Optical laminate, laminate for transfer, polarization plate, display panel and picture display unit

Abstract

To provide an optical laminate contributing to thinning of films and improvement of productivity while simultaneously realizing excellent ultraviolet absorptivity and excellent orientation, and also to provide a laminate for transfer, a polarization plate, a display panel and a picture display unit.SOLUTION: An optical laminate includes a positive A layer and an alignment layer as well as ultraviolet absorption layer directly contacting the positive A layer. The optical laminate has a transmittance of 1.0% or less at a wavelength of 380 nm and a transmittance of 20.0% or less at a wavelength of 400 nm. The alignment layer as well as ultraviolet absorption layer does not include a region impregnated with a liquid-crystalline component included in the positive A layer in a positive A layer side interface.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical laminate, a transfer laminate, a polarizing plate, a display panel, and an image display device in which an alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer having the functions of both an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorbing layer in a single layer is directly in contact with a positive A layer. [Background technology]

[0002] As an optical laminate applied to image display devices and the like, there is a retardation plate that imparts a desired phase difference to incident light by a retardation layer. For example, in an organic electroluminescence (organic EL) display device, a quarter-wave retardation plate is used as a circular polarizer in combination with a linear polarizer, and functions as an external light anti-reflection film. Also, in a liquid crystal display device such as an IPS mode, a retardation plate that combines a positive A layer with positive A characteristics and a positive C layer with positive C characteristics is used as part of a polarizer compensation film in order to increase the contrast in the field of view from an oblique direction.

[0003] On the other hand, optical laminates applied to image display devices and the like are required to have an ultraviolet absorbing function for the purposes of blocking blue light and suppressing eye damage, and improving the light resistance of the optical laminate. Conventionally, an ultraviolet absorbing layer has been laminated via an adhesive layer as a layer separate from a retardation layer such as a positive A layer or an alignment layer (for example, Patent Document 1). As display devices become thinner, optical laminates such as retardation plates are also required to have a configuration that allows them to be thinner while maintaining their performance, and to have more efficient manufacturing processes.

[0004] It is described that an ultraviolet absorber may be added as an additive selected appropriately in the composition for alignment film, but it is also described that additives such as ultraviolet absorbers can be added to an extent that does not significantly reduce the alignment ability of liquid crystals (for example, Patent Document 2). Patent Document 3 describes an optical laminate having a positive A layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer in contact with the positive A layer, wherein the ultraviolet absorption layer is an alignment layer for the positive A layer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In order to impart an excellent ultraviolet absorption function to an optical laminate, when an ultraviolet absorption layer is laminated as a separate layer to form an optical laminate such as an ultraviolet absorption layer / adhesive layer / alignment layer / positive A layer, there are problems that there is a limit to thinning the film, the number of processes increases, and productivity is low. On the other hand, the addition amount of the ultraviolet absorber contained in the alignment layer of the thin film for the positive A layer in Patent Document 3 is small, and it is insufficient as the ultraviolet absorption function of the optical laminate. There was a limit to achieving both an excellent ultraviolet absorption function and alignment in a thin film by the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical laminate, a transfer laminate, a polarizing plate, a display panel, and an image display device that contribute to thinning and improving productivity while achieving both excellent ultraviolet absorption ability and excellent alignment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] That is, the present disclosure includes the following aspects. [1] An optical laminate comprising a positive A layer and an alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer that is directly in contact with the positive A layer, wherein the transmittance of the optical laminate at a wavelength of 380 nm is 1.0% or less, and the transmittance at a wavelength of 400 nm is 20.0% or less, and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer does not include a region in which a liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated at the interface on the positive A layer side. [2] The optical laminate according to [1], wherein in the thickness direction of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer, the photoalignment component is relatively more present at the interface on the positive A layer side compared to the surface on the side that does not contact the positive A layer. [3] The optical laminate according to [1] or [2], which satisfies the following formula (A) when the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer is analyzed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Formula (A): I AU > 1.3 × I SU (In formula (A), I AU represents the intensity of secondary ions derived from the photoalignment component detected at a position 100 nm in the thickness direction from the interface on the positive A layer side of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer. I SU represents the intensity of secondary ions derived from the photoalignment component detected at a position 100 nm in the thickness direction from the surface on the side that does not contact the positive A layer of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer.) Note that the "intensity of secondary ions derived from the photoalignment component" detected by TOF-SIMS in this specification is intended to be the intensity of fragment ions derived from the photoalignment component. [4] The optical laminate according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the complex elastic modulus of the surface on the side that does not contact the positive A layer of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer is 4.0 GPa or more and 8.0 GPa or less. [5] The optical laminate according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the surface free energy of the surface of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer on the positive A layer side is smaller than the surface free energy of the surface of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer on the side not in contact with the positive A layer. [6] A transfer laminate for transferring the positive A layer and the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, comprising a support that detachably supports the positive A layer and the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer on the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer side of the optical laminate according to any one of [1] to [5]. [7] A polarizing plate comprising the optical laminate according to any one of [1] to [5] and a polarizer. [8] A polarizing plate comprising a polarizer and, as a transparent protective plate located on at least one side of the polarizer, the optical laminate according to any one of [1] to [5]. [9] A display panel comprising the optical laminate according to any one of [1] to [5] on a light-emitting surface of a display element.

[10] The display panel according to [9], wherein the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer is located on a side farther from the display element than the positive A layer.

[11] A display panel comprising the polarizing plate according to [8] on a light-emitting surface of a display element.

[12] The display panel according to

[11] , wherein the optical laminate is located on a side farther from the display element than the polarizer.

[13] The display panel according to

[11] , wherein the polarizer is located on a side farther from the display element than the optical laminate.

[14] The display panel according to

[11] , wherein the optical laminate is located on a side farther from the display element than the polarizer, and on the opposite side of the optical laminate with respect to the polarizer, there is provided the optical laminate according to any one of [1] to [5] or a positive A layer.

[15] An image display device comprising the display panel according to any one of [9] to

[14] . [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the present disclosure, there is an effect that an optical laminate, a transfer laminate, a polarizing plate, a display panel, and an image display device that contribute to thinning and productivity improvement can be provided while achieving both excellent ultraviolet absorption ability and excellent orientation.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010]

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Figure 16

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments, examples, etc. of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings and the like. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different modes and is not to be construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments, examples, etc. exemplified below. Also, for the purpose of making the explanation clearer, the drawings may schematically represent the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual mode, but this is only an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. Also, in this specification and each drawing, the same reference numerals may be given to the same elements as those described above with respect to the previously shown drawings, and the detailed description may be omitted as appropriate. Also, for the convenience of explanation, the terms "upper" or "lower" may be used for explanation, but the up and down directions may be reversed. "In this specification, when it is stated that a certain configuration of a certain member or a certain region etc. is "above (or below)" another configuration of another member or another region etc., unless there is a special limitation, this includes not only the case where it is directly above (or directly below) the other configuration, but also the case where it is above (or below) the other configuration, that is, the case where another component is included between above (or below) the other configuration.

[0012] In the present disclosure, "(meth)acrylic" represents each of acrylic or methacrylic, and "(meth)acrylate" represents each of acrylate or methacrylate. Also, in this specification, the terms "plate", "sheet", and "film" are not distinguished from each other based only on the difference in name, and "film surface (plate surface, sheet surface)" refers to the surface that coincides with the plane direction of the target film-like (plate-like, sheet-like) member when the target film-like member (plate-like member, sheet-like member) is viewed as a whole and globally. Also, in the present disclosure, "~" indicating a numerical range is used in the meaning of including the numerical values described before and after it as the lower limit value and the upper limit value.

[0013] In the present disclosure, the in-plane retardation at a wavelength of λ nm may be denoted as "Re(λ)", and the out-of-plane (thickness direction) retardation at a wavelength of λ nm may be denoted as "Rth(λ)". Unless otherwise specified, the wavelength λ is 550 nm. The in-plane retardation (Re) and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) can be calculated from Nx, Ny, Nz, and the thickness d (nm) of the retardation layer by the following equations. In-plane retardation (Re) = (Nx - Ny) × d Out-of-plane retardation (Rth) = ((Nx + Ny) / 2 - Nz) × d In the present disclosure, the in-plane retardation (Re) and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the optical laminate or the retardation layer are the values measured at a wavelength λ using a retardation measuring device (manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd., KOBRA-WR). When measuring the in-plane retardation (Re) using KOBRA-WR, the measurement is performed in accordance with the following (A-1) to (A-2). (A1) First, to stabilize the light source of KOBRA-WR, turn on the light source and leave it for 60 minutes or more. Then, select wavelength plate measurement to obtain the data of the reference analyzer. (A2) Using the angle of incidence dependence (single N calculation), set the measurement conditions as follows and perform the measurement. (Measurement conditions) · Measurement mode: Standard · Tilt center angle: Advance phase axis · Angle of incidence: 0° · Average number of measurement times: 3 times · Average refractive index of the layer to be measured: Input the measured value (average refractive index) measured in accordance with JIS K7142 using a sodium D line (589 nm) as the light source with an Abbe refractometer (manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd.). · Thickness: Thickness measured with a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) In the present disclosure, the refractive indices Nx, Ny, and Nz are measured using an Abbe refractometer (manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd., NAR-4T) with a sodium lamp (λ = 589 nm) as the light source. When measuring the wavelength dependence, it can be measured in combination with an interference filter using a multi-wavelength Abbe refractometer (manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd., DR-M2). Also, the values in the Polymer Handbook (JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC) and various optical film catalogs can be used. The values of the average refractive indices of main optical films are exemplified below: polyethylene terephthalate (1.617), cellulose acetate (1.48), cycloolefin polymer (1.52), polycarbonate (1.59), polymethyl methacrylate (1.49), and polystyrene (1.59).

[0014] In the present disclosure, the positive A layer is a layer that satisfies the relationship Nx > Ny ≒ Nz, where Nx is the refractive index in the X-axis direction, which is the axial direction with the highest refractive index along the in-plane direction of the layer, Ny is the refractive index in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis along the in-plane direction of the layer, and Nz is the refractive index in the thickness direction of the layer. Here, the “≒” includes not only the case where both are exactly the same but also the case where both are substantially the same. “Substantially the same” means that (Ny - Nz) × d (where d is the film thickness) is also included in “Ny ≒ Nz” when it is -8 to 8 nm. (Ny - Nz) × d is preferably -5 to 5 nm. Also, in the present disclosure, the positive C layer is a layer that satisfies the relationship Nx ≒ Ny < Nz. Here, the “≒” includes not only the case where both are exactly the same but also the case where both are substantially the same. “Substantially the same” means that (Nx - Ny) × d (where d is the film thickness) is also included in “Nx ≒ Ny” when it is 0 to 3 nm. (Nx - Ny) × d is preferably 0 to 2 nm.

[0015] I. Optical laminate The present disclosure relates to an optical laminate including a positive A layer and an alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer directly in contact with the positive A layer. The transmittance of the optical laminate at a wavelength of 380 nm is 1.0% or less, and the transmittance at a wavelength of 400 nm is 20.0% or less. Provided is an optical laminate in which the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer does not include a region in which a liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated at the positive A layer side interface.

[0016] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of the optical laminate of the present disclosure. The optical laminate 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a positive A layer 2 and an alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer 1 directly contacting the positive A layer 2, and the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer 1 does not include a region in which a liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "penetration region"). The optical laminate of the present disclosure may further include a substrate. The optical laminate 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a substrate 4, an alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer 1 directly contacting the substrate, and a positive A layer 2 directly contacting the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer 1, and the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer 1 does not include a region in which a liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated.

[0017] In one embodiment of the optical laminate, the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer 1, the positive A layer 2, and other functional layers may be laminated in this order, and may be laminated with other positive C layers or positive A layers via an adhesive (not shown). Further, in the optical laminate of the present disclosure, from the viewpoint that the thickness after manufacturing can be reduced, the substrate 4 may be peeled off after manufacturing so that the substrate may not be contained as shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] Whether or not there is a region in the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer 1 into which the liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated is determined by performing depth profiling in the thickness direction of the layer from the surface of the positive A layer with a gas cluster ion beam while performing time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) to obtain the depth profiles of fragment ions derived from the liquid crystal component derived from the positive A layer and fragment ions derived from the photoalignment component contained in the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer. The depth profiling analysis is performed by repeating a series of operations in which after performing component analysis in the surface depth region of 1 to 2 nm, digging 10 nm in the thickness direction with a gas cluster ion beam, and then performing component analysis in the next surface depth region of 1 to 2 nm. Based on the result of layer thickness measurement by STEM, after digging 80% in the depth direction from the surface of the positive A layer, the above-described repeating operation is started. In the depth profile, when there is no portion where both fragment ions derived from the liquid crystal component derived from the positive A layer and fragment ions derived from the photoalignment component contained in the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer are detected, it is determined that the region does not include the region where the liquid crystal component has penetrated. More specifically, while etching with an argon gas cluster ion beam (Ar-GCIB) gun (15 kV, 2.5 nA, 500×500 μm), the primary ion is Bi3 ++ , and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry is performed with an acceleration voltage of 30 kV.

[0019] The optical laminate of the present disclosure is an optical laminate including a positive A layer and an alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer directly in contact with the positive A layer, wherein the transmittance of the optical laminate at a wavelength of 380 nm is 1.0% or less and the transmittance at a wavelength of 400 nm is 20.0% or less, and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer does not include a region in which the liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated at the interface on the positive A layer side, and thus has excellent ultraviolet absorption ability while having excellent alignment properties, contributing to thinning and productivity improvement. In the optical laminate of the present disclosure, the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer that is directly in contact with the positive A layer contains a large amount of ultraviolet absorber to exhibit predetermined ultraviolet absorption characteristics, and the hardness is controlled so as not to include a region where the liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated at the interface on the positive A layer side. As a result, in the optical laminate of the present disclosure, when forming the positive A layer, the liquid crystal alignment ability can be exhibited without disturbing the photoalignment component of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer, so that excellent alignment can be exhibited. In addition, in the optical laminate of the present disclosure, by the ultraviolet irradiation when forming the positive A layer on the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer, due to the heat generation of a large amount of ultraviolet absorber, the thermosetting of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer is promoted also in the ultraviolet irradiation step of the positive A layer forming step, and a stronger film can be formed. Furthermore, it is presumed that the thermoset of the ultraviolet absorber shows a higher complex elastic modulus compared to the photoalignment component, and a photoalignment layer having superior mechanical strength than the conventional photoalignment film can be formed. Since the optical laminate of the present disclosure has excellent ultraviolet absorption ability, it is possible to shield blue light and suppress damage to the eyes, and to improve the light resistance of the optical laminate. In addition, the optical laminate of the present disclosure has excellent ultraviolet absorption ability, and the positive A layer and the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer are directly laminated, so that the ultraviolet absorber layer laminated in a separate layer as in the conventional case is unnecessary, the thickness can be reduced, the manufacturing process can be made efficient, and the productivity is improved.

[0020] In the optical laminate of the present disclosure, in the thickness direction of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer, the photoalignment component may be relatively more present at the interface on the positive A layer side compared to the surface on the side not in contact with the positive A layer. When the photo-aligning component is unevenly distributed such that it is relatively more present at the interface on the positive A layer side in the thickness direction of the alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer, even if the amount of the photo-aligning component in the alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer is small, there is sufficient presence of the photo-aligning component on the surface on the positive A layer side, and a liquid crystal alignment ability to horizontally align the positive A layer can be exhibited. On the other hand, on the side of the alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer that does not contact the positive A layer, a large amount of UV absorber can be contained, and excellent UV absorption ability can be exhibited. When the photo-aligning component is unevenly distributed such that it is relatively more present at the interface on the positive A layer side in the thickness direction of the alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer, the coexistence of excellent alignment ability and excellent UV absorption ability on the positive A layer side can be achieved with a thinner film. Further, when the photo-aligning component is unevenly distributed such that it is relatively more present at the interface on the positive A layer side, since excellent alignment ability can be expressed, the manufacturing process of the positive A layer can be adjusted to milder conditions. Also, when the photo-aligning component is unevenly distributed such that it is relatively more present at the interface on the positive A layer side, there is an advantage that the liquid crystal alignment ability is less likely to be impaired even when a third additive is added for further function addition to the alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer.

