selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional polymerizable oligomers and polyfunctional polymerizable monomers having a weight average molecular weight of less than 2000 and represented by the following general formula (iv). Also, the molecular weight of the polyfunctional polymerizable oligomer and / or polyfunctional polymerizable monomer is preferably 2000 or less, and more preferably 1000 or less.

[0117] [Chemical formula] (In the formula, Y iv1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,

[0118] X iv1 represents a linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group with 130 or less carbon atoms and n iv1 valence. One or more -CH2- groups in the linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group may each be independently substituted with -O-, -NH-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH=CH-, or -C≡C- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to each other. One or two or more hydrogen atoms present in the linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon group may each be independently substituted with a fluorine atom or -OH. n iv1 represents an integer from 2 to 6.)

[0119] For the polyfunctional polymerizable oligomer or polyfunctional polymerizable monomer represented by the general formula (iv) with a weight molecular weight of less than 2000, a polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (iv-1) is preferably used.

[0120] [Chemical formula] (In the formula, Y iv2 and Y iv3 represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group,

[0121] X iv2 represents a linear or branched alkylene with 2 to 80 carbon atoms, and any carbon atom of the alkylene may be substituted with -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH=CH-, -C≡C- or OH so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent.)

[0122] Here, in the general formula (iv-1), the linear or branched alkylene of X iv2 preferably has a carbon atom number in the range of 2 to 70, more preferably in the range of 4 to 70, particularly preferably in the range of 5 to 60, and most preferably in the range of 5 to 50 from the viewpoint of driving voltage reduction. The polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (iv-1) described above includes, for example, those having the following structures (iv-1-1) to (iv-1-10).

[0123] [Chemical formula]

[0124] [Chemical formula]

[0125] (In the formula, n and m are such that n + m is 1 to 10, n 2 is 1 to 18, n 3 and m 2 are values such that n 3 + m 2 is 1 to 18, n 4 is 1 to 23, n 5 is 1 to 23, n 6 is 4 to 30, n 7 is 2 to 10, n 8 and n 9 each represent 2 to 10.)

[0126] Among these, those represented by (iv-1-1), those represented by (iv-1-2), those represented by (iv-1-3) and n 2 is 1 to 5, those represented by (iv-1-7) and n 6 is 4 to 15 are particularly preferable from the viewpoint of ensuring a wide operating temperature range on the high-temperature side.

[0127] From the viewpoint of improving the scattering property, the content of the polymerizable compound represented by the general formula (iv) is preferably 20% by mass or more, more preferably 30% by mass or more, still more preferably 40% by mass or more, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compound (MA) contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment. From the viewpoint of reducing the voltage, it is particularly preferable that it is 90% by mass or less, 80% by mass or less, 70% by mass or less, or 60% by mass or less.

[0128] [Other polymerizable compounds] The polymerizable compound (MA) of the second component may contain other polymerizable compounds that do not belong to the above second-component 1 to second-component 4. As the other polymerizable compounds, polymerizable compounds having a mesogenic skeleton may or may not be included. Examples of such polymerizable compounds include compounds represented by the following general formulas (2) to (8).

[0129]

Chemical formula

[0130] In the above general formulas (2) to (8), P 11 ~P 74 represents a polymerizable group, and preferably each is independently any of the following formulas (P-1) to (P-20). In the following formulas (P-1) to (P-20), * indicates a bond with a carbon atom or another atom.

[0131]

Chemical formula

[0132] X 11 ~X 72 each independently represents -O-, -S-, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -SCH2-, -CH2S-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2S-, -SCF2-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -COO-CH2CH2-, -OCO-CH2CH2-, -CH2CH2-COO-, -CH2CH2-OCO-, -COO-CH2-, -OCO-CH2-, -CH2-COO-, -CH2-OCO-, -CH=CH-, -N=N-, -CH=N-N=CH-, -CF=CF-, -C≡C- or a single bond, and X 11 ~X 72When there are a plurality of them, they may be the same or different from each other (however, each P-(S-X)-bond does not contain -O-O-), and a group selected particularly from a single bond, -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO- is preferable. M 11 , M 21 , M 31 , M 51 , M 71 each independently represents a mesogenic group represented by the following general formula (9-a).

[0133]

Chemical formula

[0134] (In general formula (9-a), A 91 , A 92 , A 93 each independently is a divalent group having at least one ring structure, and the divalent group is a 1,2-cyclopropylene group, 1,3-cyclobutylene group, 2,5-cyclopentylene group, octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-inden-1,5-diyl group, octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-inden-1,6-diyl group, octahydro-4,7-methano-1H-inden-2,5-diyl group, tricyclo[3.3.1.1 3,7-1,3-diyl group, 1,4-phenylene group, 1,4-cyclohexylene group, 1,4-cyclohexenyl group, tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl group, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl group, tetrahydrothiopyran-2,5-diyl group, 1,4-bicyclo(2,2,2)octylene group, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, pyridine-2,5-diyl group, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group, pyrazine-2,5-diyl group, thiophene-2,5-diyl group-, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, naphthylene-1,4-diyl group, naphthylene-1,5-diyl group, naphthylene-1,6-diyl group, naphthylene-2,6-diyl group, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, benzothiazole group, 1,2,3,4,4a,9,10a-octahydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl group, benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']diselenophene-2,6-diyl group, [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,7-diyl group, [1]benzodiselenophene[3,2-b]selenophene-2,7-diyl group, or fluorene-2,7-diyl group, provided that these groups are unsubstituted or substituted by one or more L 1 may be substituted by, but A 91 and / or A 92 when appearing in plurality may be the same or different from each other,

[0135] Z 91 and Z 92each independently represents -O-, -S-, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -CH2CH2-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -SCH2-, -CH2S-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2S-, -SCF2-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -COO-CH2CH2-, -OCO-CH2CH2-, -CH2CH2-COO-, -CH2CH2-OCO-, -COO-CH2-, -OCO-CH2-, -CH2-COO-, -CH2-OCO-, -CH=CH-, -N=N-, -CH=N-, -N=CH-, -CH=N-N=CH-, -CF=CF-, -C≡C- or a single bond, provided that Z 91 and / or Z 92 when a plurality of them appear, they may be the same or different from each other,

[0136] j 91 and j 92 each independently represents 0 to 4, provided that j 91 +j 92 represents an integer of 1 to 4, and L 1 represents a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a pentafluorosulfanyl group, a nitro group, an isocyano group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a diethylamino group, a diisopropylamino group, a trimethylsilyl group, a dimethylsilyl group, a thioisocyano group, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may be substituted by one -CH2- or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- each independently by -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -N=N-, -CR 1 =N-N=CR 1 -, or -C≡C-, and any hydrogen atom in the alkyl group may be substituted by a fluorine atom (where R 1represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and the alkyl group may be linear or branched. Any hydrogen atom in the alkyl group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, and one -CH2- or two or more non - adjacent -CH2- groups in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO - S-, -S - CO-, -O - CO - O-, -CO - NH-, -NH - CO- or -C≡C-.

[0137] Also, M 41 is a trivalent organic group having the ring structure exemplified as the above A 91 , A 92 , A 93 and is a tetravalent organic group having the ring structure exemplified as the above A 61 is the above A 91 , A 92 , A 93 and has the ring structure exemplified as the above A.