[0021] Hereinafter, the members included in the optical laminate will be described in detail. 1. Alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer The alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer 1 of the present disclosure is a layer exhibiting the predetermined UV absorption ability, and since it is in direct contact with the positive A layer 2, it also has a liquid crystal alignment ability to horizontally align the positive A layer. The alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer 1 of the present disclosure may contain a photo-aligning component and a UV absorber.

[0022] The alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, but may be a cured product of a thermosetting composition containing a photoalignment component, an ultraviolet absorber, and a thermal crosslinking agent, from the viewpoint of easily satisfying the above characteristics. At least one of the photoalignment component and the ultraviolet absorber may have a thermally crosslinkable group capable of reacting with the thermal crosslinking agent. The ultraviolet absorber usually contains a hydroxy group that functions as a thermally crosslinkable group. From the viewpoints of photoalignment and suppression of bleed-out, both the photoalignment component and the ultraviolet absorber may have a thermally crosslinkable group. When the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 is a cured product of a thermosetting composition containing a photoalignment component, an ultraviolet absorber, and a thermal crosslinking agent, its crosslinked structure makes the heat resistance and solvent resistance of the film good, and the durability is high. When the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 is a cured product of a thermosetting composition containing a photoalignment component, an ultraviolet absorber, and a thermal crosslinking agent, compared with the case of a cured product of a photocurable composition, it is less likely to become hard and is likely to have flexibility, and the curability is easy to control. Therefore, when forming the positive A layer to be directly laminated, it is easy to suppress solvent penetration that may disrupt the alignment, and it is easy to suppress the formation of a penetration region of the liquid crystal component at the interface with the positive A layer. Further, due to the curing of the ultraviolet absorber, the photoalignment component is immobilized on the surface of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer and is difficult to be disturbed under the formation conditions of the positive A layer. Therefore, on the surface side of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, by polarized light irradiation, the photoalignment component easily exhibits the function of an alignment layer in the cured film, and it easily functions as an alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. Further, when the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 is a cured product of a thermosetting composition containing a photoalignment component, an ultraviolet absorber, and a thermal crosslinking agent, in the optical laminate of the present disclosure, the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer and the positive A layer are directly laminated, the thickness can be reduced, and since the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer is likely to have appropriate flexibility, the bending resistance can be easily improved.

[0023] 1-1. Photoalignment component Examples of the photoalignment component include a compound containing a photoalignment group as an alignment portion, or a polymer having a photoalignment structural unit containing a photoalignment group in a side chain. Even when mixed with an ultraviolet absorber, a photoaligning polymer having a photoaligning structural unit containing a photoaligning group in the side chain may be used because the photoalignment property in the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 is likely to be improved and the solubility in a solvent is good.

[0024] As the photoaligning component, in order to be likely to be unevenly distributed on the surface so as to be relatively abundant at the interface on the positive A layer side when forming the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer by mixing with an ultraviolet absorber, it may have a second site that promotes uneven distribution on the surface, or may be a compound having a photoaligning group and a second site that promotes uneven distribution on the surface. As the photoaligning component, from the viewpoint that it is likely to be unevenly distributed on the surface so as to be relatively abundant at the interface on the positive A layer side when forming the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer by mixing with an ultraviolet absorber, and the photoalignment property is likely to be improved, it may be a photoaligning copolymer containing a photoaligning structural unit containing a photoaligning group in the side chain and a second structural unit that promotes uneven distribution on the surface.

[0025] As the photoaligning component, from the viewpoint of improving the photoalignment property of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, it may further have a thermally crosslinkable group, or may be a compound having a photoaligning group, a second site that promotes uneven distribution on the surface, and a thermally crosslinkable group. The photoaligning copolymer used in the present disclosure may be a photoaligning copolymer having a photoaligning structural unit containing a photoaligning group in the side chain, a second structural unit that promotes uneven distribution on the surface, and a thermally crosslinkable structural unit containing a thermally crosslinkable group in the side chain. Hereinafter, each structural unit in the photoaligning copolymer will be described.

[0026] (1) Photoaligning structural unit The photoaligning structural unit in the present disclosure is a site that exhibits anisotropy by causing a photoreaction upon light irradiation. The photoreaction is preferably a photodimerization reaction or a photo-isomerization reaction. That is, the photoaligning structural unit is preferably a photodimerizing structural unit that exhibits anisotropy by causing a photodimerization reaction upon light irradiation, or a photo-isomerizing structural unit that exhibits anisotropy by causing a photo-isomerization reaction upon light irradiation.

[0027] The photo-alignment structural unit contains a photo-alignment group in its side chain. As described above, the photo-alignment group is a functional group that exhibits anisotropy by undergoing a photoreaction upon light irradiation, and is preferably a functional group that undergoes a photodimerization reaction or a photo-isomerization reaction.

[0028] Examples of the photo-alignment group that undergoes a photodimerization reaction include a cinnamoyl group, a chalcone group, a coumarin group, an anthracene group, a quinoline group, an azobenzene group, a stilbene group, and the like. The benzene ring in these functional groups may have a substituent. The substituent may be any one that does not interfere with the photodimerization reaction, and examples thereof include an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, a trifluoromethyl group, a cyano group, and the like.

[0029] The photo-alignment group that undergoes a photo-isomerization reaction preferably undergoes a cis-trans isomerization reaction, and examples thereof include a cinnamoyl group, a chalcone group, an azobenzene group, a stilbene group, and the like. The benzene ring in these functional groups may have a substituent. The substituent may be any one that does not interfere with the photo-isomerization reaction, and examples thereof include an alkoxy group, an alkyl group, a halogen atom, a trifluoromethyl group, a cyano group, and the like.

[0030] Among them, the photo-alignment group is preferably a cinnamoyl group. Specifically, the cinnamoyl group is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of the groups represented by the following formulas (x-1) and (x-2).

[0031]

Chemical formula

[0032] In the above formula (x-1), R 1represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a cycloalkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms. However, the alkyl group, aryl group, and cycloalkyl group may be bonded via an ether bond, an ester bond, an amide bond, or a urea bond, and may have a substituent. R 2 ~R 5 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a cyano group. However, the alkyl group, aryl group, and cycloalkyl group may be bonded via an ether bond, an ester bond, an amide bond, or a urea bond, and may have a substituent. R 6 and R 7 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms. Further, in the above formula (x-2), R 11 ~R 15 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or a cyano group. However, the alkyl group, aryl group, and cycloalkyl group may be bonded via an ether bond, an ester bond, an amide bond, or a urea bond, and may have a substituent. R 16 and R 17 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0033] In addition, when the photo-aligning group is a cinnamoyl group, in the case of the group represented by the above formula (x-1), the benzene ring of the styrene skeleton (formula (1-2)) contained in the monomer unit may be the benzene ring of the cinnamoyl group.

[0034] Further, the cinnamoyl group represented by the above formula (x-1) is more preferably a group represented by the following formula (x-3).

[0035] [Chemical formula]

[0036] In the above formula (x - 3), R 2 ~R 7 is the same as in the above formula (x - 1). R 8 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a biphenyl group or a cyclohexyl group. However, the alkyl group, phenyl group, biphenyl group and cyclohexyl group may be bonded via an ether bond, an ester bond, an amide bond or a urea bond. n represents 1 to 5, and R 8 may be bonded to any of the ortho position, meta position and para position. When n is 2 to 5, R 8 may be the same as or different from each other. Among them, it is preferable that n is 1 and R 8 is bonded to the para position.

[0037] When the photo - aligning group is at least one group selected from the group consisting of the groups represented by the above formulas (x - 3) and (x - 2), an aromatic ring is arranged near the end of the photo - aligning structural unit, and it contains a large number of π - electrons. Therefore, it is considered that the affinity with the liquid crystal layer formed on the alignment layer is increased, the liquid crystal alignment ability is improved, and the adhesion with the liquid crystal layer is increased.

[0038] Examples of the monomer unit constituting the photo - aligning structural unit include acrylate, methacrylate, styrene, acrylamide, methacrylamide, maleimide, vinyl ether, vinyl ester and the like. Among them, from the viewpoint of easy availability of raw materials, acrylate, methacrylate and styrene are preferable.

[0039] As the photo - aligning structural unit of the present disclosure, the structural unit represented by the following formula (1) can be exemplified.

[0040] [Chemical formula] (In the above formula (1), Z 1 represents at least one monomer unit selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (1-1) to (1-6), X represents a photo-orienting group, and L 1 represents a single bond, -O-, -S-, -COO-, -COS-, -CO-, -OCO-, an alkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloalkylene group, or a combination thereof.)

[0041] [Chemical formula] (In the above formulas (1-1) to (1-6), R 21 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a chlorine atom, or a phenyl group, R 22 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R 23 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a chlorine atom, or a phenyl group, R 24 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.)

[0042] Examples of the monomer unit constituting the photo-orienting structural unit include at least one selected from the group consisting of the above formulas (1-1) to (1-6). When Z 1 is at least one selected from the group consisting of formula (1-2), -L 1 -X may be bonded to any of the ortho, meta, and para positions, but -L 1 -X being bonded to the para position is preferable because the distance between the photo-orienting groups is likely to be small and photo-orientation is likely to be obtained.)

[0043] As the monomer unit constituting the photo - aligning structural unit, among others, from the viewpoint of ease of raw material procurement, at least one selected from the group consisting of formulas (1 - 1) and (1 - 2) is preferable. Further, when it is at least one selected from the group consisting of formula (1 - 2), since the rigidity of the photo - aligning structural unit of the photo - aligning copolymer increases, the distance between the photo - aligning groups tends to be small, and excellent photo - aligning properties are more easily obtained, which is more preferable. Also, when the copolymer has a styrene skeleton and contains a large amount of π - electron systems, due to the interaction of the π - electron systems, it is considered that the adhesion of the alignment layer and ultraviolet - absorbing layer of the present disclosure to the liquid - crystalline component directly laminated thereon also increases.

[0044] In the above formula (1), X represents a photo - aligning group, which may be the same as described above, and examples include at least one selected from the group consisting of a cinnamoyl group, a chalcone group, a coumarin group, an anthracene group, a quinoline group, an azobenzene group, and a stilbene group. The benzene ring in these functional groups may have a substituent. The substituent may be any one that does not interfere with the photo - dimerization reaction or photo - isomerization reaction, and examples include an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, a trifluoromethyl group, a cyano group, etc. Among others, the photo - aligning group is preferably a cinnamoyl group. Specifically, it is preferably a group represented by the above formulas (x - 1) and (x - 2).

[0045] L 1 represents a single bond, - O -, - S -, - COO -, - COS -, - CO -, - OCO -, an alkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloalkylene group, or a combination thereof, and connects the monomer unit and the photo - aligning group X.

[0046] The above L 1 When it is a single bond, the photo - aligning group X is directly bonded to the monomer unit Z 1 Specific examples of the divalent linking group include - O -, - S -, - COO -, - COS -, - CO -, - OCO -, -(CH2) n -, -(CH2CH2O) m -, - C6H4 -, - C6H10 -, -(CH2) n O-, -(CH2CH2O) m O-, -C6H4O-, -C6H 10 O-, -O(CH2) n O-, -O(CH2CH2O) m O-, -OC6H4O-, -OC6H 10 O-, -OCO(CH2) n COO-, -OCO(CH2CH2O) m COO-, -OCOC6H4O-, -OCOC6H 10 O-, -COO(CH2) n O-, -COO(CH2CH2O) m -, -COOC6H4O-, -COOC6H 10 O- etc. may be mentioned, where -C6H4- is a phenylene group, -C6H 10 - represents a cyclohexylene group. n is 1 to 20, and m is 1 to 10.

[0047] From the viewpoint of photoalignment, the alkylene chain between the monomer unit and the photoalignment group X is preferably short. In the photoalignment structural unit, due to the short alkylene chain structure, the rigidity increases, the distance between the photoalignment groups tends to be small, and it is estimated that the photoalignment (liquid crystal alignment ability) is improved. From the viewpoint of photoalignment, it is preferable that the said n and m are small, n is preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 4, m is preferably 1 to 3, and more preferably 1 to 2. From the viewpoint of photoalignment, it is more preferable that the photoalignment structural unit has a structure without an alkylene chain between the photoalignment group and the main chain of the photoalignment copolymer, and L 1 is more preferably a single bond, -O-, -S-, -COO-, -COS-, -CO-, -OCO-, or a combination of these and an arylene group.

[0048] The photoalignment structural unit possessed by the photoalignment copolymer may be one kind or two or more kinds. For the synthesis of the photo - aligning copolymer, a monomer having a photo - aligning group that induces the above - mentioned photo - aligning structural unit can be used. The monomers having a photo - aligning group can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0049] As for the content ratio of the photo - aligning structural unit in the photo - aligning copolymer, when the amount of the structural unit contained in the whole photo - aligning copolymer is set to 100 mol%, it can be set within the range of 10 mol% to 95 mol%, preferably within the range of 20 mol% to 80 mol%, and may also be within the range of 30 mol% to 60 mol%. If the content ratio of the photo - aligning structural unit is small, the sensitivity decreases, and it may be difficult to impart good liquid - crystal alignment ability. On the other hand, if the content ratio of the photo - aligning structural unit is large, the content ratio of the second structural unit that promotes uneven distribution on the surface or the thermally cross - linkable structural unit decreases, and it may be difficult to develop or maintain good liquid - crystal alignment ability.

[0050] (2) The second structural unit that promotes uneven distribution on the surface The photo - aligning copolymer used in the present disclosure preferably has a second structural unit as a site that promotes uneven distribution of the photo - aligning copolymer on the surface when the photo - aligning copolymer is mixed with an ultraviolet absorber. The site that promotes uneven distribution of the photo - aligning copolymer on the surface is not particularly limited as long as, by including the site, it is possible to promote uneven distribution on the surface when the photo - aligning copolymer is mixed with an ultraviolet absorber.

[0051] Examples of the site that promotes uneven distribution of the photo - aligning copolymer on the surface include a silicon - atom - containing group, a fluorine - atom - containing group, a linear or branched alkyl group having a predetermined number of carbon atoms or more, and the like. More specifically, examples of the site that promotes uneven distribution of the photo - aligning copolymer on the surface include A silicon - atom - containing group (-(O) b -Si(E)3 [where E is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, an aryl group, a linear or branched alkoxy group, -(O) b’ -Si(E’)3, or -{O - Si(E”)2 -}a represents “E”, and E’ and E” each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, an aryl group, or a linear or branched alkoxy group; a represents a number from 1 to 10; b and b’ each independently represent 0 or 1, and when b and b’ are each independently 0, it represents a single bond.), or a linear or branched alkyl group substituted with the silicon atom-containing group; a linear or branched alkyl group containing a fluorine atom; Examples include a linear or branched alkyl group having 4 or more carbon atoms which may have -O- in the carbon chain, etc. Examples of the silicon atom-containing group, the fluorine atom-containing group, and the linear or branched alkyl group having a predetermined number or more of carbon atoms include those similar to those described for Q in formula (2) below, but are not limited thereto.

[0052] These linear or branched alkyl groups substituted with the silicon atom-containing group, the linear or branched alkyl group containing a fluorine atom, and the linear or branched alkyl group having 4 or more carbon atoms which may have -O- in the carbon chain may each be bonded to the monomer unit via a linking group L. Examples of the linking group L include -O-, -S-, -COO-, -COS-, -CO-, -OCO-, or a combination of these and an arylene group, etc. As a site for promoting uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-aligning copolymer, from the viewpoints of ease of raw material procurement, suppressing repelling during positive A layer formation, and improving adhesion, it may be a linear or branched alkyl group having 4 or more carbon atoms which may have -O- in the carbon chain, or a linear or branched alkoxy group having 4 or more carbon atoms which may have -O- in the carbon chain. The number of carbon atoms of the linear or branched alkyl group or the linear or branched alkoxy group may be 18 or less, may be 16 or less, may be 12 or less, and from the viewpoint of facilitating uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-aligning copolymer, it may be 5 or more.

[0053] Examples of the monomer unit constituting the second structural unit include acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, styrene, acrylamide, methacrylamide, maleimide, vinyl ether, vinyl esters, and the like.

[0054] Examples of the second structural unit include structural units represented by the following formula (2).

[0055] [Chemical formula] (In the above formula (2), Z 2 represents at least one monomer unit selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (2-1) to (2-6), and L 2 represents a single bond, -O-, -S-, -COO-, -COS-, -CO-, -OCO-, or a combination of these with an arylene group, and Q represents a group satisfying any one of the following (i) to (iii). (i)-(O) b -Si(E)3 [where E is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, an aryl group, a linear or branched alkoxy group, -(O) b’ -Si(E’)3, or -{O-Si(E”)2-} a where E” is shown, and E’ and E” are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, an aryl group, or a linear or branched alkoxy group, a represents a number from 1 to 10, b and b’ each independently represent 0 or 1, and when b and b’ are each independently 0, it represents a single bond.] substituted linear or branched alkyl group, or -Si(E)3 (where E is the same as above), and the total carbon number is 3 or more and 18 or less; (ii) A linear or branched alkyl group containing a fluorine atom and having a total carbon number of 3 or more and 18 or less; (iii) A linear or branched alkyl group that may have -O- in the carbon chain and has a total carbon number of 4 or more and 18 or less; Here, the total carbon number refers to the total number of carbon atoms in Q.)

[0056] [Chemical formula] (In the above formulas (2-1) to (2-6), R 31 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a chlorine atom or a phenyl group, and R 32 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R 33 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a chlorine atom or a phenyl group, and R 34 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.)

[0057] Among the monomer units constituting the second structural unit, at least one selected from the group consisting of formulas (2-1) and (2-2) is preferable from the viewpoint of easy raw material procurement. Further, at least one selected from the group consisting of formula (2-2) is more preferable from the viewpoint that the liquid crystal alignment ability of the photo-alignment copolymer is likely to be improved.

[0058] L 2 represents a single bond, -O-, -S-, -COO-, -COS-, -CO-, -OCO-, or a combination of these with an arylene group, and connects the monomer unit and the site Q that promotes uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-alignment copolymer.

[0059] When the above L 2 is a single bond, the site Q that promotes uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-alignment copolymer is directly bonded to the monomer unit Z 2 . Specific examples of the divalent linking group include -O-, -S-, -COO-, -COS-, -CO-, -OCO-, -C6H4-, -C6H4O-, -OC6H4O-, -OCOC6H4O-, -COOC6H4O-, etc. Here, -C6H4- represents a phenylene group.

[0060] In the above formula (2), (i) in Q is -(O) b -Si(E)3 [where E is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, an aryl group, a linear or branched alkoxy group, -(O) b’ -Si(E’)3, or -{O-Si(E”)2-} adenotes "E", and E' and E" each independently denote a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, an aryl group, or a linear or branched alkoxy group; a denotes a number from 1 to 10; b and b' each independently denote 0 or 1, and when b and b' are each independently 0, it represents a single bond.], a linear or branched alkyl group substituted with, or -Si(E)3 (where E is the same as above), representing a group having a total carbon number of 3 or more and 18 or less. (i) in Q is a silicon atom-containing group, and the total carbon number may be 3 or more and may be 13 or less. Examples of the halogen atom include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, etc. Examples of the linear or branched alkyl group include a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an i-propyl group, an n-butyl group, an s-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, an n-pentyl group, an n-octyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, an n-nonyl group, an n-decyl group, an n-undecyl group, an n-dodecyl group, an n-tridecyl group, an n-tetradecyl group, an n-pentadecyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, etc. Examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group, a 4-methylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl group, a naphthyl group, etc. Examples of the linear or branched alkoxy group include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, an n-propoxy group, an i-propoxy group, an n-butoxy group, an s-butoxy group, a t-butoxy group, an n-pentoxy group, etc. -(O) b’ -Si(E’)3, or -{O-Si(E”)2-} a In E”, E’ and E” each independently denote a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, an aryl group, or a linear or branched alkoxy group, and examples of the halogen atom, linear or branched alkyl group, aryl group, and linear or branched alkoxy group may be the same as above. In the silicon atom-containing group in (i), E is a linear or branched alkyl group, a linear or branched alkoxy group, -(O) from the viewpoints of facilitating the uneven distribution of the photo-alignment copolymer, stability, and ease of raw material procurement.b’ -Si(E’)3, or, -{O-Si(E”)2-} a E” may be a linear or branched alkyl group, a linear or branched alkoxy group, or -(O) b’ -Si(E’)3 may be used.

[0061] In the above formula (2), examples of (i) in Q include trialkoxysilylalkyl groups such as trimethoxysilylmethyl group, trimethoxysilylethyl group, trimethoxysilylpropyl group, and triethoxysilylmethyl group; trialkylsilylalkyl groups such as trimethylsilylmethyl group, triethylsilylethyl group, tri(i-propyl)silylbutyl group, and dimethylethylsilylmethyl group; trialkylsilyloxyalkyl groups such as trimethylsilyloxymethyl group, triethylsilyloxyethyl group, tri(i-propyl)silyloxybutyl group, and t-butyldimethylsilyloxybutyl group; dialkoxyalkylsilylalkyl groups such as dimethoxymethylsilylmethyl group, dimethoxymethylsilylethyl group, and dimethoxymethylsilylpropyl group; alkoxydialkylsilylalkyl groups such as methoxydimethylsilylmethyl group and methoxydimethylsilylpropyl group; tris(trialkylsilyl)silylalkyl groups such as tris(trimethylsilyl)silylmethyl group; tris(trialkylsiloxy)silylalkyl groups such as tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylpropyl group; -Si(Me)2-{O-Si(Me)2-} a -n-Bu (where Me is a methyl group, n-Bu is an n-butyl group, and a is 9) substituted n-propyl group such as -Si(E)2-{O-Si(E”)2-} aan alkyl group substituted with “E”; or a trialkoxysilyl group such as a trimethoxysilyl group or a triethoxysilyl group; a trialkylsilyl group such as a trimethylsilyl group, a triethylsilyl group, or a tri(i-propyl)silyl group; a dialkoxyalkylsilyl group such as a dimethoxymethylsilyl group; an alkoxydialkylsilyl group such as a methoxydimethylsilyl group; a tris(trialkylsilyl)silyl group such as a tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl group; a tris(trialkylsiloxy)silyl group such as a tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl group; and the like.

[0062] In the above formula (2), (ii) in Q represents a linear or branched alkyl group containing a fluorine atom and having a total carbon number of 3 or more and 18 or less. (ii) may have a total carbon number of 3 or more, and may also have a total carbon number of 12 or less. The linear or branched alkyl group containing a fluorine atom in (ii) may be a perfluoroalkyl group in which all hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group are substituted with fluorine atoms. From the viewpoint of ease of raw material procurement, it may be a partially fluorinated alkyl group in which a part of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group are substituted with fluorine atoms. The number of fluorine atoms in the alkyl group containing a fluorine atom may be 1 or more, may be 3 or more, and on the other hand, may be 25 or less, and may also be 20 or less. From the viewpoint of facilitating the uneven distribution of the copolymer, the proportion of fluorine atoms in the linear or branched alkyl group containing a fluorine atom may be 30% or more and 90% or less, and may also be 50% or more and 80% or less, based on the total number of hydrogen atoms and fluorine atoms in the linear or branched alkyl group.

[0063] In the above formula (2), as (ii) in Q, for example, -(CH2) p -(CF2) q -CF3 (where p represents 0 or more and 16 or less, q represents 0 or more and 17 or less, and p + q is 2 or more and 17 or less), p is preferably 0 or more and 10 or less, preferably 1 or more and 8 or less, more preferably 2 or more and 4 or less, q is preferably 1 or more and 11 or less, preferably 1 or more and 9 or less, more preferably 2 or more and 7 or less, and it is preferable that p + q is 2 or more and 11 or less.

[0064] In the above formula (2), (iii) in Q represents a linear or branched alkyl group which may have -O- in the carbon chain and has a total carbon number of 4 or more and 18 or less. The total carbon number of (iii) may be 4 or more, and may also be 16 or less. From the viewpoint of facilitating uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-alignment copolymer, the total carbon number of (iii) may be 5 or more. Examples of the linear or branched alkyl group which may have -O- in the carbon chain include an alkoxyalkyl group, an alkoxyalkoxyalkyl group, and a group containing a polyoxyethylene chain or a polyoxypropylene chain.

[0065] In the above formula (2), examples of (iii) in Q include linear or branched alkyl groups such as n-butyl group, s-butyl group, t-butyl group, n-pentyl group, n-hexyl group, n-pentyl group, n-octyl group, n-nonyl group, n-decyl group, n-undecyl group, n-dodecyl group, n-tridecyl group, n-tetradecyl group, n-pentadecyl group, n-hexadecyl group, 2-ethylhexyl group, 2-ethylbutyl group, 1,1-diethylpropyl group, etc.; linear or branched alkoxyalkyl groups such as methoxypropyl group, 3,3-dimethoxypropyl group, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl group, 3,3-dimethylbutoxybutyl group, etc.; linear or branched alkoxyalkoxyalkyl groups such as methoxymethoxypropyl group, methoxyethoxyethyl group, etc.; -(CH2) r -(OCH2CH2) s -OCH3 (where r represents 0 or more and 10 or less, s represents 1 or more and 7 or less, r + s×2 is 3 or more and 17 or less, and may also be 15 or less); -(CH2) t -(CH2C(CH3)H) u -(OCH2C(CH3)H) v -OCH3 (where t represents 0 or more and 10 or less, u represents 0 or more and 4 or less, v represents 1 or more and 5 or less, t + u + v×3 is 4 or more and 17 or less, and may also be 15 or less), and the like.

[0066] The second structural unit of the copolymer may be one type or two or more types. In the synthesis of the copolymer, a monomer having a site Q that promotes the uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-alignment copolymer that induces the second structural unit can be used. Monomers having a site Q that promotes the uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-alignment copolymer can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0067] Examples of the monomer having a site Q that promotes the uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-alignment copolymer include, but are not limited to, the following.

[0068]

Chemical formula

[0069]

Chemical formula

[0070]

Chemical formula

[0071] As the content ratio of the second structural unit in the copolymer, when the amount of the structural unit contained in the whole copolymer is 100 mol%, it can be set within the range of 1 mol% to 50 mol%, preferably within the range of 3 mol% to 20 mol%. If the content ratio of the second structural unit is small, a sufficient effect of promoting the uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-alignment copolymer cannot be obtained, and it may be difficult to maintain good liquid crystal alignment ability. On the other hand, if the content ratio of the second structural unit is large, the content ratio of the photo-alignment structural unit relatively decreases, the sensitivity decreases, and it may be difficult to impart good liquid crystal alignment ability.

[0072] (3) Thermally crosslinkable structural unit The thermally crosslinkable structural unit in the present disclosure is a site that binds to a thermal crosslinking agent by heating. It is preferable that the photo-aligning copolymer contains a thermally crosslinkable structural unit, since the orientation is less likely to be disturbed during the formation of the positive A layer, and the orientation in the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer is likely to be good. It is also preferable that the photo-aligning copolymer contains a thermally crosslinkable structural unit, since it is easy to control the hardness and transferability of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer. The thermally crosslinkable structural unit may be a structural unit having a thermally crosslinkable group. The thermally crosslinkable group may be a group that crosslinks by heating at, for example, 30°C to 250°C, and may be, for example, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, a phenolic hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a glycidyl group, an amino group, an amide group, etc. Among them, from the viewpoint of reactivity, an aliphatic hydroxyl group is preferable, and a primary hydroxyl group is more preferable. The primary hydroxyl group refers to a hydroxyl group in which the carbon atom to which the hydroxyl group is bonded is a primary carbon atom.

[0073] The thermally crosslinkable group may be a self-crosslinkable group capable of crosslinking with the same crosslinking group. Examples of the self-crosslinking group include a hydroxymethyl group, an alkoxymethyl group, a trialkoxysilyl group, and a blocked isocyanate group. When the thermally crosslinkable structural unit has a self-crosslinking group, the thermally crosslinkable structural unit can also function as a thermal crosslinking agent, which is preferable in that the photoalignment performance and solvent resistance are easily improved. When the thermally crosslinkable structural unit has a self-crosslinking group, it is considered that the self-crosslinking group easily reacts with the thermally crosslinkable structural unit in the molecule.

[0074] Among them, it is preferable that the thermally crosslinkable constituent unit contains at least one type selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, and a mercapto group, from the viewpoints of photoalignment performance and solvent resistance. As the thermally crosslinkable constituent unit, it is preferable to contain a constituent unit having at least one type of thermally crosslinkable group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, and a mercapto group, and a constituent unit having at least one type of self-crosslinking group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxymethyl group, an alkoxymethyl group, a trialkoxysilyl group, and a blocked isocyanate group, since this makes it easier to improve the photoalignment performance and solvent resistance.

[0075] In addition, the alkoxymethyl group of the self-crosslinking group preferably has 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkoxy group. Specifically, examples thereof include a methoxymethyl group, an ethoxymethyl group, various propoxymethyl groups, various butoxymethyl groups, various pentoxymethyl groups, and the like. Among them, the alkoxymethyl group more preferably has 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy group, still more preferably has 1 to 2 carbon atoms, and a methoxymethyl group and an ethoxymethyl group are preferable in terms of good crosslinkability.

[0076] Examples of the monomer unit constituting the thermally crosslinkable structural unit include acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, styrene, acrylamide, methacrylamide, maleimide, vinyl ether, vinyl ester, and the like. As the thermally crosslinkable structural unit, when the thermally crosslinkable group is a carboxy group, it may be a structural unit derived from acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and when the thermally crosslinkable group is a hydroxy group, it may be a structural unit derived from vinyl alcohol.

[0077] Examples of the thermally crosslinkable structural unit include the structural unit represented by the following formula (3).

[0078]

Chemical formula

[0079]

Chemical formula

[0080] In addition, Z 3 when it is at least one selected from the group consisting of formula (3-2), -L 3 -Y may be bonded to any of the ortho, meta, and para positions, but -L 3 -Y being bonded to the para position is preferable from the viewpoint of excellent reactivity in thermal crosslinking.)

[0081] As the monomer unit constituting the thermally crosslinkable structural unit, at least one selected from the group consisting of formula (3-1) and (3-2) is preferable from the viewpoint of easy availability of raw materials.)

[0082] In the above formula (3), the thermally crosslinkable group of Y may be the same as described above and may be a self-crosslinkable group.) In the above formula (3), the thermally crosslinkable group of Y may be at least one thermally crosslinkable group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, a mercapto group, a glycidyl group, an amino group, an amide group, a hydroxymethyl group, an alkoxymethyl group, a trialkoxysilyl group, a blocked isocyanate group, and an alkoxy group substituted for a methyl group, and may be at least one thermally crosslinkable group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy group, a carboxy group, a mercapto group, a glycidyl group, an amino group, and an amide group. The hydroxymethyl group and alkoxymethyl group which are self-crosslinking groups may be those in which a hydroxy group or an alkoxy group is substituted for the methylene group in R 50 to form a hydroxymethyl group or an alkoxymethyl group.) Among the thermally crosslinkable groups of Y, from the viewpoint of reactivity, it is preferable to contain an aliphatic hydroxy group, and more preferably to contain a primary hydroxy group.)

[0083] In the above formula (3), L 3 represents a single bond, -O-, -S-, -COO-, -COS-, -CO-, or -OCO-. Note that when L 3 is a single bond, the thermally crosslinkable group Y is directly bonded to the monomer unit Z 3 . R 50 is a linear alkylene group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms which may have -O- in the carbon chain, but -(CH2) j - or -(C2H4O) k -C2H4- (where j is 1 to 11 and k is 1 to 4) is preferable, j is preferably 2 to 11 and k is preferably 1 to 4, and j is preferably 4 to 11 and k is preferably 2 to 4. If j and k are too small, the distance between the thermally crosslinkable group and the main skeleton of the copolymer in the thermally crosslinkable structural unit becomes short, so it becomes difficult for the thermally crosslinking agent to bind to the thermally crosslinkable group, and the reactivity between the thermally crosslinkable structural unit and the thermally crosslinking agent may decrease. On the other hand, if j and k are too large, the chain length of the linking group in the thermally crosslinkable structural unit becomes long, so the terminal thermally crosslinkable group is less likely to come to the surface, it becomes difficult for the thermally crosslinking agent to bind to the thermally crosslinkable group, and the reactivity between the thermally crosslinkable structural unit and the thermally crosslinking agent may decrease.