[0138] In the general formulas (2) to (8), R 11 , R 31 each represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a cyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The alkyl group may be linear or branched. Any hydrogen atom in the alkyl group may be substituted with a fluorine atom, and one -CH2- or two or more non - adjacent -CH2- groups in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO - S-, -S - CO-, -O - CO - O-, -CO - NH-, -NH - CO- or -C≡C-.

[0139] m1 to m7, n2 to n7, l4 to l6, k6 each independently represent an integer from 0 to 5. In the general formulas (2) to (8), S 11 to S 72 each independently represent a spacer group or a single bond, and the S 11 to S 72The spacer group represented by represents an alkylene group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (the alkylene group may be substituted by one or more halogen atoms, a CN group, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms having a polymerizable group. One CH2 group present in this group or two or more non-adjacent CH2 groups may each be independently replaced by -O-, -S-, -NH-, -N(CH3)-, -CO-, -CH(OH)-, CH(COOH), -COO-, -OCO-, -OCOO-, -SCO-, -COS- or -C≡C- in such a way that oxygen atoms are not directly bonded to each other.). Among these spacer groups, from the viewpoint of orientation, a linear alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with a fluorine atom, and an alkylene group having 5 to 14 carbon atoms in which a part of the alkylene group is replaced by -O- are preferred. Also, S 11 ~S 72 When a plurality of exist, they may be the same or different from each other.

[0140] In the general formulas (2) to (8), m1 to m7, n2 to n7, l4 to l6, and k6 each independently represent an integer from 0 to 5, and m1 to m7, n2 to n7, l4 to l6, and k6 are each preferably independently 0 or 1.

[0141] In the polymerizable compound (MA) of the second component, the total content of other polymerizable compounds other than the above second - 1 component, second - 2 component, second - 3 component, and second - 4 component is preferably 2% by mass or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more, and particularly preferably 10% by mass or more with respect to the total amount of 100% by mass of the second - 1 component to the second - 4 component, from the viewpoints of orientation and transparency. Also, from the viewpoints of scattering property and low - voltage drivability, it is preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 60% by mass or less.

[0142] 〔Additive〕 In the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment, the polymerizable compound (MA) of the second component may further contain an additive represented by the following general formula (X) in addition to the aforementioned second-1 component, second-2 component, second-3 component, second-4 component, and the aforementioned other polymerizable compounds.

[0143]

Chemical formula

[0144] X X1 represents a linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group with 130 or fewer carbon atoms and valence n X1 ; one or more -CH2- groups in the linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group may each be independently substituted with -O-, -NH-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CH=CH-, or -C≡C- so that oxygen atoms are not directly adjacent to each other; one or more hydrogen atoms present in the linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon group may each be independently substituted with a fluorine atom or -OH, n X1 represents an integer from 1 to 6, and here, at least one -CH2- group in X X1 is substituted with the following formula (X-1).)

[0145]

Chemical formula

[0146]

Chemical formula

[0147] The addition amount of the compound having the group represented by the general formula (X-1) is preferably 0.005% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, and still more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 0.2% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition.

[0148] (Third component) "Polymerization initiator" The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment can contain a polymerization initiator. The polymerization initiator used in the present embodiment is used to polymerize the polymerizable compound (MA) of the present embodiment. When the polymerization is carried out by light irradiation, the photoinitiator used is not particularly limited, and known and commonly used ones can be used as long as they do not inhibit the alignment state of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB).

[0149] For example, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone "Omnirad 184", 1-(4-isopropylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one "Omnirad 1173", 2-methyl-1-[(methylthio)phenyl]-2-morpholinopropan-1-one "Omnirad 907", 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one "Omnirad BDK", 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)-butanone "Omnirad 369", 2-dimethylamino-2-(4-methylbenzyl)-1-(4-morpholino-phenyl)butan-1-one "Omnirad 379", 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone "Omnirad 651", 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one, bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-diphenylphosphine oxide "Omnirad TPO", 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-phenyl-phosphine oxide "Omnirad 819" (manufactured by IGM Resins Co., Ltd.), 1,2-octanedione, 1-[4-(phenylthio)-, 2-(O-benzoyloxime)], ethanone "Irgacure OXE01", 1-[9-ethyl-6-(2-methylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazole-3-yl]-, 1-(O-acetoxyoxime) "Irgacure OXE02", "Irgacure OXE04" (manufactured by BASF Co., Ltd.), "Adeka Arcles NCI-831", "Adeka Arcles NCI-930", "Adeka Arcles N-1919" (manufactured by ADEKA), a mixture of 2,4-diethylthioxanthone (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. "Kayacure DETX") and ethyl p-dimethylaminobenzoate (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. "Kayacure EPA"), a mixture of isopropylthioxanthone (manufactured by Ward Plexingsop Co., Ltd. "Cantacure-ITX") and ethyl p-dimethylaminobenzoate, "Esacure ONE", "Esacure KIP150", "Esacure KIP160", "Esacure 1001M", "Esacure A198", "Esacure KIP IT", "Esacure KTO46", "Esacure TZT" (manufactured by lamberti Co., Ltd.), "Speedcure BMS", "Speedcure PBZ", "Benzophenone" (manufactured by LAMBSON), etc.Furthermore, as the photo cationic initiator, a photoacid generator can be used. Examples of the photoacid generator include diazodisulfone compounds, triphenylsulfonium compounds, phenylsulfone compounds, sulfonylpyridine compounds, triazine compounds, and diphenyliodonium compounds.

[0150] The content of the photopolymerization initiator is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 6% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compound (MA) used in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0151] In addition, as the thermal polymerization initiator used in thermal polymerization, known and commonly used ones can be used. For example, methyl acetoacetate peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, benzoyl peroxide, bis(4-t-butylcyclohexyl) peroxydicarbonate, t-butyl peroxybenzoate, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, 1,1-bis(t-hexylperoxy) 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, p-menthane hydroperoxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, isobutyl peroxide, di(3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl) peroxydicarbonate, 1,1-bis(t-butylperoxy) cyclohexane and other organic peroxides, 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile, 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) and other azonitrile compounds, 2,2'-azobis(2-methyl-N-phenylpropion-amidine) dihydrochloride and other azoamidine compounds, 2,2'-azobis{2-methyl-N-[1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]propionamide} and other azoamide compounds, 2,2'-azobis(2,4,4-trimethylpentane) and other alkyl azo compounds can be used. The content of the thermal polymerization initiator is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 1% by mass or more and 6% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compound (MA) used in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0152] (Fourth component) "Polymerization inhibitor" The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment contains, as the fourth component, one or more compounds having a polymerization inhibitory effect or a radical scavenging effect and not requiring oxygen for the manifestation of the effect.

[0153] It is preferable that the fourth component is a compound selected from the group consisting of general formula (I-a), general formula (I-b), general formula (I-c) and general formula (I-d).

[0154] [Chemical formula]

[0155] (In the formula, U represents an n-valent organic group, R 2 ~R 5 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Z 1 represents -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -NH-, -NHCO-, -CONH- or a single bond, Sp 1 represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, n represents an integer from 1 to 4, G 1 ~G 8 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a hydroxyl group.)

[0156] It is preferable that U in the general formula (I-a) is represented by the general formula (U-1).

[0157] [Chemical formula]

[0158] (In the formula, Z u1 and Z u2Each independently represents -O-, -S-, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -CH2CH2-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -SCH2-, -CH2S-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CF2S-, -SCF2-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -COO-CH2CH2-, -OCO-CH2CH2-, -CH2CH2-COO-, -CH2CH2-OCO-, -COO-CH2-, -OCO-CH2-, -CH2-COO-, -CH2-OCO-, -CH=CH-, -N=N-, -CH=N-, -N=CH-, -CH=N-N=CH-, -CF=CF-, -C≡C- or a single bond,

[0159] A u1 is (a) 1,4 - cyclohexylene group (one -CH2- present in this group or two or more non - adjacent -CH2- may be replaced by -O-.) (b) 1,4 - phenylene group (one -CH= present in this group or two or more non - adjacent -CH= may be replaced by -N=.) and (c) naphthalene - 2,6 - diyl group, 1,2,3,4 - tetrahydronaphthalene - 2,6 - diyl group or decahydronaphthalene - 2,6 - diyl group (one -CH= present in the naphthalene - 2,6 - diyl group or 1,2,3,4 - tetrahydronaphthalene - 2,6 - diyl group or two or more non - adjacent -CH= may be replaced by -N=.) represents a group selected from the group consisting of, and the above groups (a), (b), and (c) are each independently a fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom, iodine atom, pentafluorosulfuranyl group, nitro group, cyano group, isocyano group, amino group, hydroxyl group, mercapto group, methylamino group, dimethylamino group, diethylamino group, diisopropylamino group, trimethylsilyl group, dimethylsilyl group, thioisocyano group, or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, which may be substituted. One or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups present in the alkyl group may each independently be substituted with -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -OCF2-, -CF2O-, or -C≡C-.

[0160] Sp u1 represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. One or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups present in the alkylene group, where Sp u1 is adjacent to Z u1 and the -CH2- groups that are not directly bonded to Z may each independently be substituted with -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -OCF2-, -CF2O-, or -C≡C-.

[0161] W represents a hydrogen atom, fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom, iodine atom, pentafluorosulfuranyl group, nitro group, amino group, hydroxyl group, mercapto group, or a monovalent to tetravalent organic group, and the valence of W is the same as the number represented by n in the general formula (I-a). pu1 represents an integer from 0 to 8. nu1 represents an integer from 1 to 4, and nu1 and n in the general formula (I-a) are the same number. Z u1 Zu2 and Sp u1 and A u1 When there are a plurality of them, they may be the same or different.)

[0162] Z in the general formula (U-1) u1 and Z u2 each independently preferably represents -O-, -OCH2-, -CH2O-, -CH2CH2-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CF2O-, -OCF2-, -CH=CH- or -C≡C-, and more preferably represents a single bond, -O-, -COO- or -OCO-.

[0163] A in the general formula (U-1) u1 preferably represents a 1,4-cyclohexylene group (one -CH2- or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups present in this group may be replaced by -O-), or a 1,4-phenylene group (one -CH= or two or more non-adjacent -CH= groups present in this group may be replaced by -N=), and more preferably represents a 1,4-cyclohexylene group or a 1,4-phenylene group.

[0164] Sp in the general formula (U-1) u1 represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (one or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups present in the alkylene group, and the -CH2- that is not directly bonded to Z u1 adjacent to Sp u1 may each independently be replaced by -O-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -O-CO-O-, -CH=CH-, -OCF2-, -CF2O-, or -C≡C-), and preferably represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (one or two or more non-adjacent -CH2- groups present in the alkylene group, and the -CH2- that is not directly bonded to Z u1 adjacent to Sp u1 may each independently be replaced by -O-, -COO-, -OCO-).

[0165] In the general formula (U-1), W preferably represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a monovalent to tetravalent organic group, more preferably a hydrogen atom, -CH2-,

Chemical formula

Chemical formula

Chemical formula

[0166] In the general formula (U-1), pu1 preferably represents an integer from 0 to 4, more preferably 0 or 1.

[0167] In the general formula (U-1), nu1 preferably represents 1, 2, or 4, more preferably 1 or 2, and even more preferably 1.

[0168] In the general formula (U-1), Z u1 and Z u2 each independently represent a single bond, A u1 represents a 1,4-cyclohexylene group or a 1,4-phenylene group, Sp u1 represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, W represents a hydrogen atom or -CH2-, pu1 represents 0 or 1, and nu1 represents 1 or 2, which is preferable.

[0169] In the general formula (I-a), n is preferably 1 or 2.

[0170] In the general formula (I-a), Z 1 preferably represents a single bond, -O-, -CO-, -CO-O-, or -O-CO-, more preferably a single bond, -O-, -COO-, or -OCO-.

[0171] In the general formula (I-a), Sp 1It preferably represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

[0172] Specific examples of the general formula (I-a) include, for example, the following compounds.

Chemical formula

[0173] In the general formula (I-b), (I-c) or (I-d), G 1 ~G 8 preferably represents a hydroxyl group from the viewpoint of exerting a polymerization inhibition effect, and particularly preferably has one or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule. Further, from the viewpoint of maintaining a high VHR of the composition, G 1 ~G 8 preferably represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

[0174] Specific examples of the general formula (I-b), general formula (I-c), general formula (I-d) include, for example, the following compounds.

[0175]

Chemical formula

[0176] As the polymerization inhibitor contained as the fourth component, a compound represented by the general formula (I-a), general formula (I-b), general formula (I-c) or general formula (I-d) is preferred, and among them, a compound represented by the general formula (I-a) is preferred.

[0177] It is preferable that the molecular weight of the compound contained as the fourth component is 200 or more. This is because when manufacturing a liquid crystal element by various methods such as vacuum injection, ODF, and IJ, the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition is exposed to a vacuum condition in order to remove the dissolved gas. At this time, if the molecular weight of the compound contained as the fourth component is less than 200, it will volatilize and the content will decrease, and it is considered that a sufficient effect cannot be exhibited. More preferably, it is 220 or more, still more preferably, it is 240 or more, and even more preferably, it is 270 or more. It may be 1000 or less, may be 800 or less, or may be 600 or less. The content of the compound contained as the fourth component in the total amount of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less, still more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 1% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less. With respect to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the compound contained as the second component, the content of the compound contained as the fourth component is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 3% by mass or less, and still more preferably 0.5% by mass or more and 2% by mass or less.

[0178] (Other polymerization inhibitors) The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment may contain other polymerization inhibitors that do not belong to the polymerization inhibitor as the fourth component of the present embodiment, as long as the effects of the present embodiment are not impaired. The above-mentioned other polymerization inhibitors can be used to adjust the electro-optical properties by controlling the polymerization reaction of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment. As such compounds, known and commonly used ones can be used.

[0179] For example, phenolic compounds such as p-methoxyphenol, cresol, t-butylcatechol, 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene, 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4'-dialkoxy-2,2'-bi-1-naphthol, etc., hydroquinone, methylhydroquinone, tert-butylhydroquinone, p-benzoquinone, methyl-p-benzoquinone, tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone, 2,5-diphenylbenzoquinone, anthraquinone, diphenoquinone, etc. quinone compounds are preferred, and p-methoxyphenol and tert-butylhydroquinone are particularly preferred.