[0084] The thermally crosslinkable structural unit of the copolymer may be one kind or two or more kinds. For the synthesis of the copolymer, a monomer having a thermally crosslinkable group that induces the above thermally crosslinkable structural unit can be used. Monomers having a thermally crosslinkable group can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0085] Examples of the monomer having a thermally crosslinkable group include, but are not limited to, the following. Examples of the acrylic ester compound and the methacrylic ester compound include monomers having a hydroxy group and an acrylic group or a methacrylic group, such as 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl acrylate, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate, diethylene glycol monoacrylate, diethylene glycol monomethacrylate, triethylene glycol monoacrylate, tetraethylene glycol monoacrylate, dipropylene glycol monoacrylate, tripropylene glycol monoacrylate, tetrapropylene glycol monoacrylate, and the like. Examples of the styrene compound include monomers having a hydroxy group and a styrene group, such as an esterified product of 4-vinylbenzoic acid and a diol, an esterified product of 4-vinylbenzoic acid and diethylene glycol, an etherified product of hydroxystyrene and a diol, and an etherified product of hydroxystyrene and diethylene glycol. In addition, as the monomer forming the thermally crosslinkable structural unit, specifically, for example, the monomers described in paragraphs 0075 to 0079 of Japanese Patent No. 5626493 can be used. Further, the monomers in which the hydroxy group exemplified above is substituted with a carboxy group or a glycidyl group may also be used.

[0086] Among the monomers having a thermally crosslinkable group, examples of the monomer having a self-crosslinking group include acrylamide compounds or methacrylamide compounds substituted with a hydroxymethyl group or an alkoxymethyl group such as N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, N-hydroxymethylmethacrylamide, N-methoxymethylacrylamide, N-methoxymethylmethacrylamide, N-ethoxymethylacrylamide, N-ethoxymethylmethacrylamide, N-butoxymethylacrylamide, and N-butoxymethylmethacrylamide; monomers having a trialkoxysilyl group such as 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl acrylate, 3-triethoxysilylpropyl acrylate, 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate, and 3-triethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate; monomers having a blocked isocyanate group such as 2-(0-(1'-methylpropylideneamino)carboxyamino)ethyl methacrylate and 2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)carbonylaminoethyl methacrylate.

[0087] Regarding the content ratio of the thermally crosslinkable structural unit in the copolymer, when the amount of the structural unit contained in the entire copolymer is 100 mol%, it can be set within the range of 0 mol% to 90 mol%, preferably within the range of 5 mol% to 90 mol%, more preferably within the range of 20 mol% to 80 mol%. If the content ratio of the thermally crosslinkable structural unit is small, sufficient thermosetting properties cannot be obtained, and it may be difficult to maintain good liquid crystal alignment ability. On the other hand, if the content ratio of the thermally crosslinkable structural unit is large, the content ratio of the photoaligning structural unit relatively decreases, the sensitivity decreases, and it may be difficult to impart good liquid crystal alignment ability.

[0088] (4) Other structural units In the present disclosure, the photoaligning copolymer may have other structural units that do not fall under any of these, in addition to the photoaligning structural unit, the second structural unit that promotes the uneven distribution on the surface of the photoaligning copolymer, and the thermally crosslinkable structural unit. By including other structural units in the copolymer, for example, the solvent solubility, heat resistance, reactivity, etc. can be enhanced.

[0089] Examples of monomer units that constitute other structural units include acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, maleimides, acrylamides, acrylonitriles, maleic anhydrides, styrenes, vinyls, and the like. Among them, acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, and styrenes are preferable, similar to the thermally crosslinkable structural units.

[0090] Examples of monomers that form such other structural units include acrylic ester compounds, methacrylic ester compounds, maleimide compounds, acrylamide compounds, acrylonitriles, maleic anhydrides, styrene compounds, vinyl compounds, and the like. Specifically, for example, among the monomers described in paragraphs 0036 to 0040 of International Publication No. 2010 / 150748, monomers that do not have either the photo-aligning group or the thermally crosslinkable group and do not correspond to the monomers that induce the second structural unit may be used.

[0091] The other structural units in the photo-aligning copolymer may be one kind or two or more kinds.

[0092] When the amount of the structural units contained in the entire copolymer is taken as 100 mol%, the content ratio of the above other structural units in the copolymer may be in the range of 0 mol% to 50 mol%, or may be in the range of 0 mol% to 30 mol%. When the content ratio of the above structural units is large, the content ratios of the photo-aligning structural units, the second structural unit, and the thermally crosslinkable structural units relatively decrease, the sensitivity decreases, it becomes difficult to impart good liquid crystal alignment ability, and sufficient thermosetting properties cannot be obtained, and it may become difficult to maintain good liquid crystal alignment ability.

[0093] (5) Photo-aligning copolymer The weight average molecular weight of the photo-aligning copolymer is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, on the order of 3,000 to 200,000, preferably in the range of 4,000 to 100,000. If the weight average molecular weight is too large, the solubility in the solvent may decrease or the viscosity may increase, resulting in a decrease in handleability and difficulty in forming a uniform film. On the other hand, if the weight average molecular weight is too small, insufficient curing may occur during thermosetting, leading to a decrease in solvent resistance and heat resistance. Note that the weight average molecular weight in the present disclosure is a polystyrene conversion value measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

[0094] As a method for synthesizing the photo-aligning copolymer, there is a method of copolymerizing a monomer having a photo-aligning group, a monomer for inducing a second structural unit, and, if necessary, a monomer having a thermally crosslinkable group by a conventionally known production method. The photo-aligning copolymer may be used in the form of a solution when synthesizing the copolymer, or in the form of a powder, or in the form of a solution obtained by redissolving the purified powder in a solvent described later.

[0095] The above photo-aligning copolymer may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of exhibiting an aligning ability with respect to the directly adjacent liquid crystal component, the content ratio of the above photo-aligning copolymer may be 1 part by mass or more, 5 parts by mass or more, 10 parts by mass or more, 50 parts by mass or less, 30 parts by mass or less, or 20 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. Since the above photo-aligning copolymer has a second structural unit that promotes uneven distribution on the surface of the photo-aligning copolymer when mixed with an ultraviolet absorber, in the composition for an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer, even if the content ratio of the above photo-aligning copolymer is small, by unevenly distributing on the surface of the alignment layer and the ultraviolet absorption layer, it is possible to exhibit an aligning ability with respect to the directly contacting liquid crystal component. As a result, in the composition for an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer, it becomes possible to relatively increase the content ratio of the ultraviolet absorber and the thermal crosslinking agent, realizing a sufficient ultraviolet absorption function with one layer, enabling thinning, and obtaining a coating film having good mechanical strength.

[0096] As the photo-aligning component, one kind may be used alone, or two or more kinds may be used in combination. As the photo-aligning component, for example, in addition to the above photo-aligning copolymer, a compound containing a photo-aligning group may be used, or a compound having a photo-aligning group and a thermally crosslinkable group may be used. In the alignment layer and the ultraviolet absorption layer, from the viewpoint of exhibiting an aligning ability with respect to the directly contacting liquid crystal component, realizing a predetermined ultraviolet absorption ability, and improving the mechanical strength, the content ratio of the photo-aligning component may be 1 part by mass or more, 5 parts by mass or more, 10 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the composition for an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer, while it may be 30 parts by mass or less, 25 parts by mass or less, 20 parts by mass or less.

[0097] 1-2. Ultraviolet Absorber The ultraviolet absorber used in the present disclosure may have a lower limit of the maximum absorption wavelength of 350 nm or more, may be 365 nm or more, may have an upper limit of the maximum absorption wavelength of 405 nm or less, may be 403 nm or less. That is, in the present disclosure, the ultraviolet absorber includes those having a maximum absorption wavelength in the short wavelength region of visible light.

[0098] Examples of the structure having ultraviolet absorption performance include benzophenone structure, benzotriazole structure, triazine structure, benzoxazinone structure, anthracene structure, indole structure, methine structure, cyanoacrylate structure, and salicylic acid ester structure. Among these, a compound having at least one structure selected from the group consisting of benzotriazole structure, benzophenone structure, and triazine structure is preferable because it is easy to suppress the loss of the ultraviolet absorber due to thermal decomposition or volatilization.

[0099] Examples of the compound having a benzotriazole structure include 2-(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-5-tert-octylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methacryloyloxyethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole, (2-hydroxy-3-dodecyl-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-6-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol, and the like. Examples of the compound having a benzophenone structure include 2,2-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-n-octyloxybenzophenone, 2,2-dihydroxy-4,4-dimethoxybenzophenone, 2,2-dihydroxy-4,4-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, and the like. Examples of the compound having a triazine structure include 2-[4-[(2-hydroxy-3-(2'-ethyl)hexyl)oxy]-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-[1-octyloxycarbonylethoxy]phenyl)-4,6-bis(4-phenylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[4-[(2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropyl)oxy]-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(2-hydroxy-4-butyloxyphenyl)-6-(2,4-bis-butyloxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, and the like.

[0100] The ultraviolet absorber preferably has a thermally crosslinkable group capable of reacting with the thermally crosslinking agent described below. The thermally crosslinkable group may be the same as those described in the photo-alignment copolymer. As in the specific examples of the ultraviolet absorber, since the ultraviolet absorber usually contains a hydroxy group, it may not have another thermally crosslinkable group different from the hydroxy group.

[0101] As the ultraviolet absorber, a polymer material may be used. When using an ultraviolet-absorbing polymer polymerized at the time of adding to the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet-absorbing layer, it is easy to exhibit the liquid crystal alignment ability and easy to improve the mechanical strength. Also, when using an ultraviolet-absorbing polymer polymerized at the time of adding to the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet-absorbing layer, it is easy to suppress the retardation fluctuation of the positive A layer under humid heat conditions, and the adhesion and humid heat adhesion to the positive A layer are easy to improve. In the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet-absorbing layer, when using an ultraviolet-absorbing polymer, the bleed-out of the ultraviolet absorber to the directly contacting positive A layer is suppressed, and the alignment layer and ultraviolet-absorbing layer function as a good protective layer against the humid heat test, thereby making it easy to suppress the retardation fluctuation of the positive A layer under humid heat conditions, and it is presumed that the adhesion and humid heat adhesion to the positive A layer are easy to improve.

[0102] As the ultraviolet-absorbing polymer, a polymer containing monomer units having a structure with ultraviolet-absorbing performance is preferably mentioned. As the structure having ultraviolet-absorbing performance in the ultraviolet-absorbing polymer, it may be the same as the structure having the ultraviolet-absorbing performance. Examples of the monomer units include acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, maleimides, acrylamides, acrylonitriles, maleic anhydrides, styrenes, vinyls, etc. Among them, like the photo-alignment copolymer, acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, and styrenes are preferred, and acrylic esters and methacrylic esters are more preferred.

[0103] The polymer containing monomer units having a structure with ultraviolet-absorbing performance can be polymerized using a monomer containing the structure with the ultraviolet-absorbing performance. Examples of the monomer containing the structure with the ultraviolet-absorbing performance include compounds having a substituent containing a polymerizable functional group such as an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, or a vinyl group in a compound having the structure with the ultraviolet-absorbing performance, such as 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methacryloyloxyethylphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole and 2-[2-(6-hydroxybenzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2H-benzotriazol-5-yl]ethyl methacrylate. The substituent containing a polymerizable functional group such as an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, or a vinyl group may be a linear or branched alkyl group substituted with an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, or a vinyl group. As the monomer containing the structure with the ultraviolet-absorbing performance, commercially available products may be used, and for example, RUVA-93 (manufactured by Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd.) can be mentioned.

[0104] The ultraviolet-absorbing polymer may contain monomer units having a thermally crosslinkable group in addition to monomer units having a structure with ultraviolet-absorbing performance. When the ultraviolet-absorbing polymer contains monomer units having a thermally crosslinkable group in addition to monomer units having a structure with ultraviolet-absorbing performance, it becomes easier to adjust the hardness of the alignment layer-cum-ultraviolet-absorbing layer, and it is easy to adjust heat resistance, heat and humidity resistance, solvent resistance, liquid crystal alignment ability, transferability, bending resistance, etc. The monomer unit having a thermally crosslinkable group may be the same as the thermally crosslinkable structural unit of the photo-aligning copolymer. By copolymerizing a monomer having a structure with ultraviolet-absorbing performance with a monomer having a thermally crosslinkable group using the monomer having a thermally crosslinkable group described in the photo-aligning copolymer, an ultraviolet-absorbing polymer containing a monomer unit having a thermally crosslinkable group can be obtained. Among them, among the monomers having a thermally crosslinkable group described in the photo-aligning copolymer, monomers having a hydroxy group and an acrylic group or a methacrylic group, monomers having a hydroxy group and a styryl group, etc. are preferably used.

[0105] The ultraviolet-absorbing polymer may further have other monomer units. Examples of other monomer units that the ultraviolet-absorbing polymer may have include the same ones as the other structural units in the photo-aligning copolymer. For example, acrylic acid esters or methacrylic acid esters such as methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, propyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, etc. may be further used as monomers and copolymerized with a monomer containing the structure with ultraviolet-absorbing performance.

[0106] Also, the ultraviolet-absorbing polymer may have a polymerizable functional group such as an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, or a vinyl group in its side chain as another structural unit. Introduction of the polymerizable functional group into the side chain can be carried out, for example, by reacting a compound having a polymerizable functional group and an isocyanate group with the thermally crosslinkable group contained in the ultraviolet-absorbing polymer.

[0107] The content of the monomer unit having an ultraviolet absorption structure may be 10% to 80% by mass, or may be 30% to 70% by mass, based on the total mass of the polymer containing the monomer unit having an ultraviolet absorption structure.

[0108] The content of the monomer unit having a thermally crosslinkable group may be 10% to 80% by mass, or may be 20% to 70% by mass, based on the total mass of the polymer containing the monomer unit having an ultraviolet absorption structure. Also, the content of other monomer units may be 0% to 80% by mass, or may be 0% to 50% by mass, based on the total mass of the polymer containing the monomer unit having an ultraviolet absorption structure.

[0109] As a method for synthesizing the ultraviolet absorption polymer, there may be mentioned a method of polymerizing or copolymerizing a monomer containing a structure having the ultraviolet absorption performance, a monomer having a thermally crosslinkable group as required, and other monomers by a conventionally known production method.

[0110] The mass average molecular weight of the ultraviolet absorption polymer may be 5,000 to 200,000, may be 7,000 to 150,000, or may be 10,000 to 100,000, from the viewpoints of heat and humidity resistance and the tendency of the photo-alignment copolymer to be unevenly distributed on the surface.

[0111] As the polymer having an ultraviolet absorption structure, commercially available products may be used. Examples of commercially available products include Tinuvin (registered trademark) 99-DW, 400-DW, 477-DW, 479-DW (all manufactured by BASF), Newcoat (registered trademark) UVA-204W, UVA-101, UVA-102, UVA-103, UVA-104, Vanarezine (registered trademark) UVA-5080, UVA-5080 (OHV20), UVA-55T, UVA-55MHB, UVA-7075, UVA-7075 (OHV20), UVA-73T (all manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.), ULS-935LH (manufactured by Lion Specialty Chemical Co., Ltd.), and the like.

[0112] The ultraviolet absorbent may be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer, in order to realize a predetermined ultraviolet absorbing ability while exerting alignment ability on the liquid crystal component directly in contact therewith, the content ratio of the ultraviolet absorbent may be 30 parts by mass or more, or 50 parts by mass or more, or may be 95 parts by mass or less, 90 parts by mass or less, or may be 80 parts by mass or less, based on 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer composition. In order to improve bending resistance, the content ratio of the ultraviolet absorbent may be 65 parts by mass or more based on 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer composition. In the present disclosure, when the photo-aligning copolymer capable of being unevenly distributed on the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer is used in combination with an ultraviolet absorber, the photo-aligning copolymer can exert an alignment ability on the liquid crystal component directly in contact with it even if the amount of the photo-aligning copolymer is small. Therefore, it is possible to relatively increase the content of the ultraviolet absorber in the composition for the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer, and it is possible to realize a sufficient ultraviolet absorbing function with one layer and to make the film thin.

[0113] 1-3. Thermal crosslinking agent When the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer is a cured product of a thermosetting composition containing a photoalignment component, an ultraviolet absorbing agent, and a thermal crosslinking agent, the thermal crosslinking agent is used in the formation of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer. The thermal crosslinking agent may be a thermal crosslinking agent that bonds with the thermal crosslinking group. The thermal crosslinking agent can increase the hardness of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer, increase the solvent resistance, and suppress the penetration of the liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer by binding with the thermal crosslinking group of at least one of the photoalignment copolymer and the ultraviolet absorbing agent. This makes it difficult for the liquid crystal alignment ability of the photoalignment component present on the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer to be disturbed, thereby improving the alignment. Furthermore, the heat resistance and transferability, mechanical strength, and bending resistance can be adjusted by thermal crosslinking. In addition, the thermal crosslinking agent can also be bound to a compound having a thermal crosslinking group that may be optionally contained, thereby improving the durability of the cured film and contributing to the improvement of each function.

[0114] As the thermosetting agent, a compound that binds to the thermosetting group is selected and used. Examples of such thermosetting agents include compounds having a crosslinkable group capable of reacting with the thermosetting group. Examples of the crosslinkable group possessed by the thermosetting agent include an epoxy group, a methylol group, an isocyanate group, a blocked isocyanate group, a carboxyl group, a protected carboxyl group, a maleimide group, and the like. It is preferable that the thermosetting agent has two or more crosslinkable groups, and it is preferably 2 to 6. Examples of the thermosetting agent include epoxy compounds, methylol compounds, isocyanate compounds, etc. Among them, methylol compounds are preferable in terms of the stability of the thermosetting composition (coating solution) and the availability of mild curing conditions. Specific examples of the methylol compound include compounds such as alkoxymethylated glycoluril, alkoxymethylated benzoguanamine, and alkoxymethylated melamine. Specific examples of other thermosetting agents include, for example, the thermosetting agents described in paragraphs 0144 to 0148 of WO 2022 / 158555.

[0115] These thermosetting agents can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the present disclosure, from the viewpoint of improving the liquid crystal alignment ability by imparting solvent resistance through a sufficient curing reaction, the content of the above thermosetting agent may be 0.1 part by mass to 40 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. Among them, from the viewpoints of controlling various durability and alignment properties of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, controlling the formation of the penetration region, and improving the storage stability, it may be 0.5 part by mass or more, and may be 1 part by mass or more. On the other hand, it may be 35 parts by mass or less, and may be 30 parts by mass or less. The content ratio of the above thermosetting agent may be 8 parts by mass or more with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer from the viewpoint of improving the bending resistance.

[0116] The structures derived from the photoalignment component, the ultraviolet absorber, and the thermosetting agent contained in the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer can be analyzed by applying methods such as NMR, IR, GC-MS, XPS, TOF-SIMS, and combinations thereof. For example, materials can be sampled from the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, and the chemical structures of the photoalignment component, the ultraviolet absorber, and the thermosetting agent can be analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Further, by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), fragment ions derived from, for example, a photoalignment group or fragment ions derived from an ultraviolet absorber can be detected. Furthermore, by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), or Raman spectroscopy, peaks of bonds and functional groups derived from the thermosetting agent or the photoalignment component can be confirmed. The structure of the components contained in the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer can be analyzed by a comprehensive judgment of these analysis results.

[0117] 1-4. Acid or acid generator When the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer is a cured product of the thermosetting composition, the thermosetting composition may contain an acid or an acid generator. The acid or acid generator can accelerate the thermosetting reaction of the thermosetting composition.

[0118] The acid or acid generator is not particularly limited as long as it is a sulfonic acid group-containing compound, hydrochloric acid or a salt thereof, and a compound that generates an acid by thermal decomposition during drying and heat curing of the coating film, that is, a compound that generates an acid by thermal decomposition at a temperature of 50°C to 250°C. Specifically, those described in paragraph 0054 of International Publication No. 2010 / 150748 can be used.

[0119] The content of the acid or acid generator in the composition for an alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer of the present disclosure may be 0.01 part by mass to 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the composition for an alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. Among them, from the viewpoints of liquid crystal alignment ability and storage stability, it may be 0.05 part by mass to 10 parts by mass, or may be 0.05 part by mass to 5 parts by mass. In addition, the content ratio of the acid or acid generator in the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber of the present disclosure may be 0.05 parts by mass to 20 parts by mass with respect to a total of 100 parts by mass of the above-described photoalignment component, ultraviolet absorber, and thermal crosslinking agent. Among them, from the viewpoints of liquid crystal alignment ability and storage stability, it may be 0.1 parts by mass to 15 parts by mass, and may also be 0.1 parts by mass to 10 parts by mass. From the viewpoint of controlling the formation of the penetration region, the lower limit value may be 0.5 parts by mass or more, and the upper limit value may be 5 parts by mass or less.

[0120] 1-5. Other Components The composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber used for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber may contain other components. The other components can be appropriately selected and used as long as the effects of the present disclosure are not impaired. Specifically, as the other components, for example, a sensitizer, a leveling agent, an antioxidant, a light stabilizer, a compound having a polymerizable functional group and a thermally crosslinkable group, etc. may be contained. The other components can be appropriately selected from conventionally known additives and are not particularly limited. The other components may be the same as the other components described in paragraphs 0155 to 0173 of International Publication No. 2022 / 158555.

[0121] 1-6. Formation of Alignment Layer and Ultraviolet Absorber The alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber of the present disclosure can be formed, for example, by preparing a composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber (coating solution) obtained by dissolving or diluting the components constituting the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber as described above in a solvent, and coating and drying the composition on a support.

[0122] As the solvent, it may be appropriately selected from conventionally known solvents capable of dissolving or dispersing each component constituting the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer of the present disclosure. Specifically, for example, hydrocarbon solvents such as hexane, cyclohexane, and toluene, ketone solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanone, ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, 1,3-dioxolane, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether (PGME), alkyl halide solvents such as chloroform and dichloromethane, ester solvents such as ethyl acetate and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, amide solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N-methylpyrrolidone, and sulfoxide solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, and alcohol solvents such as methanol, ethanol, and propanol, etc. can be mentioned. In the present embodiment, the solvent can be used alone or in combination of two or more as a mixed solvent.

[0123] In the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer of the present disclosure, the content of the solvent is not particularly limited as long as each component is uniformly dissolved in the solvent, and may be 50% by mass to 99% by mass, may be 60% by mass to 95% by mass, or may be 70% by mass to 90% by mass in the composition containing the solvent. Within the above range, it becomes easier to form a uniform film. Note that the solid content refers to the components of the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer excluding the solvent.

[0124] As the support here, it may be on the base material described later, or may be on the functional layer of the base material provided with a functional layer. The coating method may be any method that can form a film with a desired thickness accurately, and can be appropriately selected.

[0125] In the process of applying the composition for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer onto the support and removing the solvent, heating may be performed. By using a photo-alignment copolymer containing a second structural unit that promotes uneven distribution on the surface, the photo-alignment copolymer can be unevenly distributed on the surface and dried by heat treatment, and the state in which the photo-alignment copolymer is unevenly distributed on the surface can be fixed. Since the heating temperature varies depending on each substance in the composition, it is necessary to appropriately adjust it. For example, it may be carried out within the range of 60°C to 200°C, and more preferably within the range of 80°C to 150°C. The heating time can also be appropriately adjusted. For example, it may be carried out within the range of 20 seconds to 30 minutes, and more preferably within the range of 30 seconds to 10 minutes. As the heating means, for example, known heating and drying means such as a hot plate or an oven can be appropriately selected and used.

[0126] When the composition for the alignment layer and the ultraviolet absorption layer has thermosetting properties, in order to unevenly distribute the photo-alignment copolymer on the surface, maintain the uneven distribution, and improve the alignment property (liquid crystal alignment ability), after the photo-alignment copolymer is unevenly distributed on the surface, it is preferable to control the heating temperature, the curing reaction rate by adjusting the amount of the thermo-crosslinking agent and the acid, and the solvent removal rate by selecting the solvent so that the curing reaction is completed and the solvent is removed. For example, by using a high-boiling solvent, drying conditions at a low temperature, and reducing the amounts of the thermo-crosslinking agent and the acid catalyst, the solvent volatilization rate and the curing reaction rate can be reduced, and relatively, the rate at which the photo-alignment copolymer is unevenly distributed on the surface can be increased. Also, by performing temperature control in two or more steps, uneven distribution is maintained while the alignment property is improved by unevenly distributing on the surface while suppressing immobilization by curing by heating at a low temperature in the first step and then advancing the curing reaction by heating at a high temperature in the second step.

[0127] It is preferable to impart liquid crystal alignment ability to the cured film by further irradiating the cured film having the retardation thus obtained with polarized ultraviolet light for the alignment layer and the ultraviolet absorption layer of the present disclosure. By irradiating the obtained cured film with polarized ultraviolet light, for example, the photo-alignment groups of the photo-alignment components such as the photo-alignment copolymer can cause a photoreaction to exhibit anisotropy. The wavelength of the polarized ultraviolet light is usually within the range of 150 nm to 450 nm. Also, the irradiation direction of the polarized ultraviolet light can be perpendicular or oblique to the substrate surface. In this way, an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer having a liquid crystal alignment ability for aligning the liquid crystal components of the positive A layer can be formed.

[0128] 1-7. Structure of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer The alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer of the present disclosure may be a cured film containing an ultraviolet absorber and in a state where the photoalignment groups of the photoalignment components present on the surface have a photodimerized structure or a photo-isomerized structure. When the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer of the present disclosure contains a thermal crosslinking agent, it may be a structure in which one layer contains an ultraviolet absorber, a photodimerized structure or a photo-isomerized structure of a photoalignment group, and a crosslinked structure formed by the binding of a thermal crosslinking group possessed by the ultraviolet absorber and / or the photoalignment component and the thermal crosslinking agent. Further, the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer may be a structure in which one layer contains an ultraviolet absorption polymer having a crosslinked structure formed by binding with a thermal crosslinking agent, and a copolymer having a photodimerized structure or a photo-isomerized structure of a photoalignment group possessed by a photoalignment structural unit and a crosslinked structure formed by the binding of a thermal crosslinking group possessed by a thermal crosslinking structural unit and the thermal crosslinking agent.

[0129] As described above, in the thickness direction of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, the photoalignment component may be relatively more present at the interface on the positive A layer side compared to the surface on the side not in contact with the positive A layer. It is preferable that the surface free energy of the interface on the positive A layer side of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer is smaller than the surface free energy of the surface on the side not in contact with the positive A layer of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. This is because excellent alignment ability on the positive A layer side and excellent ultraviolet absorption ability can be achieved with a thinner film, and more photoalignment components are present on the surface, resulting in excellent liquid crystal alignment ability. The difference between the surface free energy of the surface on the side not in contact with the positive A layer of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer and the surface free energy of the interface on the positive A layer side may be 1.0 mN / m or more, and may also be 2.0 mN / m or more. The difference in surface free energy is usually 25 mN / m or less. The measurement of the surface free energy is performed using a double titration contact angle / surface free energy analyzer (manufactured by KRUSS, MSA). The contact angles of water and diiodomethane on the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer are measured, and the contact angles are calculated by the ellipse fitting method. As the measurement conditions, the dropping amounts of water and diiodomethane are each 1 μL, and the contact angles are measured 2 seconds after dropping. Using the contact angles calculated by the ellipse fitting method, the surface free energy is calculated by the OWRK (Owens-Wendt-Rable-Kaelble) method. Note that for the surface tensions, dispersion components, and polar components of water and diiodomethane, refer to the following values. Water: surface tension 72.8 mN / m (dispersion component 21.8 mN / m + polar component 51.0 mN / m) Diiodomethane: surface tension 50.8 mN / m (dispersion component 50.8 mN / m + polar component 0 mN / m)

[0130] Among them, when the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer is analyzed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), it is preferable to satisfy the following formula (A) because a larger amount of photo-aligning component is present on the surface, resulting in excellent liquid crystal alignment ability. When the following formula (A) is satisfied, it is easier to achieve both excellent alignment ability on the positive A layer side and excellent ultraviolet absorption ability with a thinner film. Formula (A): I AU > 1.3 × I SU (In formula (A), I AU represents the secondary ion intensity derived from the photo-aligning component detected at a position 100 nm in the thickness direction from the interface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer on the positive A layer side. I SU represents the secondary ion intensity derived from the photo-aligning component detected at a position 100 nm in the thickness direction from the side surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer that does not contact the positive A layer.)

[0131] When analyzing the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), it is more preferable to further satisfy the following formula (A-1). Formula (A-1): I AU > 2.0×I SU (In formula (A-1), I AU , and I SU have the same definitions as in formula (A).)

[0132] In the thickness direction of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer, the photodirective component is relatively more present (biased) at the interface on the positive A layer side compared to the surface on the side not in contact with the positive A layer, as confirmed as follows. Perform oblique cutting on the surface of the positive A layer of the optical laminate using a surface / interface cutting test device (SAICAS NN-04 type manufactured by Dipla Wintersteiger). The cutting conditions are as follows. Cutting edge: Made of single crystal diamond Blade width: 1 mm Rake angle of the cutting edge: 20° Clearance angle of the cutting edge: 10° Horizontal speed of the cutting edge: 400 nm / second Vertical speed of the cutting edge: 4 nm / second Figure 3 is a schematic diagram when creating a sample by cutting obliquely from the surface of the positive A layer 2 to the surface on the side not in contact with the positive A layer (interface with the substrate 4) of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer 1 in the optical laminate of the present disclosure. Specifically, the cutting edge is moved in the film thickness direction (vertical direction) from the surface of the optical laminate (surface of the positive A layer 2) at the rake angle at a vertical speed of 4 nm / second for cutting 5. Then, when the cutting edge reaches (cuts 5) the surface on the side not in contact with the positive A layer (interface with the substrate 4) of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer 1, the vertical speed is set to 0 μm / min, and the cutting edge is moved only in the direction parallel to the film surface (horizontal direction) for cutting 5 (see Figure 3).

[0133] Next, the oblique cut cross section obtained above is subjected to TOF-SIMS measurement. The secondary ion intensity I derived from the alignment component detected by TOF-SIMS at a position 100 nm from the interface on the positive A layer side of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer in the thickness direction is AU and a secondary ion intensity I derived from the alignment component detected at a position 100 nm from the surface (interface with the substrate) of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer that is not in contact with the positive A layer in the thickness direction. SU We ask for: In addition, AU and I SU The TOF-SIMS measurement conditions for determining are as follows: Primary ion: Bi3 ++ Acceleration voltage: 25 kV Primary ion current value: 0.2pA Measurement area: 300μm×300μm (using a neutralizing gun for charge correction) Number of scans: 64 scans Obtained I AU and I SU By comparing, I SU AU If the above formula is satisfied, it can be said that the photoalignment component is present (localized) in a relatively larger amount at the interface on the positive A layer side compared to the surface not in contact with the positive A layer.