[0180] When adding the other polymerization inhibitors, the content is preferably 0.001% or more and 2.0% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% or more and 0.5% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compounds (MA) used in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of this embodiment.

[0181] (Other additives) The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of this embodiment can be added with an antioxidant, a light stabilizer, a chain transfer agent, a dye, a pigment, particles with a particle size of less than 1 μm, a chiral compound, or an alignment material, as long as the effects of this embodiment are not impaired. Among these, the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition preferably contains one or more selected from the group consisting of an antioxidant, a light stabilizer, particles with a particle size of less than 1 μm, a dye, and a pigment.

[0182] 〔Antioxidant〕 The antioxidant used in this embodiment can be used to impart practical durability to the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of this embodiment. As such compounds, hydroquinone derivatives, nitrosoamine-based polymerization inhibitors, hindered phenol-based antioxidants, etc. can be used.

[0183] Specifically, tert-butylhydroquinone, "Q-1300" and "Q-1301" of Fuji Film Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, pentaerythritol tetrakis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] "IRGANOX1010", thiodiethylene bis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] "IRGANOX1035", octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate "IRGANOX1076", "IRGANOX1135", "IRGANOX1330", 4,6-bis(octylthiomethyl)-o-cresol "IRGANOX1520L", "IRGANOX1726", "IRGANOX245", "IRGANOX259", "IRGANOX3114", "IRGANOX3790", "IRGANOX5057", "IRGANOX565" (manufactured by BASF Corporation), Adeka Stab AO-20, AO-30, AO-40, AO-50, AO-60, AO-80 manufactured by Adeka Corporation, Sumilizer BHT, Sumilizer BBM-S, and Sumilizer GA-80 manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., and compounds having structures represented by the following general formulas (H-1) to (H-4), etc. are preferable.

[0184]

Chemical formula

[0185] In general formulas (H-1) to (H-3), R H1represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or an alkenyloxy group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms. One -CH2- or two or more non - adjacent -CH2- groups present in the group may each be independently replaced by -O- or -S-. Further, one or more hydrogen atoms present in the group may each be independently replaced by a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom. More specifically, it is preferably an alkyl group having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, or an alkenyloxy group having 2 to 7 carbon atoms, and more preferably an alkyl group having 3 to 7 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 2 to 7 carbon atoms. Also, in the general formula (H - 4), Sp H1 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. One -CH2- or two or more non - adjacent -CH2- groups present in the group may each be independently replaced by -O- or -S-. Further, one or more hydrogen atoms present in the group may each be independently replaced by a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom.

[0186] Among them, pentaerythritol tetrakis[3-(3,5 - di - tert - butyl - 4 - hydroxyphenyl)propionate, octadecyl 3-(3,5 - di - tert - butyl - 4 - hydroxyphenyl)propionate, and the compounds represented by the general formulas (H - 2) to (H - 3) are particularly preferred.

[0187] When adding an antioxidant, the content is preferably 0.001% by mass or more and 2.0% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compound (MA) used in the polymer - dispersed liquid - crystal composition of the present embodiment.

[0188] [Light stabilizer] The light stabilizer used in this embodiment can be used to impart practical durability to the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of this embodiment. Examples of such compounds include "TINUVIN 111FDL", "TINUVIN 123", "TINUVIN 144", "TINUVIN 152", "TINUVIN 292", "TINUVIN 622", "TINUVIN 770", "TINUVIN 765", "TINUVIN 780", "TINUVIN 905", "TINUVIN 5100", "TINUVIN 5050", "TINUVIN 5060", "TINUVIN 5151", "CHIMASSORB 119FL", "CHIMASSORB 944FL", "CHIMASSORB 944LD" (all of the above are manufactured by BASF Corporation), "ADEKA STAB LA-52", "ADEKA STAB LA-57", "ADEKA STAB LA-62", "ADEKA STAB LA-67", "ADEKA STAB LA-63P", "ADEKA STAB LA-68LD", "ADEKA STAB LA-77", "ADEKA STAB LA-82", "ADEKA STAB LA-87" (all of the above are manufactured by ADEKA Corporation), etc.

[0189] When the light stabilizer is contained, the addition amount is preferably 0.001% or more and 2.0% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.01% or more and 1.0% by mass or less, based on the total amount of the polymerizable compound (MA) used in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of this embodiment.

[0190] [Chain transfer agent] The chain transfer agent used in this embodiment can be used to further improve the adhesion between the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition and the substrate. Examples of the chain transfer agent include mercaptan compounds such as octyl mercaptan, n-butyl mercaptan, n-pentyl mercaptan, n-hexadecyl mercaptan, n-tetradecyl mercaptan, n-dodecyl mercaptan, t-tetradecyl mercaptan, t-dodecyl mercaptan, etc., hexanedithiol, decanedithiol, 1,4-butanediol bisthiopropionate, 1,4-butanediol bisthioglycolate, ethylene glycol bisthioglycolate, ethylene glycol bisthiopropionate, trimethylolpropane tristhioglycolate, trimethylolpropane tristhiopropionate, trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptobutyrate), pentaerythritol tetrakisthioglycolate, pentaerythritol tetrakisthiopropionate, tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate trimercaptopropionate, 1,4-dimethylmercaptobenzene, 2,4,6-trimercapto-s-triazine, 2-(N,N-dibutylamino)-4,6-dimercapto-s-triazine and other thiol compounds, pentaphenylethane, α-methylstyrene dimer, acrolein, allyl alcohol, terpinolene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene, dipentene, etc. Specifically, compounds represented by the following general formulas (9-1) to (9-8), α-methylstyrene dimer, and α-terpinene are preferred.

[0191] [Chemical formula]

[0192] In the formula, R 95 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and the alkyl group may be linear or branched. One or more methylene groups in the alkyl group may be substituted with an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, -CO-, -OCO-, -COO-, or -CH=CH- as long as the oxygen atom and the sulfur atom do not directly bond to each other. R 96represents an alkylene group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, and one or more methylene groups in the alkylene group may be substituted with an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, -CO-, -OCO-, -COO-, or -CH=CH- as long as the oxygen atom and the sulfur atom are not directly bonded to each other.

[0193] When a chain transfer agent is contained, the content is preferably 0.001% or more and 10% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% or more and 5.0% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compounds (MA) in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment.

[0194] 〔Dye〕 The dye used in the present embodiment can be used to impart color to or control the color of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of the present embodiment. Such dyes are not particularly limited, and known and commonly used dyes that are soluble in liquid crystals or dispersed in the polymer network can be used. Examples of the dye include dichroic dyes, fluorescent dyes, etc. Examples of such dyes include polyazo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, quinacridone dyes, dioxazine dyes, quinophthalone dyes, cyanine dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, perylene dyes, perinone dyes, squarylium dyes, etc. From the viewpoint of addition, the dye is preferably a dye having liquid crystallinity. For example, polyazo dyes shown in JP-A-51-2885, JP-A-61-21163, JP-A-62-555, JP-A-63-301850, JP-A-7-48520, JP-A-7-179858, JP-A-10-279945, JP-A-11-172252, JP-A-2000-239664, JP-A-2012-82400, etc., anthraquinone dyes shown in JP-A-59-20355, JP-A-59-172549, JP-A-61-148291, JP-A-1-161086, JP-A-8-67822, etc., quinophthalone dyes shown in JP-A-59-51947, JP-A-61-148292, etc., and dioxazine dyes shown in JP-A-2000-44825, JP-A-2001-49135, etc.