[0134] In addition, in the optical laminate of the present disclosure, it is preferable to adjust the composite elastic modulus of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer in order to obtain an optical laminate with good bending resistance. The composite elastic modulus of the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer that is not in contact with the positive A layer may be 4.0 GPa or more and 8.0 GPa or less, the lower limit may be 4.5 GPa or more, and the upper limit may be 7.5 GPa or less, 7.0 GPa or less, or 6.5 GPa or less. When the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer is a cured product of a thermosetting composition, the composite elastic modulus can be easily adjusted. The composite elastic modulus of the alignment layer / UV absorbing layer is the indentation hardness (H IT ​The contact projected area A required when measuring p is used to calculate Er from the following formula (1). The "indentation hardness" is a value obtained from the load-displacement curve from the load to unloading of the indenter in the hardness measurement by the nanoindentation method. The complex elastic modulus of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer is the elastic modulus including the elastic deformation of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer and the elastic deformation of the indenter.

[0135]

Equation

[0136] Note that the complex elastic modulus of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer is measured on the surface on the opposite side of the interface with the positive A layer of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer. Specifically, the complex elastic modulus of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer is obtained as follows. A cyanoacrylate-based instant adhesive is dropped onto the glass, and the alignment layer and UV absorption layer and the positive A layer are transferred so that the film thickness of the adhesive layer becomes 45 μm. The substrate is peeled off, and a measurement sample is prepared by transferring in the order of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer / positive A layer / adhesive-attached glass. Using the measurement sample, the indentation hardness of the surface of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer exposed by peeling off the substrate is measured. The measurement of the indentation hardness (HIT) is performed on the measurement sample using a nanoindenter (TI950 TriboIndenter manufactured by BRUKER). Under the following measurement conditions, a Berkovich indenter (triangular pyramid) (TI-0039 manufactured by BRUKER) is vertically pushed onto the surface of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer over 10 seconds until the maximum pushing load reaches 3 μN. Then, after holding for a certain time to relax the residual stress, it is unloaded over 10 seconds, and the maximum load after relaxation is measured. The maximum load Pmax (μN) and the contact projected area Ap (nm 2Using the above and Pmax / Ap, the indentation hardness (HIT) is calculated. The contact projected area is the contact projected area with the tip curvature of the indenter corrected by the Oliver-Pharr method using fused silica of a standard sample (manufactured by BRUKER, 5-0098). When the measured values include those that deviate from the arithmetic mean value by ±20% or more, those measured values are excluded and remeasurement is performed. (Measurement conditions) · Loading rate: 0.3 μN / second · Holding time: 5 seconds · Unloading rate: 0.3 μN / second · Measurement temperature: 25 °C

[0137] Next, using the contact projected area Ap required when measuring the indentation hardness (HIT) of the obtained alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, the complex elastic modulus Er is obtained from the above formula (1).

[0138] The thickness of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer can be set as appropriate. However, in order to achieve thinning while exhibiting sufficient ultraviolet absorption characteristics and from the viewpoint of bending resistance, among others, it may be 1.5 μm or more, may be 2 μm or more, while on the other hand, it may be 7 μm or less, may be 5 μm or less.

[0139] 2. Positive A layer The positive A layer is a layer that satisfies the relationship Nx > Ny ≒ Nz. The positive A layer preferably contains a liquid crystalline component as a main component. The main component means 50% by mass or more of the total solid content of the positive A layer, preferably 70% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more.

[0140] The liquid crystalline component forming the positive A layer preferably contains a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable functional group in the molecule. By having a polymerizable functional group, it becomes possible to polymerize and fix the liquid crystal compound, so that it has excellent alignment stability and can suppress the change in retardation over time. The coincident liquid crystal compound preferably has two or more polymerizable functional groups in the molecule. By having two or more polymerizable functional groups, the three-dimensional orientation of the liquid crystal compound can be made more stable and the change over time of the retardation can be suppressed.

[0141] Examples of the polymerizable functional group include those that polymerize by the action of ionizing radiation such as ultraviolet rays and electron beams, or heat. Examples of these polymerizable functional groups include radical polymerizable functional groups. Representative examples of the radical polymerizable functional group include functional groups having at least one addition-polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated double bond, and specific examples include vinyl groups, acryloyl groups, methacryloyl groups, acryloyloxy groups, methacryloyloxy groups, etc., with or without substituents. Also, as the polymerizable functional group, generally known cationic polymerizable functional groups may be used. Specifically, alicyclic ether groups (epoxy groups, oxetanyl groups, etc.), cyclic acetal groups, cyclic lactone groups, cyclic imino ether groups, cyclic thioether groups, spiro orthoester groups, vinyloxy groups, etc. can be mentioned. Among these, alicyclic ether groups and vinyloxy groups are preferred, and epoxy groups, oxetanyl groups, and vinyloxy groups are more preferred.

[0142] Also, the liquid crystal compound preferably has a polymerizable functional group at the terminal. By using such a liquid crystal compound, for example, the terminals of the liquid crystal compounds can polymerize with each other to form a three-dimensionally oriented state, so that a positive A layer with stability and excellent optical property expression can be obtained.

[0143] The liquid crystal compound can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In the case of using one kind alone, the one kind of liquid crystal compound is preferably a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. Also, in the case of using two or more in combination, at least one kind is preferably a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and it is more preferred that all are polymerizable liquid crystal compounds.

[0144] For the liquid crystal compound of the positive A layer, a liquid crystal compound that exhibits homogeneous alignment may be used. The liquid crystal compound capable of homogeneous alignment may be a material composed of a liquid crystalline polymer or a material composed of a liquid crystalline monomer. Homogeneous alignment means a state in which the long axes of the molecules of the liquid crystal compound are aligned in the horizontal direction. Further, the positive A layer preferably exhibits a smectic phase. Here, the smectic phase refers to a state in which the molecules aligned in one direction have a phase structure. The liquid crystal compound of the positive A layer may be a liquid crystal monomer from the viewpoint that the solubility and alignment properties of the liquid crystal compound are likely to be good, and its molecular weight may be 250 to 2000.

[0145] Examples of the liquid crystal compound of the positive A layer include a discotic liquid crystal material (discotic liquid crystal material) and a rod-shaped liquid crystal material. As the liquid crystal compound of the positive A layer, general-purpose materials can be used. For example, compounds represented by general formula (I) described in JP-A-2008-297210, compounds represented by general formula (1) described in JP-A-2010-84032, liquid crystal compound A0 described in JP-A-2016-53709, polymerizable liquid crystal compounds described in paragraphs 0057 to 0064 of WO2018 / 003498, etc. can be mentioned. As the liquid crystal compound of the positive A layer, the compounds shown in the following formulas (1) to (19) can also be used.

[0146]

Chemical formula

[0147]

Chemical formula

[0148]

Chemical formula

[0149] In order to form a positive A layer exhibiting inverse dispersibility, a polymerizable liquid crystal compound exhibiting inverse dispersibility may be used. As the polymerizable liquid crystal compound in the positive A layer, specifically, for example, in addition to the polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by the following general formula (1) described in Patent No. 6473537, a liquid crystal compound represented by general formula (II) of International Publication No. WO2017 / 043438, Patent No. 5463666, Patent No. 4186981, Patent No. 5962760, Patent No. 5826759, Patent No. 6568103, Patent No. 6427340, JP-A-2016-166344, and polymerizable liquid crystal compounds described in Recueil des Travaux Chimiques des Pays-Bas (1996), 115(6), 321-328 can be used.

[0150]

Chemical formula

[0151] In addition, examples of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition used for the positive A layer include the compositions described in paragraphs 0133 to 0143 of JP-A-2014-174468 and the compositions described in paragraphs 0083 to 0092 of Patent No. 6739621.

[0152] It is preferable that Re(450), Re(550), and Re(650) of the positive A layer satisfy the relationship of the following formula (B). That is, the positive A layer may have reverse dispersibility. By using a positive A layer having reverse dispersibility that satisfies the relationship of the following formula (B), it is easy to improve visibility and antireflection properties in a wavelength range deviated from 550 nm. Re(450) < Re(550) < Re(650) (B) Re(450), Re(550), and Re(650) of the positive A layer are not particularly limited, but when the positive A layer is a λ / 4 retardation layer, it is preferably in the following range. The positive A layer is preferably a λ / 4 retardation layer. The in-plane retardation of the λ / 4 retardation layer has a lower limit that is preferably 100 nm or more, more preferably 110 nm or more, and still more preferably 135 nm or more. Also, the in-plane retardation of the λ / 4 retardation layer has an upper limit that is preferably 180 nm or less, more preferably 160 nm or less, and still more preferably 150 nm or less. By setting the in-plane retardation of the λ / 4 retardation layer within the above range, when the λ / 4 retardation layer and a polarizer are combined, it is easy to exhibit an antireflection function as a circular polarizing plate.

[0153] The composition for forming the positive A layer may contain a polymerization initiator, a leveling agent, an alignment promoter, etc. in addition to the liquid crystal compound. The composition for forming the positive A layer may be a polymerizable liquid crystal composition.

[0154] The aligned liquid crystal compound is preferably fixed while maintaining the alignment state by a polymerization reaction. The polymerization reaction includes a thermal polymerization reaction using a thermal polymerization initiator and a photopolymerization reaction using a photopolymerization initiator. Among these, the photopolymerization reaction is preferred. Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include α-carbonyl compounds (see the specifications of U.S. Patent Nos. 2367661 and 2367670), acyloin ethers (see the specification of U.S. Patent No. 2448828), α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic acyloin compounds (see the specification of U.S. Patent No. 2722512), polynuclear quinone compounds (see the specifications of U.S. Patent Nos. 3046127 and 2951758), a combination of a triarylimidazole dimer and p-aminophenyl ketone (see the specification of U.S. Patent No. 3549367), acridine and phenazine compounds (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-105667, the specification of U.S. Patent No. 4239850), and oxadiazole compounds (see the specification of U.S. Patent No. 4212970).

[0155] When the content of the polymerization initiator is low, curing failure tends to occur. When the content of the polymerization initiator is high, the alignment property of the liquid crystal compound tends to decrease. Therefore, the amount of the polymerization initiator used is preferably at least 0.01% by mass, more preferably at least 0.5% by mass, and preferably at most 20% by mass, more preferably at most 10% by mass, based on the total solid content of the positive A-layer forming composition.

[0156] Examples of the leveling agent include fluorine-based leveling agents and silicone-based leveling agents, and conventionally known leveling agents can be appropriately selected and used. When the content of the leveling agent is low, sufficient leveling property tends not to be obtained. When the content of the leveling agent is high, problems such as a decrease in defoaming property tend to occur. Therefore, the content of the leveling agent is preferably at least 0.01% by mass, more preferably at least 0.05% by mass, and preferably at most 2.0% by mass, more preferably at most 1.0% by mass, based on the total solid content of the positive A-layer forming composition.

[0157] A solvent may be used in the polymerizable liquid crystal composition used for the positive A-layer. Similar to the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer of the present disclosure, it may be appropriately selected from conventionally known solvents capable of dissolving or dispersing each component constituting the positive A-layer. A solvent in which the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer are difficult to dissolve may be appropriately selected and used so as to make it difficult to form the penetration region. Examples thereof include toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, γ-butyrolactone, and the like. The solid content concentration of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition used for the positive A-layer is not particularly limited, but may be 5% by mass to 50% by mass, may be 7% by mass to 40% by mass, or may be 10% by mass to 30% by mass.

[0158] The positive A-layer can be formed, for example, by applying a polymerizable liquid crystal composition on the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, heating it to the phase transition temperature of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition to align the liquid crystal components, and then irradiating ultraviolet rays on the coating film of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition in which the liquid crystal components are aligned.

[0159] In the step of aligning the liquid crystal component, a conventionally known method may be used for forming a coating film of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition and heating to the phase transition temperature, and there is no particular limitation. For the coating method and the heating method, the same methods as those in the coating method and the heating method in the manufacturing method of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer can be used. Since the heating temperature varies depending on each substance in the composition, it is necessary to adjust it appropriately. For example, it may be carried out within the range of 50°C to 200°C, and more preferably within the range of 70°C to 150°C. The heating time can also be adjusted appropriately, but for example, it may be carried out within the range of 10 seconds to 10 minutes, and more preferably within the range of 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

[0160] In order for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer not to include the region where the liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer penetrates at the interface on the positive A layer side, for example, control of the amount of crosslinking agent and the amount of acid catalyst in the composition for forming the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, and control of the heating temperature, heating time, etc. in the step of forming the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer can be mentioned. Also, when forming the positive A layer, control of the solvent type, solid content concentration of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition for forming the positive A layer, and the heating temperature, time, etc. in the step of forming the positive A layer can be mentioned. For example, by increasing the amount of crosslinking agent and the amount of acid catalyst in the composition for forming the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, the hardness of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer increases, and it becomes difficult to form a penetration region. Also, by increasing the heating temperature and heating time, the penetration region can be controlled to be difficult to form by the same action. Also, by using a solvent type with relatively low solubility, such as toluene or methyl ethyl ketone, for the polymerizable liquid crystal composition for forming the positive A layer, it becomes difficult for the solvent to penetrate into the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, and it becomes difficult to form a penetration region. Also, by increasing the solid content concentration, the amount of the solvent that penetrates decreases, and it becomes difficult to form a penetration region. Further, by increasing the drying temperature and accelerating the evaporation rate of the solvent, it becomes difficult for the solvent to penetrate, and it becomes difficult to form a penetration region. Furthermore, it can be mentioned that by reducing the drying time, the time for the liquid crystal compound in the liquid crystal composition for forming the positive A layer to penetrate is reduced, and it is controlled so that it becomes difficult to form a penetration region.

[0161] In the coating film of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition in which the liquid crystalline component is aligned, by irradiating ultraviolet rays, a polymerization reaction occurs, and the polymerizable groups of the polymerizable liquid crystal compounds contained in the positive A layer are polymerized with each other. Since the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer have the predetermined ultraviolet absorption characteristics, when the coating film of the polymerizable liquid crystal composition in which the liquid crystalline component is aligned is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the ultraviolet absorber contained in a large amount in the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer generates heat. As a result, even in the ultraviolet irradiation step of the positive A layer forming step, the thermosetting of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer is promoted, and a strong coating film with excellent mechanical strength is formed. As the ultraviolet irradiation method, a conventionally known method may be used. For ultraviolet irradiation, ultraviolet rays emitted from light rays such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a high pressure mercury lamp, a low pressure mercury lamp, a carbon arc, a xenon arc, a metal halide lamp, etc. can be used. For example, non-polarized ultraviolet rays containing a 365 nm emission line may be irradiated using a Hg-Xe lamp in a nitrogen atmosphere. The ultraviolet irradiation amount may be appropriately selected, and as the integrated exposure amount at an ultraviolet wavelength of 365 nm, for example, 100 mJ / cm 2 1000 mJ / cm or more 2 It may be within the following range.

[0162] The thickness of the positive A layer has a lower limit that is preferably 0.1 μm or more, more preferably 0.5 μm or more, and even more preferably 1.5 μm or more. Also, the thickness of the positive A layer has an upper limit that is preferably 5.0 μm or less, more preferably 4.0 μm or less, and even more preferably 3.0 μm or less. By setting the thickness of the positive A layer within the above range, the optical laminate can be made thinner, and it is easier to set the in-plane retardation of the λ / 4 retardation layer as the positive A layer within the above range.

[0163] 3. Substrate The optical laminate of the present disclosure may include a substrate 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 2. In the optical laminate, examples of the substrate include a glass substrate, a metal foil, and a resin substrate. Among them, the substrate preferably has transparency and can be appropriately selected from conventionally known transparent substrates. Examples of the transparent substrate include, in addition to a glass substrate, acetyl cellulose-based resins such as triacetyl cellulose, polyester-based resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polylactic acid, olefin-based resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polymethylpentene, acrylic resins, polyurethane-based resins, vinyl chloride-based resins, polyamide-based resins such as nylon and aromatic polyamide, polyimide-based resins, vinylidene chloride-based resins, vinyl alcohol-based resins, vinyl butyral-based resins, and transparent resin substrates formed using resins such as polyethersulfone, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyether, polyether ketone, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, cycloolefin polymer, and cycloolefin copolymer. Among them, in the present embodiment, it is preferable to use a cellulose derivative or polyethylene terephthalate. This is because the cellulose derivative is particularly excellent in optical isotropy, and thus can have excellent optical properties. Also, polyethylene terephthalate is preferable because of its high transparency and excellent mechanical properties.

[0164] The above transparent substrate preferably has a transmittance of 80% or more, more preferably 90% or more in the visible light region. Here, the transmittance of the transparent substrate can be measured by JIS K7361-1 (Test method for total light transmittance of plastics - transparent materials).

[0165] The substrate has a role as a support such as a positive A layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer, for example. However, considering the thinning of the image display device, the substrate is preferably peelable. In other words, the substrate is preferably peelable so as not to remain in the image display device. For example, after laminating a positive A layer and an alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer etc. on other members (for example, polarizers) of the image display device, peeling the peelable substrate can contribute to the thinning of the image display device. Examples of the peelable substrate include the above transparent resin substrate itself, or the one obtained by subjecting the surface of the above transparent resin substrate to a release treatment with a general-purpose release agent etc.

[0166] The thickness of the substrate is not particularly limited as long as it can provide the necessary self-supporting property according to the use etc. of the optical laminate. From the viewpoint of handleability, the lower limit of the thickness of the substrate is preferably 15 μm or more, more preferably 25 μm or more, still more preferably 30 μm or more, and even more preferably 40 μm or more. From the viewpoint of elongation during the production of the optical laminate, the upper limit is preferably 150 μm or less, more preferably 125 μm or less, still more preferably 100 μm or less. When the substrate does not remain in the image display device, the thickness of the substrate is preferably 15 μm or more and 100 μm or less. Also, when the substrate remains in the image display device, the thickness of the substrate is preferably 15 μm or more and 60 μm or less. In particular, when applying the optical laminate to a foldable type image display device, a rollable type image display device etc., considering the balance between flexibility and strength, it is preferable that the thickness of the substrate is within the above range (15 μm or more and 60 μm or less).

[0167] The configuration of the base material used in this embodiment is not limited to a configuration consisting of a single layer, and may have a configuration in which a plurality of layers are laminated. When having a configuration in which a plurality of layers are laminated, layers having the same composition may be laminated, or a plurality of layers having different compositions may be laminated.

[0168] 4. Other Layers The optical laminate may have other layers as long as the effects of the present disclosure are not impaired. Examples of the other layers include a retardation layer different from the positive A layer such as a positive C layer, a positive A layer different from the positive A layer, a gas barrier layer, an adhesive layer, a surface protection layer, an alignment film for other retardation layers, and the like. As these other layers, conventionally known layers can be appropriately selected and used.

[0169] 5. Physical Properties of the Optical Laminate The optical laminate of the present disclosure is an optical laminate including a positive A layer and an alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer directly contacting the positive A layer, wherein the transmittance of the optical laminate at a wavelength of 380 nm is 1.0% or less, and the transmittance at a wavelength of 400 nm is 20.0% or less. The transmittance of the optical laminate at a wavelength of 380 nm may be 0.5% or less, may be 0.3% or less, or may be 0.1% or less from the viewpoints of blocking blue light and suppressing light deterioration of the positive A layer. Also, the transmittance of the optical laminate at a wavelength of 400 nm may be 10.0% or less, may be 5.0% or less, or may be 3.0% or less from the viewpoint of further suppressing light deterioration of display elements such as organic light-emitting elements. The transmittance of the optical laminate is determined by measuring at 1 nm intervals in the range of 250 nm or more and 800 nm or less using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer.

[0170] In the optical laminate of the present disclosure, the in-plane retardation Re at a wavelength of 550 nm of the laminate of the positive A layer and the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer may be 110 nm or more, and the total thickness of the positive A layer and the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer may be 1.6 μm or more and 12.0 μm or less. Also, the in-plane retardation Re at a wavelength of 550 nm may be 120 nm or more, and may further be 135 nm or more. The upper limit of the in-plane retardation Re may be 180 nm or less, may further be 160 nm or less, and may also be 150 nm or less. The total thickness of the positive A layer and the alignment layer / UV absorption layer preferably has a lower limit of 2.5 μm or more, more preferably 3.5 μm or more. Also, the total thickness of the positive A layer and the alignment layer / UV absorption layer preferably has an upper limit of 10.0 μm or less, more preferably 8.0 μm or less, and further preferably 7.0 μm or less from the viewpoint of thinning.

[0171] In the optical laminate of the present disclosure, the positive A layer is directly laminated on the alignment layer / UV absorption layer, enabling thinning. The optical laminate of the present disclosure can be suitably used as an optical member excellent in UV absorption function for various image display devices aiming at thinning. The optical laminate including the positive A layer of the present disclosure is preferably used, for example, as a circular polarizing plate in the form of a combination of a λ / 4 retardation plate and a linear polarizing plate in an organic electroluminescent display device, and is preferably used as an external light reflection preventing film, and is also suitably used as a part of a polarizing plate compensating film in a liquid crystal display device.

[0172] II. Transfer laminate The transfer laminate of the present disclosure includes a support that detachably supports the positive A layer and the alignment layer / UV absorption layer on the alignment layer / UV absorption layer side of the optical laminate of the present disclosure, and is a transfer laminate for use in transferring the positive A layer and the alignment layer / UV absorption layer.

[0173] According to the transfer laminate of the above embodiment, the positive A layer and the alignment layer / UV absorption layer of the optical laminate of the present disclosure, which are thin films not including a substrate, can be transferred to any other optical member or the like. According to the transfer laminate of the present embodiment, for example, an optical laminate 10 that does not include a base material composed of only the positive A layer and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer shown in the example of FIG. 1 can be provided. As long as the positive A layer and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer are at least peelable without including a base material, other layers may be further laminated on the positive A layer and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer used for the transfer of the transfer laminate.

[0174] The layer configuration of the transfer laminate will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the transfer laminate of the present disclosure. One embodiment of the transfer laminate 15 illustrated in FIG. 4 has, on a support 11, an alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1 directly contacting the support, and a positive A layer 2 directly contacting the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1, and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1 does not include a region in which a liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated. In the transfer laminate illustrated in FIG. 4, since the peel strength between the support 11 and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1 is smaller than the peel strength between the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1 and the positive A layer 2, it is an example of a transfer laminate that can be peeled at the interface between the support 11 and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1 to transfer the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1 and the positive A layer 2.

[0175] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described. However, the configurations of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer, the positive A layer, and other layers other than the support can be the same as those in the above-mentioned "I. Optical laminate", so the description here will be omitted.

[0176] The support of the transfer laminate can also be the same as the base material described in the above-mentioned "I. Optical laminate". The alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1 and the positive A layer 2 of the present disclosure are easy to increase the peel strength because they are easy to increase the adhesion, so the peel strength between the support 11 and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1 can be more easily made smaller than the peel strength between the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer 1 and the positive A layer 2. In order to make the peel strength between the support 11 and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer 1 smaller than the peel strength between the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer 1 and the positive A layer 2, for example, a release treatment may be applied to the surface of the support, or a release layer may be formed. This can increase the releasability of the support, and the peel strength between the support and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer can be easily made smaller than the peel strength between the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer and the positive A layer. The release treatment may be, for example, a surface treatment such as a fluorine treatment or a silicone treatment. Examples of materials for the release layer include fluorine-based release agents, silicone-based release agents, wax-based release agents, etc. Examples of methods for forming the release layer include a method of applying a release agent by a coating method such as dip coating, spray coating, or roll coating.

[0177] The substrate used in the transfer laminate may or may not have flexibility, but it is preferable for the substrate to have flexibility since this makes it easier to peel off. The thickness of the substrate used in the transfer laminate is preferably within the range of 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less for sheets of the above materials, in order to balance sufficient self-supporting strength with flexibility that is adaptable to the manufacturing and transfer processes of the transfer laminate of this embodiment.

[0178] The positive A layer and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer that can be provided from the transfer laminate of the present disclosure are suitable for use in the same applications as the optical laminate, can be transferred to optical components for various display devices, and are suitable for use in providing thin-film optical components. The positive A layer and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer that can be provided from the transfer laminate of the present disclosure may be laminated on a polarizer, for example, via an adhesive layer (adhesive layer). The positive A layer and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer that can be provided from the transfer laminate of the present disclosure may be transferred to the polarizer side of a laminate in which a polarizer and a λ / 4 retardation plate are laminated in this order, for example, via an adhesive layer (adhesive layer), or may be transferred to the polarizer side of a laminate in which a polarizer, a λ / 4 retardation plate, and a positive C layer are laminated in this order, for example, via an adhesive layer (adhesive layer).

[0179] III. Polarizing Plate The present disclosure provides a polarizing plate including the optical laminate of the present disclosure and a polarizer. The polarizing plate of the present disclosure may be a polarizing plate including a polarizer and an optical laminate of the present disclosure as a transparent protective plate located on at least one side of the polarizer. The polarizing plate of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the polarizing plate. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the polarizing plate.

[0180] The polarizing plates 30 in FIGS. 5 and 6 have a polarizer 20 and a transparent protective plate (21) located on one side of the polarizer. The transparent protective plate (21) in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the optical laminate 10 of the present disclosure. In FIG. 5, the optical laminate 10 of the present disclosure, which is the transparent protective plate (21), represents an embodiment in which the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 is located on the side farther from the polarizer 20 than the positive A layer 2. In FIG. 6, the optical laminate 10 of the present disclosure, which is the transparent protective plate (21), represents an embodiment in which the positive A layer 2 is located on the side farther from the polarizer 20 than the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1. Thus, in the polarizing plate of the present disclosure, the stacking orientation in which the optical laminate of the present disclosure is arranged as a transparent protective plate with respect to the polarizer is arbitrary and either orientation may be used. In particular, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 where the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 is located on the side farther from the polarizer 20 than the positive A layer 2, by using the polarizing plate with the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer positioned on the viewing side, the positive A layer and the like can be protected from external light ultraviolet rays with a simple configuration, thereby enhancing the light resistance improvement effect of the polarizing plate. Note that in the polarizing plate of the present disclosure, the polarizer and the transparent protective plate may be bonded via an adhesive (the adhesive layer is not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). In the polarizing plate of the present disclosure, the polarizer and the transparent protective plate located on at least one side of the polarizer may be adjacent via an adhesive layer and may be in direct contact.

[0181] In addition, the polarizing plate of the present disclosure is a polarizing plate having a polarizer, a transparent protective plate A located on one side of the polarizer, and a transparent protective plate B located on the other side of the polarizer, wherein at least one of the transparent protective plate A and the transparent protective plate B may be the optical laminate of the present disclosure. In the polarizing plate of the present disclosure, both the transparent protective plate A and the transparent protective plate B may be the optical laminate of the present disclosure. The polarizing plate of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic cross-sectional views showing another embodiment of the polarizing plate, respectively.

[0182] The polarizing plate 30 in FIG. 7 has a polarizer 20, a transparent protective plate A (21) located on one side of the polarizer, and a transparent protective plate B (22) located on the other side of the polarizer. The transparent protective plate A (21) in FIG. 7 is the optical laminate 10 of the present disclosure. The polarizing plate 30 in FIG. 8 has a polarizer 20, a transparent protective plate A (21) located on one side of the polarizer, and a transparent protective plate B (22) located on the other side of the polarizer. The transparent protective plate A (21) and the transparent protective plate B (22) in FIG. 8 are the optical laminate 10 of the present disclosure. In the polarizing plate, the polarizer and the transparent protective plate may be bonded via an adhesive (the adhesive layer is not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0183] 1. Polarizer Examples of the polarizer include sheet-type polarizers such as polyvinyl alcohol films dyed and stretched with iodine or the like, polyvinyl formal films, polyvinyl acetal films, and saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer films; wire grid-type polarizers composed of a large number of metal wires arranged in parallel; coating-type polarizers coated with lyotropic liquid crystals or dichroic guest-host materials; and multilayer thin film-type polarizers. These polarizers may be reflective polarizers having a function of reflecting polarized light components that do not pass through.

[0184] 2. Transparent protective plate A transparent protective plate is disposed on at least one side of the polarizer. Transparent protective plates may be disposed on both sides of the polarizer. That is, a transparent protective plate A may be disposed on one side of the polarizer, and a transparent protective plate B may be disposed on the other side. The transparent protective plate located on at least one side of the polarizer may be the optical laminate of the present disclosure. In the case of a polarizing plate having a transparent protective plate A located on one side of the polarizer and a transparent protective plate B located on the other side of the polarizer, at least one of the transparent protective plate A and the transparent protective plate B may be the optical laminate of the present disclosure. Both the transparent protective plate A and the transparent protective plate B may be the optical laminate of the present disclosure. Either one of the transparent protective plate A and the transparent protective plate B may be the optical laminate of the present disclosure, and the other may be an optical laminate different from the optical laminate of the present disclosure or a positive A layer. Both the transparent protective plate A and the transparent protective plate B may include a λ / 4 retardation layer. Either one of the transparent protective plate A and the transparent protective plate B may be the optical laminate of the present disclosure, the positive A layer is a λ / 4 retardation layer, and the other may be a positive A layer that is a λ / 4 retardation layer.

[0185] Examples of the transparent protective plates A and B other than the optical laminate include plastic films and glass. Examples of the plastic film include polyester films, polycarbonate films, cycloolefin polymer films, and acrylic films, and from the viewpoint of mechanical strength, these stretched films are preferred. Examples of the glass include alkali glass, nitride glass, soda lime glass, borosilicate glass, and lead glass. Further, the glass as the transparent protective plate for protecting the polarizer may be used in combination with other members of the image display device (for example, the glass substrate of the liquid crystal display element, the front plate of the image display device). Note that the polarizer and the transparent protective plate are preferably bonded via an adhesive. As the adhesive, a general-purpose adhesive can be used, and a PVA-based adhesive is preferred.

[0186] When the positive A layer is a λ / 4 retardation layer, it is preferably arranged so that the absorption axis of the polarizer and the slow axis of the positive A layer are at 45 degrees ± 5 degrees, more preferably at 45 degrees ± 3 degrees, and even more preferably at 45 degrees ± 1 degree. By arranging them in the above-mentioned angle relationship, it can function as a circular polarizing plate.

[0187] The polarizing plate of the present disclosure is preferably used as a polarizing plate provided on the light exit surface of a display element. In addition, when used as described above, it is preferable that the transparent protective plate located on the side farther from the display element than the polarizer is the optical laminate of the present disclosure described above. In addition, in the polarizing plate, the optical laminate of the present disclosure is preferably located such that the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer is located on the side farther from the display element than the positive A layer. By using a polarizing plate so that the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer of the optical laminate of the present disclosure is located on the viewing side, the positive A layer and the like can be protected from ultraviolet rays of external light with a simple configuration, thereby enhancing the effect of improving the light resistance of the polarizing plate.

[0188] IV. Display Panel The display panel of the present disclosure includes the above-described optical laminate of the present disclosure on the light emission surface side of a display element. The display panel of the present disclosure includes the above-described optical laminate of the present disclosure on the light emission surface side of the display element, and thus can be imparted with excellent ultraviolet absorption function in addition to the optical properties and durability provided by the optical laminate of the present disclosure, thereby improving the light resistance of the display element. In the display panel, the optical laminate of the present disclosure described above is preferably arranged such that the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer is located farther from the display element than the positive A layer, because the positive A layer and the like can be protected from ultraviolet light from outside with a simple structure, thereby enhancing the effect of improving the light resistance of the display panel.

[0189] 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a display panel 50 of the present disclosure. The display panel 50 of FIG. 9 has the optical laminate 10 of the present disclosure laminated on the light emission surface side of a display element 40.

[0190] When the display element of the display panel is a liquid crystal display element, a backlight (not shown) is required behind the liquid crystal display element. As the backlight, either an edge light type backlight or a direct-lit backlight can be used. Examples of the light source of the backlight include an LED, a CCFL, etc. However, a backlight using quantum dots as the light source is preferable in terms of easily enhancing color reproducibility.

[0191] The display panel of the present disclosure may be provided with the polarizing plate of the present disclosure described above on the surface on the light-emitting surface side of the display element. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the display panel 50 of the present disclosure. In the display panel 50 of FIG. 10, the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure is laminated on the surface on the light-emitting surface side of the display element 40.