[0195] When a pigment is contained, the content is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 8% by mass or less, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB) used in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment.

[0196] 〔Pigment〕 The pigment used in the present embodiment can be used to impart color or control color to the polymerizable liquid crystal element of the present embodiment. Such pigments are not particularly limited, and known and commonly used pigments can be used within the range of being dispersed in a liquid crystal or a network polymer. Examples of such pigments include azo pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments, quinacridone pigments, dioxazine pigments, perylene pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, carbon black pigments, etc. From the viewpoint of effectively imparting colorability, the pigment is preferably a pigment having good dispersibility in the network polymer.

[0197] When a pigment is contained, the content is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 8% by mass or less, more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB) used in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment.

[0198] 〔Particles with a particle diameter of less than 1 μm〕 The particles with a particle size of less than 1 μm used in this embodiment can be used to impart various functions to the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of this embodiment. Such particles are not particularly limited, but can be used as long as they do not impair the electro-optical properties and adhesion of the liquid crystal element. Such particles include inorganic fillers such as alumina, titanium white, titanium black, aluminum hydroxide, talc, clay, mica, barium titanate, zinc oxide, and glass fiber, metal powders such as silver powder and copper powder, and heat conductive fillers such as aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, gallium nitride, silicon carbide, magnesia (magnesium oxide), silica, crystalline silica (silicon oxide), fused silica (silicon oxide), graphite, and carbon fibers including carbon nanofibers. Examples also include silver nanoparticles, QD phosphor particles, perovskite phosphor particles, etc.

[0199] Preferably, the particles are those with good dispersibility in the network polymer. When the particles are contained, the content is preferably 0.001% or more and 5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.01% or more and 3% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB) used in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of this embodiment.

[0200] 〔Chiral Compound〕 The chiral compound used in this embodiment can be used to impart various functions to the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of this embodiment. Such chiral compounds are not particularly limited, as long as they do not impair the electro-optical properties and adhesion of the liquid crystal element. Specifically, for example, cholesteryl pelargonate, cholesteryl stearate having a cholesteryl group as a chiral group, "CB-15", "C-15" manufactured by BDH having a 2-methylbutyl group as a chiral group, "S-1082" manufactured by Merck, "CM-19", "CM-20", "CM" manufactured by Chisso, "S-811" manufactured by Merck having a 1-methylheptyl group as a chiral group, "CM-21", "CM-22" manufactured by Chisso, "LC756" of BASF having an isosorbide skeleton as a chiral group, and polymerizable chiral compounds shown in JP-T-2009-515818, JP-A-2010-90108, JP-A-2013-87109, etc. can be mentioned.

[0201] When containing a chiral compound, depending on the use of the polymer of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of this embodiment, it is preferable to add an amount such that the value (d / P) obtained by dividing the thickness (d) of the resulting polymer by the helical pitch (P) in the polymer is in the range of 0.1 to 100, and more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 20.

[0202] The chiral compound preferably has the lowest possible content as long as a desired helical pitch can be obtained to bring out the characteristics of the liquid crystal composition. When containing a chiral compound, the content is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 8% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB) used in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of this embodiment.

[0203] 〔Alignment material〕 The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment can contain an alignment material for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal element. As the alignment material used in the present embodiment, known and commonly used materials within the range of being dissolved in the liquid crystal composition are used. Examples of such alignment materials include polymerizable compounds having a polar group at one end of the mesogen skeleton and a long-chain alkyl group at the other end, polymerizable liquid crystal compounds having a polar group at the lateral position of the mesogen skeleton, polymerizable compounds having a plurality of mesogen skeletons and having a polar group in the side chain of the long-chain alkyl group that binds one mesogen skeleton to another mesogen skeleton, and the like.

[0204] <Liquid crystal element> The liquid crystal element using the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment includes at least a layer in which a liquid crystal and a network polymer are phase-separated (phase-separated liquid crystal layer), electrodes, and a substrate. Alternatively, it includes a phase-separated liquid crystal layer, an alignment film layer, electrodes, and a substrate that supports the electrodes.

[0205] The phase-separated liquid crystal phase can be obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable compound (MA) contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition to form a polymer network derived from each polymerizable component contained in the polymerizable compound (MA).

[0206] For example, when no voltage is applied, the liquid crystal element of the present embodiment can be in a light-scattering state due to the network structure formed by the polymer and the liquid crystal molecules present in the voids thereof. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules can be vertically aligned with respect to the substrate to be in a transparent state. Thus, since the liquid crystal element of the present embodiment can change the light transmission state depending on the presence or absence of voltage application, it can be used as a liquid crystal dimming element incorporated into a device that requires a dimming function or a liquid crystal display element used in a video display.

[0207] The liquid crystal element of this embodiment may be configured so that the alignment of liquid crystal molecules can be controlled by applying a voltage, but it is preferably configured as a vertical electric field type liquid crystal element. A vertical electric field type liquid crystal element is a liquid crystal element in which electrodes are arranged so that an electric field is generated perpendicular to the alignment film. In a vertical electric field type liquid crystal element, usually, electrodes are provided on both of two transparent substrates sandwiching a phase-separated liquid crystal layer.

[0208] The vertical electric field type liquid crystal element according to this embodiment includes a first substrate and a second substrate each having a transparent electrode (layer) made of a transparent conductive material, and a phase-separated liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The phase-separated liquid crystal layer is composed of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material composed of liquid crystal molecules and a polymer component contained in the liquid crystal composition.

[0209] In addition, if necessary, an ultraviolet shielding film, an infrared shielding film, a gas barrier film for shielding oxygen and water vapor, a coloring film for imparting design properties by color or pattern, a hard coat layer for preventing damage, a refractive index adjustment layer formed for the purpose of preventing a decrease in visible light transmittance caused by the refractive index difference between the transparent electrode layer and the flexible substrate, an undercoat layer for ensuring the adhesion between the transparent electrode layer and the flexible substrate, an adhesive film or an adhesive for fixing the flexible dimming element to another transparent support structure, a film having the above-described functions, and an adhesive film or an adhesive for laminating these films together may be configured together. Further, an easy adhesion treatment layer may be formed on the outermost surface of the transparent conductive layer on the side in contact with the dimming layer.

[0210] 〔Substrate〕 The substrate used in the liquid crystal element of this embodiment is a substrate commonly used for liquid crystal display elements, organic light-emitting display elements, other display elements, optical components, dimming elements, colorants, markings, printed matter, and optical films, and is a material having heat resistance that can withstand heating in the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal element and the temperature range in which it is used, or having practical transparency in applications that emphasize transparency, and there is no particular limitation.

[0211] Examples of such substrates include glass substrates, metal substrates, ceramic substrates, and organic materials such as plastic substrates and paper. In particular, when the substrate is an organic material, examples include cellulose derivatives, polyolefins, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacrylates, polyarylates, polyethersulfones, polyimides, polyphenylene sulfides, polyphenylene ethers, nylons, or polystyrenes. Among them, it is preferable to use plastic substrates such as polyesters, polystyrenes, polyolefins, cellulose derivatives, polyarylates, polycarbonates, and polyimides. When having two substrates, it is preferable that both substrates forming a pair have transparency having practicality as a liquid crystal element.

[0212] When used in the light control element of the present invention, a flexible substrate may be used. Those in which a transparent conductive layer is formed on at least one surface of a transparent flexible substrate are preferably used. Examples of the material of the flexible substrate include inorganic materials such as glass that transmit visible light, and organic materials such as plastics. It can be selected and used from those that transmit visible light, are transparent and flexible, and have heat resistance, weather resistance, light resistance, chemical resistance, and impact resistance that can withstand use. When the substrate is an organic material, a plastic substrate is preferable, and examples include biaxially stretched polyester (PET) film, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) film, PET-G film, cycloolefin (COP) film, acrylic film, polycarbonate (PC) film, triacetate (TAC) film, polyimide (PI) film, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) film, cellulose derivative, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), biaxially stretched polypropylene (OPP), polyethylene-based multilayer film, nylon-based multilayer film, and the like. In order to ensure the transparency of the flexible transparent conductive substrate by adjusting the difference between the refractive index of the flexible transparent substrate material and the refractive index of the transparent electrode material, an adjacent surface to the transparent electrode between the flexible transparent substrate and the surface opposite to the flexible transparent substrate, A refractive index adjustment layer may be formed. A hard coat layer may be formed on a surface between the flexible transparent substrate and a transparent electrode or a refractive index adjustment layer, or on a surface opposite to the transparent electrode.

[0213] Although the shape of the substrate has been shown as a flat plate shape, other shapes such as those having a curved surface may be acceptable. Further, the substrate may have an electrode layer, an antireflection function, or a reflection function as required.

[0214] For improving the adhesion in the liquid crystal element of the present embodiment, the surface treatment of these substrates may be performed. Examples of the surface treatment include ozone treatment, plasma treatment, corona treatment, silane coupling treatment, etc. Further, in order to adjust the light transmittance and reflectance, an organic thin film, an inorganic oxide thin film, a metal thin film, etc. are provided on the substrate surface by a method such as vapor deposition, or in order to add optical added value, the substrate may be a pickup lens, a rod lens, an optical disk, a retardation film, a light diffusion film, a microlens sheet, a color filter, etc.

[0215] 〔Electrode: Transparent Electrode Layer〕 The electrode used in the liquid crystal element of the present embodiment is provided so as to generate an electric field capable of controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the phase-separated liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal element. The electric field strength is controlled by the degree of voltage application to the electrode. The shape of the electrode is not particularly limited, and the conductive portion may be in a uniform planar shape, a stripe shape, a mesh shape, or a random mesh shape.

[0216] In order to enhance the transparency of the liquid crystal element, it is preferable that the electrode is composed of a transparent electrode layer. As the electrode material for forming the transparent electrode, if it is transparent, it can be selected from, for example, metals, metal oxides, metal alloys, and organic conductive materials. In the case of metal oxides, for example, known transparent conductive materials such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), and IZTO (Indium Zinc Tin Oxide) can be used, and a transparent film can be formed by a method such as sputtering or vapor deposition. In addition to these, films formed by sputtering or vapor deposition of metals or metal alloys in a transparent manner, those in which metals or metal alloys are arranged in a mesh or wire shape, or composite films thereof can be used. Examples of the metal material include silver, copper, gold, chromium, aluminum, tantalum, titanium, molybdenum, tungsten, nickel, or an alloy containing at least one of these, and silver or an alloy containing silver is preferred. Examples of the organic conductive material include polythiophene-based such as conductive polymer polyethylene dioxythiophene (PEDOT), polyacetylene-based, polyaniline-based, and polypyrrole-based. Among them, the polythiophene-based is preferred because of the good balance of conductivity, stability, transparency, and film-forming property, and polyethylene dioxythiophene (PEDOT) is more preferred.

[0217] 〔Alignment film layer〕 The above substrate may be subjected to an alignment treatment or provided with an alignment film so that the liquid crystal molecules in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of the present embodiment are horizontally aligned or vertically aligned. Examples of the alignment treatment include stretching treatment, rubbing treatment, polarized ultraviolet-visible light irradiation treatment, ion beam treatment, oblique vapor deposition treatment of SiO2 on the substrate, etc. Examples of such an alignment film include compounds such as polyimide, polysiloxane, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyphenylene ether, polyarylate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethersulfone, epoxy resin, epoxy acrylate resin, acrylic resin, azo compound, coumarin compound, chalcone compound, cinnamate compound, fulgide compound, anthraquinone compound, aryl ethene compound, etc., or polymers or copolymers of the above compounds. When performing a rubbing treatment to impart a tilt angle to the liquid crystal molecules, the compound for alignment treatment by rubbing is preferably one in which the crystallization of the material is promoted by performing an alignment treatment or a heating step after the alignment treatment. Among the compounds for alignment treatment other than rubbing, it is preferable to use a photoalignment material.

[0218] 〔Refractive index adjustment layer〕 As the refractive index adjustment layer, a transparent metal oxide can be used. For example, a dispersion of ultrafine particles made of materials such as zinc oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO), aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide is applied and dried to form it, or a film of these materials is formed on the flexible substrate surface by sputtering, which is preferable.

[0219] Generally, when a liquid crystal composition is brought into contact with a substrate having an alignment function, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned along the direction in which the substrate has been alignment-treated near the substrate. Whether the liquid crystal molecules are aligned horizontally, inclined, or vertically with respect to the substrate is greatly affected by the alignment treatment method for the substrate.

[0220] 〔Example of manufacturing method of liquid crystal element〕 The liquid crystal element of this embodiment can be manufactured by a batch production method such as a method of dropping a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition on a glass substrate by an ODF method, an IJ method, etc., or a method of vacuum-injecting a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition between two substrates. As another method, it can also be manufactured by a roll-to-roll method in which a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition is dropped or applied on a base material by an ODF method or the like, and a counter substrate is laminated thereon.

[0221] In the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal element by the roll-to-roll method, the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition is applied onto the first electrode, or a glass substrate having an alignment film and the first electrode, or a plastic substrate, and then bonded to the second electrode, or a glass substrate having an alignment film and the second electrode, or the electrode side or the alignment film side of the plastic substrate so that the liquid crystal composition is in contact therewith, and the thickness is made uniform, whereby the liquid crystal element can also be manufactured. As a method for applying the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition used in the present embodiment, known and commonly used methods such as an applicator method, a bar coating method, a roll coating method, a direct gravure coating method, a reverse gravure coating method, an inkjet method, a die coating method, and a cap coating method can be mentioned. In the liquid crystal element manufacturing process of the ODF method, a liquid crystal display sealant such as an epoxy-based photo-thermosetting sealant is drawn in a closed-loop levee shape using a dispenser on either the backplane or the front plane of the hollow element substrate, and after a predetermined amount of the liquid crystal composition is dropped therein under degassing, the front plane and the backplane are joined to manufacture the liquid crystal element.

[0222] The liquid crystal element of the present embodiment can be manufactured from a liquid crystal element by interposing a spacer for maintaining the interval between two substrates in the same manner as a well-known liquid crystal element. The thickness between the substrates, that is, the thickness of the phase separation layer is preferably from 2 to 50 μm, more preferably from 5 to 30 μm. The spacer may be previously scattered on the substrate, or may be previously mixed in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition and applied onto the substrate simultaneously with the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition. Also, a technique of standing column spacers on the substrate may be employed.

[0223] As a method for sandwiching the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition between two substrates, an ordinary vacuum injection method may be used, but it is preferably performed by dropping or coating such as the ODF method. It is preferable that the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition is in a uniform isotropic state from the dropping or coating until the polymerizable compound (MA) polymerizes. When performing dripping or coating, as a method of sandwiching the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition between two substrates, it can be carried out by a method of sandwiching the two substrates with a laminator or the like, or a method of bonding the opposing substrates.

[0224] The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment may be sandwiched in a hollow element as a composition mixed with particles for determining the thickness of the liquid crystal element. As such particles, known and commonly used glass particles and polymer particles used in general liquid crystal display elements and liquid crystal displays are used.

[0225] In that case, after applying a composition containing the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition and the particles for determining the thickness of the liquid crystal element onto the plastic substrate provided with the first electrode, the plastic substrate provided with the second electrode is bonded using a rubber roll, a laminator, or the like so that the first electrode and the second electrode face each other, and then irradiated with ultraviolet rays as it is; a method of irradiating ultraviolet rays in a state where pressure is applied to the bonded first plastic substrate and second plastic substrate to make them adhere; or a method of making the bonded first plastic substrate and second plastic substrate in a vacuum state to adhere and irradiating ultraviolet rays in the vacuum state is preferable.

[0226] 〔Polymerization method〕 As a method of polymerizing the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present embodiment, ultraviolet irradiation is preferable. As a lamp for generating ultraviolet rays, a metal halide lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultra-high-pressure mercury lamp, or the like can be used. Further, as the wavelength of the irradiated ultraviolet rays, it is preferable to irradiate ultraviolet rays in a wavelength region that is the absorption wavelength region of the photoinitiator contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition and not the absorption wavelength region of the contained liquid crystal composition. Specifically, it is preferable to irradiate light from a metal halide lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, or an ultra-high-pressure mercury lamp through an ultraviolet cut filter or the like after cutting off ultraviolet rays of 330 nm or less. It is also preferable to use a UV-LED lamp that can irradiate a single wavelength.

[0227] The intensity of the ultraviolet light to be irradiated can be appropriately adjusted to obtain the target light control layer, but it is preferably from 1 to 200 mW / cm 2 and more preferably from 5 to 50 mW / cm 2 . The time for irradiating the ultraviolet light is appropriately selected according to the intensity of the ultraviolet light to be irradiated, but it is preferably from 10 to 300 seconds.

[0228] In addition, the temperature of the bonded first plastic substrate and the second plastic substrate during ultraviolet irradiation is an important factor in determining the characteristics of the light control layer of the liquid crystal element. Therefore, a temperature higher than the isotropic-nematic transition point (Tnm) of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition is preferred.

[0229] The liquid crystal element of this embodiment can be used as it is or can be used by bonding it to other substrates. Further, an adhesive or an adhesive layer, an adhesive or an adhesive layer, an ultraviolet cut film or an infrared cut film, a protective film or a polarizing film, etc. may be laminated.

[0230] 〔Other field types〕 In addition to the vertical field type, a horizontal field type or other field types may be adopted for the liquid crystal element of this embodiment. The fringe field adopted in the FFS driving mode may be adopted. In this case, a horizontal alignment layer may be provided. The horizontal alignment layer can be composed of a known material.

[0231] The liquid crystal element of this embodiment is preferably used, for example, in building materials, light control glass, a smart window for vehicle use, or a light control unit in an OLED display. The liquid crystal element of this embodiment can be used for the same applications as conventional polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display elements, and can also be preferably used for transmissive displays, flexible displays, etc. More specifically, light control elements for architecture such as windows, skylights, roofs, walls, partitions, room dividers, doors, etc., light control elements for transportation such as doors, windows, doors, helmets, sunroofs, etc., decorative light control elements such as sunglasses, glasses, visors, watches, mirrors, reflectors, etc., and articles such as display members for flexible liquid crystal display elements, reflective liquid crystal display elements, transparent liquid crystal display elements, variable diffusion films, etc.

[0232] <Display element or dimming element> The display element or dimming element of this embodiment has a pair of transparent electrode substrates and a composite layer disposed between the pair of transparent electrode substrates and containing a polymer network and a liquid crystal compound. The polymer network is a polymer network derived from a polymerizable compound (MA) as the second component contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition, and the liquid crystal compound is a non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB) as the first component contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition.

[0233] This display element or dimming element may use the aforementioned liquid crystal element using a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition, and may be an element that electrically controls the light transmittance of the liquid crystal element. This dimming element may simply be the aforementioned liquid crystal element with a voltage application device attached, but it may also be a laminated glass in which the liquid crystal element is sandwiched between two pieces of glass via an intermediate film such as PVB (polyvinyl butyral), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin), TPU (polyurethane-based), or SGP. Further, a functional film such as an ultraviolet cut or a heat ray cut may be added.

[0234] By applying or releasing a potential difference between a pair of opposing transparent electrodes in this display element or dimming element, it is possible to switch between a scattered state and a transparent state with respect to visible light.

[0235] When the display element or dimming element of this embodiment is prepared using the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of this embodiment, since it is important to achieve both cloudiness (transmittance T0) and voltage holding ratio (VHR) maintenance, it is preferable that the transmittance T0 is 10 or less and the VHR is 93% or more. More preferably, the transmittance T0 is 5 or less and the VHR is 97% or more. More preferably, the transmittance T0 is 5 or less and the VHR is 98% or more. The evaluation methods for cloudiness (transmittance T0) and voltage holding ratio (VHR) will be described in the examples.

Examples

[0236] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In addition, "parts" in the compositions of the following examples and comparative examples means "parts by mass".

[0237] The non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound (LB) as the first component used in the examples and comparative examples described below is shown in Table 1. The descriptions of the polymerizable compound (MA) as the second component, the third component, and the fourth component used in the examples and comparative examples described below are shown in Table 2.

[0238] [Table 1]

[0239] [Table 2]

[0240] (Example 1) 76 parts by mass of LC1 as the first component shown in Table 1, 13.71 parts by mass of M2 and 9.14 parts by mass of M1 as the second component shown in Table 2; 0.91 parts by mass of P1 as the third component shown in Table 2; 0.23 parts by mass of A1 as the fourth component shown in Table 2 were used to obtain a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition PNM-01.

[0241] The obtained polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition PNM-01 was injected into a glass cell with ITO electrodes having a cell thickness of 10 μm by a vacuum injection method. In that state, the cell injected with the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition was left on a desk in a room illuminated by a fluorescent lamp at a brightness of 400 lx for 4 hours. This reproduces, for example, a situation where the production line stops during the manufacture of a liquid crystal element and the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition is left for about 4 hours in an environment irradiated with a normal indoor fluorescent lamp. Then, through a blue plate glass with a thickness of 6 mm, it was irradiated with a metal halide lamp having an ultraviolet intensity of 20 mw / cm 2 for 150 seconds at room temperature (about 25°C) to obtain a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display element. The following cloudiness, transmittance (T0), and voltage holding ratio (VHR) were evaluated, and the results are shown in Table 3.

[0242] (Cloudiness) Whether the element was cloudy was visually observed and judged according to the following criteria. 〇: Cloudy ×: Not cloudy

[0243] (T0: Transmittance) For the compositions in which cloudiness was confirmed, using the LCD evaluation device "LCD-5200" manufactured by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd., with the state where nothing was placed in the optical system of the LCD-5200 (air) as a reference, the transmittance was measured under the conditions of lens B and aperture S.

[0244] (VHR: Voltage holding ratio) For the compositions in which cloudiness was confirmed, using the liquid crystal physical property evaluation system manufactured by Toyo Technica Co., Ltd., the voltage holding ratio was measured under the conditions of 5V, 60Hz, and 25°C.

[0245] (Examples 2 to 7, Comparative Examples 1 to 5) Except for using each component at the compounding ratios shown in Table 3, polymer-dispersed liquid crystal compositions PNM-01 to PNM-07 and PNM-08 to PNM-12 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0246] Using these polymer-dispersed liquid crystal compositions PNM-01 to PNM-07 and PNM-08 to PNM-12, polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elements of Examples 2 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. Using the obtained polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elements, each evaluation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1. The compounding ratios of each component and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

[0247] (Reference Example 1) Using the same polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition PNM-08 as in Comparative Example 1, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of Reference Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. Using the obtained polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element, each evaluation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that it was not left under a fluorescent lamp after injection. The compounding ratios of each component and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

[0248] (Reference Example 2) Using the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition PNM-01 similar to that in Example 1, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of Reference Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. Using the obtained polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element, each evaluation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that it was not left under a fluorescent lamp after injection. The blending ratios of the respective components and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

[0249]

Table 3

[0250] (Discussion) From the above results, in Comparative Example 1 which does not contain a polymerization inhibitor as the fourth component, when left under a fluorescent lamp, the scattering property decreases and a cloudy state cannot be obtained. On the other hand, Examples 1 to 7 which contain a polymerization inhibitor as the fourth component show a cloudy state (= value of T0) comparable to that of Reference Example 1 which was not left under a fluorescent lamp. Also, when using a polymerization inhibitor not corresponding to the fourth component as in Comparative Examples 2 to 5, no effect was obtained and a cloudy state was not achieved. That is, when the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to fabricate a liquid crystal element using, in addition to the vacuum injection method, an ODF method, an IJ method, etc., oxygen is substantially absent in the composition. However, even in such a situation, a polymerization inhibitor as the fourth component can sufficiently exhibit a polymerization inhibition effect and maintain the quality of the composition. For example, even if the production line stops during the manufacture of a liquid crystal element and the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition is left for about 4 hours in an environment irradiated with a normal indoor fluorescent lamp, when the manufacturing operation is resumed thereafter, characteristics equivalent to those of a normal production state without interruption can be obtained.

Claims

1. Containing one or more non-polymerizable liquid crystal compounds as the first component, Containing one or more polymerizable compounds as the second component, Containing one or more polymerization initiators as the third component, Containing one or more polymerization inhibitors as the fourth component, The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition is characterized in that the polymerization inhibitor is a compound having a polymerization inhibition effect or a radical scavenging effect and does not require oxygen for the expression of the effect.

2. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the fourth component is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of general formula (I-a), general formula (I-b), general formula (I-c) and general formula (I-d). 【Chemical 1】 (In the formula, U represents an n-valent organic group, R ２ to R ５ each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Z １ represents -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -NH-, -NHCO-, -CONH- or a single bond, Sp １ represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, n represents an integer from 1 to 4, G １ to G ８ each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a hydroxyl group.)

3. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to claim 2, wherein U in the general formula (I-a) is represented by the general formula (U-1). [Chemical 2] (wherein, Z ｕ１ and Z ｕ２ each independently represents -O-, -S-, -OCH ２ -, -CH ２ O-, -CH ２ CH ２ -, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -SCH ２ -, -CH ２ S-, -CF ２ O-, -OCF ２ -, -CF ２ S-, -SCF ２ -, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -COO-CH ２ CH ２ -, -OCO-CH ２ CH ２ -, -CH ２ CH ２ -COO-, -CH ２ CH ２ -OCO-, -COO-CH ２ -, -OCO-CH ２ -, -CH ２ -COO-, -CH ２ -OCO-, -CH=CH-, -N=N-, -CH=N-, -N=CH-, -CH=N-N=CH-, -CF=CF-, -C≡C- or a single bond, A ｕ１ is (a) 1,4 - cyclohexylene group (one - CH ２ - or two or more non - adjacent - CH ２ - may be replaced by - O -.) (b) 1,4-phenylene group (one -CH= present in this group or two or more non-adjacent -CH= may be replaced by -N=.) and (c) Naphthalene-2,6-diyl group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group or decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group (one -CH= present in the naphthalene-2,6-diyl group or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group or two or more non-adjacent -CH= may be replaced by -N=.) represents a group selected from the group consisting of, and the above groups (a), (b) and (c) are each independently a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a pentafluorothio group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an isocyano group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a diethylamino group, a diisopropylamino group, a trimethylsilyl group, a dimethylsilyl group, a thioisocyano group or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, which may be substituted, and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ２ - are each independently -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -OCF ２ -, -CF ２ O- or -C≡C- may be substituted, Sp ｕ１ represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ２ - in the alkylene group, where the -CH ｕ１ adjacent to Sp ｕ１ not directly bonded to the adjacent Z ２ - may each independently be -O-, -S-, -CO-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CO-S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-O-, -CO-NH-, -NH-CO-, -CH=CH-COO-, -CH=CH-OCO-, -COO-CH=CH-, -OCO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH-, -CF=CF-, -OCF ２ -, -CF ２ O-, or -C≡C- and may be substituted, W represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a pentafluorosulfuranyl group, a nitro group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group or a 1-4 valent organic group, and the valence of W is the same as the number represented by n in the general formula (I-a), pu1 represents an integer from 0 to 8, nu1 represents an integer from 1 to 4, and nu1 and n in the general formula (I-a) are the same number, Z ｕ１ 、Z ｕ２ 、Sp ｕ１ and A ｕ１ If there are a plurality of them, they may be the same or different.

4. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 or 3, wherein n in the general formula (I-a) is 1 or 2.

5. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the molecular weight of the compound contained as the fourth component is 200 or more.

6. A liquid crystal element obtained by using the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A pair of transparent electrode substrates, A display element or a light control element having a liquid crystal polymer composite containing a polymer network and a liquid crystal compound disposed between the transparent electrode substrates, The polymer network is a polymer network derived from the polymerizable compound contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, The liquid crystal compound is a non-polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, a display element or a light control element.

Images