[0192] The display panel of the present disclosure may be provided with a polarizer and, as a transparent protection plate located on at least one side of the polarizer, the polarizing plate of the present disclosure provided with the optical laminate of the present disclosure on the surface on the light-emitting surface side of the display element. FIGS. 11 to 15 are each a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the display panel 50 of the present disclosure.

[0193] The display panels 50 in FIGS. 11 and 12 each have the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure laminated on the surface on the light-emitting surface side of the display element 40, and an embodiment is shown in which the optical laminate 10 is located on the side farther from the display element than the polarizer 20. In FIG. 11, in the polarizing plate 30, an embodiment is shown in which the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 of the optical laminate 10 is located on the side farther from the display element 40 than the positive A layer 2. In FIG. 12, in the polarizing plate 30, an embodiment is shown in which the positive A layer 2 of the optical laminate 10 is located on the side farther from the display element 40 than the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1. In the display panel of the present disclosure, the stacking direction in which the optical laminate of the present disclosure is arranged with respect to the polarizer is arbitrary and either is acceptable. By adopting such a configuration, blackout when the image display device is viewed through polarized sunglasses can be suppressed. Among them, in the case of the embodiment in which the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 is located on the side farther from the polarizer 20 than the positive A layer 2 as shown in FIG. 11, since the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer is located on the viewing side, the positive A layer 2 etc. can be protected from ultraviolet rays of external light with a simple configuration, and the effect of improving the light resistance of the display panel can be enhanced.

[0194] The display panel 50 in FIG. 13 has the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure laminated on the surface on the light-emitting surface side of the display element 40, and an embodiment is shown in which the polarizer 20 is located on the side farther from the display element than the optical laminate 10. By adopting such a configuration, the image display device can be provided with an external light reflection prevention function. In the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure in the display panel 50 of FIG. 13, the stacking direction in which the optical laminate of the present disclosure is arranged with respect to the polarizer is arbitrary. Although not shown, in the optical laminate 10 of FIG. 13, the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer may be located on the side farther from the display element 40 than the positive A layer, or the positive A layer may be located on the side farther from the display element 40 than the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer.

[0195] The display panel 50 in FIG. 14 has the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure laminated on the surface on the light-emitting surface side of the display element 40. In the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure, in an embodiment where the optical laminate 10 serves as the transparent protective plate 21 and is located on the side farther from the display element than the polarizer 20, a positive A layer 24 is provided on the opposite side of the optical laminate 10 with respect to the polarizer 20. The positive A layer 24 may be the transparent protective plate 22 located on the other side of the polarizer in the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure. In FIG. 14, in the polarizing plate 30, the optical laminate 10 shows an embodiment where the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 is located on the side farther from the display element 40 than the positive A layer 2, but the stacking orientation in which the optical laminate of the present disclosure is arranged with respect to the polarizer is arbitrary. Although not shown, in the optical laminate 10 of FIG. 14, the positive A layer 2 may be located on the side farther from the display element 40 than the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1. Also, although not shown, a positive C layer may be further provided on the opposite side of the polarizer 20 with respect to the positive A layer 24 of FIG. 14.

[0196] The display panel 50 in FIG. 15 has the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure laminated on the surface on the light-emitting surface side of the display element 40. In the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure, in an embodiment where the optical laminate 10 is located on the side farther from the display element than the polarizer 20, the optical laminate 10' of the present disclosure is further provided on the opposite side of the optical laminate 10 with respect to the polarizer 20. The optical laminate 10' of the present disclosure may be the transparent protective plate 22 located on the other side of the polarizer in the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure. In FIG. 15, in the polarizing plate 30, the optical laminate 10 shows an embodiment where the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1 is located on the side farther from the display element 40 than the positive A layer 2, and the optical laminate 10' shows an embodiment where the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer 1' is located on the side farther from the display element 40 than the positive A layer 2', but the stacking orientations in which the optical laminates 10 and 10' of the present disclosure are arranged with respect to the polarizer are arbitrary. Also, although not shown, a positive C layer may be further provided on the opposite side of the polarizer 20 with respect to the optical laminate 10' of FIG. 15.

[0197] In the display panels of FIGS. 14 and 15, when the positive A layers 2 and 2' of the optical laminates 10 and 10' are λ / 4 retardation plates and the positive A layer 24 is a λ / 4 retardation plate, the polarizing plate 30 is used as a circular polarizing plate in a form combining a λ / 4 retardation plate and a linear polarizing plate, and is preferably used as an external light reflection preventing film when combined with an organic EL display element as the display element 40. Also, when combined with a liquid crystal display element as the display element 40, it is preferably used as part of a polarizing plate compensation film.

[0198] Examples of the display element include a liquid crystal display element, an organic EL display element, an inorganic EL display element, a plasma display element, an electronic paper display element, an LED display element (such as a micro LED), and a display element using quantum dots. These display elements may have a touch panel function inside the display element.

[0199] The display panel 50 of the present disclosure may further have a conventionally known layer structure as long as it includes the optical laminate 10 of the present disclosure or the polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure on the surface on the light emitting surface side of the display element 40. The display panel 50 of the present disclosure may further have a conventionally known layer structure, for example, between the display element 40 and the optical laminate 10 or polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure, or on the surface of the optical laminate 10 or polarizing plate 30 of the present disclosure on the side far from the display element. Examples of such conventionally known configurations include, but are not limited to, JP-A-2017-72792 and Patent No. 7365211.

[0200] V. Image Display Device The image display device of the present disclosure is not particularly limited as long as it includes the display panel of the present disclosure, but preferably includes the display panel of the present disclosure, a drive control unit electrically connected to the display panel, and a housing that houses these.

[0201] The image display device may be a foldable image display device or a rollable image display device. Further, the image display device may be an image display device with a touch panel. In addition, in the image display device of the present disclosure, for other configurations other than the optical laminate, known configurations can be appropriately selected.

[0202] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments are examples, and any configuration that has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present disclosure and exhibits the same operational effects is included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Examples

[0203] Examples and comparative examples are shown below to explain the present disclosure in more detail. In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, various parameters are values measured at a temperature of 25°C ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 40% or more and 65% or less. Also, before the start of each measurement, the target sample is exposed to the above atmosphere for 30 minutes or more, and then measurement and evaluation are performed.

[0204] Also, in the present disclosure, in the following evaluation items, (1) layer thickness, (3) transmittance, (4) secondary ion intensity I AU , I SU , (5) surface free energy, (6) complex elastic modulus, (7) in-plane phase difference Re, various parameters mean the average value of the measurement values at 16 locations. The 16 measurement locations are the 16 intersections when lines dividing the vertical and horizontal directions into five equal parts are drawn in the region inside the margin, with a 1 cm margin from the outer edge of the measurement sample. When the measurement sample is rectangular, with a 1 cm margin from the outer edge of the rectangle, measurement is performed with the 16 intersections of the lines dividing the region inside the margin into five equal parts in the vertical and horizontal directions as the centers, and the average value is calculated. When the measurement sample has a shape other than a rectangle, such as a circle, ellipse, triangle, pentagon, etc., the largest area rectangle inscribed in these shapes is drawn, and 16 measurements are performed for this rectangle using the above method.

[0205] (Production Examples A1 to A17: Production of Photo-Oriented Copolymers A1 to A17) The photo-orienting monomer was prepared according to Table 1, the thermally crosslinkable monomer was prepared according to Table 2, the second component monomer was prepared according to Table 3, and the photo-orienting monomer, the second component monomer, and the thermally crosslinkable monomer were combined according to Table 3 to synthesize a photo-orienting copolymer.

[0206] A synthesis example of the photo-orienting copolymer A1 will be specifically described. The photo-orienting monomer I-1, the second component monomer II-1, and the thermally crosslinkable monomer III-1 were combined and mixed at a molar ratio of 35:5:60. To 1 mol of the monomer mixture, 2.5 g of α,α'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was mixed as a polymerization catalyst, dissolved in 1.3 L of dioxane, and reacted at 90 °C for 6 hours. After completion of the reaction, the photo-orienting copolymer A1 was obtained in a yield of 65% by purification using the reprecipitation method with methanol. For the obtained photo-orienting copolymer, the mass average molecular weight was measured and structural analysis was performed. The mass average molecular weight was measured using HLC-8220GPC manufactured by Tosoh Corporation, with the elution solvent being N-methylpyrrolidone added with 0.01 mol / liter of lithium bromide, and the polystyrene standards for the calibration curve being Mw 377400, 210500, 96000, 50400, 206500, 10850, 5460, 2930, 1300, 580 (above, Easi PS-2 series manufactured by Polymer Laboratories) and Mw 1090000 (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation), and the measurement columns being two TSK-GEL ALPHA-M (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation). Also, it was confirmed by Py-GC-MS or MALDI-TOFMS that it contains the structural units derived from the monomers used.

[0207] (Production Example C1: Production of Comparative Photo-Oriented Copolymer C1) A photo-orienting copolymer C1 was synthesized in the same manner as in Production Example 16 described in Paragraph 0190 of Patent No. 5626493.

[0208] (Production Example C2: Production of Photoalignable Polymer C2) In the same manner as in paragraphs 0069 to 0072 and 0078 of Patent No. 5803064, photoalignable polymer C2 was synthesized.

[0209] [Table 1] Photoalignable monomer I-1: In the same manner as in photoalignable monomer 3 of Synthesis Example 3 of Patent No. 5626492, photoalignable monomer I-1 was synthesized. Photoalignable monomer I-2: In Synthesis Example a of Patent No. 5626492, instead of using 4-vinylbenzoic acid, an equimolar amount of 4-methoxycinnamic acid was used, and instead of using ethylene glycol, an equimolar amount of 4-hydroxyphenyl methacrylate (manufactured by Seiko Chemical Co., Ltd.) was used and condensed in the same manner to synthesize photoalignable monomer I-2. Photoalignable monomer I-3: In the same manner as in photoalignable monomer II-1 of Synthesis Example II-9 in paragraph 0453 of International Publication No. 2022 / 158555, photoalignable monomer I-3 was synthesized. Photoalignable monomer I-4: In the same manner as in the compound (1-1) of Example 1 of Patent No. 5803064, photoalignable monomer I-4 was synthesized.

[0210] [Table 2] Thermocrosslinkable monomer III-1: 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (manufactured by Kyoeisha Chemical Co., Ltd.) Thermocrosslinkable monomer III-2: 4-Hydroxybutyl acrylate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Thermocrosslinkable monomer III-3: In the same manner as in thermocrosslinkable monomer 5 of Synthesis Example e of Patent No. 5626492, thermocrosslinkable monomer III-3 was synthesized.

[0211] [Table 3] Second component monomer II-1: KBM-5103 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) Second component monomer II-2: KBM-1403 (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) Second component monomer II-3: 4-Hydroxybutyl acrylate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) (5.0 g, 35 mmol) and imidazole (3.5 g, 52 mmol) were dissolved in 21 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide, and triisopropylsilyl chloride (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) (8.0 g, 42 mmol) dissolved in 5.3 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide was added dropwise and stirred for 24 hours. After completion of the reaction, toluene and aqueous ammonium chloride solution were added for extraction, and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography, and the solvent was distilled off to synthesize the second component monomer II-3. Second component monomer II-4: 3-[Tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl]propyl methacrylate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Second component monomer II-5: Biscoat 13F (manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Second component monomer II-6: Hexyl acrylate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Second component monomer II-7: Octyl acrylate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Second component monomer II-8: In Synthesis Example e of Patent No. 5626492, the second component monomer II-8 was synthesized in the same manner except that 1-chlorooctane (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was used instead of 2-chloroethanol. Second component monomer II-9: In Synthesis Example e of Patent No. 5626492, the second component monomer II-9 was synthesized in the same manner except that 1-bromo-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethane (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was used instead of 2-chloroethanol. Second component monomer II-10: tert-Butyl acrylate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Second component monomer II-11: 4-Hydroxybutyl acrylate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) (10 g, 69 mmol), 1-bromo-3,3-dimethylbutane (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) (15 g, 90 mmol), tetrabutylammonium bromide (manufactured by Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) (2.2 g, 6.9 mmol) were dissolved in 20 ml of toluene and heated at 50 °C. After reaching the predetermined temperature, 17 g of a 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added dropwise. After completion of the dropwise addition, the temperature was raised to 80 °C and stirred for 24 hours. After completion of the reaction, toluene and water were added for extraction, and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography, and the solvent was distilled off to synthesize the second component monomer II-11. Second component monomer II-12: 4-tert-butoxystyrene (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.)

[0212]

Table 4

[0213] (Preparation of ultraviolet absorbers B1 to B8) The following materials were prepared as ultraviolet absorbers. B1: RUVA-93 (manufactured by Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd., polymerizable group-containing benzotriazole-based low molecular compound) B2: 2-[2-(6-Hydroxybenzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-2H-benzotriazol-5-yl]ethyl methacrylate, synthesized in the same manner as the ultraviolet absorber (B-1) in paragraph 0110 of JP 2021-189224. B3: Vanarezine UVA-55MHB (manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd., benzotriazole-based high molecular compound) B4: Vanarezine UVA-5080 (manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd., benzotriazole-based high molecular compound) B5: The ultraviolet absorber B2 and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) were copolymerized in a molar ratio of 50:50 to obtain the ultraviolet absorber B5. B6: ULS-935LH (manufactured by Lion Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd., benzophenone-based high molecular compound) B7: KEMISORB 111 (manufactured by Chemipro Kasei, benzophenone-based low molecular compound) B8: Tinuvin 460 (manufactured by BASF, a triazine-based low-molecular compound)

[0214] [Example 1: Production of an optical laminate or a transfer laminate] (1) Preparation of Composition 1 for an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer Composition 1 for an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer having the following composition was prepared. · Photo-alignment copolymer A1: 4 parts by mass · Ultraviolet absorber B3: 70 parts by mass · Thermal crosslinking agent (hexamethoxymethylmelamine, HMM): 26 parts by mass · p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (PTSA): 2 parts by mass · Propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME): 260 parts by mass

[0215] (2) Formation of an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer On one side of a PET substrate (manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., E5100, thickness 38 μm), Composition 1 for an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer was applied by bar coating so that the layer thickness after curing would be 4.3 μm, and then heated and dried in an oven at 90°C for 1 minute and thermally cured to form a cured film. Thereafter, polarized ultraviolet light containing a 313 nm emission line was irradiated onto the surface of this cured film from the substrate normal direction in a perpendicular direction at 100 mJ / cm 2 by using an Hg-Xe lamp and a Glan-Taylor prism, thereby forming an alignment layer and an ultraviolet absorption layer having a further function as an alignment layer on the substrate.

[0216] (3) Preparation of a positive A layer composition 100 parts by mass of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound of the following chemical formula (LC-1) prepared in the same manner as Compound 1 represented by the formula (1-1) of Patent No. 6473537 and 4 parts by mass of a photoinitiator (2-methyl-1-(4-methylthiophenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one: manufactured by BASF, Irgacure 907) were dissolved in 900 parts by mass of cyclopentanone to prepare a positive A layer composition.

[0217] [Chemical formula]

[0218] (4) Formation of positive A layer On the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer obtained above, the composition for the positive A layer was applied by bar coating so that the layer thickness after curing would be 1 μm, and after drying at 140 °C for 120 seconds, ultraviolet rays (UV) were irradiated with an irradiation amount of 400 mJ / cm 2 to form a positive A layer, and an optical laminate was manufactured.

[0219] [Examples 2 to 24: Production of optical laminate to transfer laminate] (1) Preparation of compositions 2 to 24 for alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer Compositions for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer having the following compositions were prepared. · Photo-alignment copolymer shown in Table 5: 4 parts by mass · Ultraviolet absorber shown in Table 5: 70 parts by mass · Thermosetting agent (hexamethoxymethylmelamine, HMM): 26 parts by mass · p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (PTSA): 2 parts by mass · Propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME): 260 parts by mass

[0220] (2) Formation of alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer In Example 1, an alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer were formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that one of the compositions 2 to 24 for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer was used instead of the composition 1 for the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. (3) Formation of positive A layer A positive A layer was formed on the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer obtained above in the same manner as in Example 1, and an optical laminate was manufactured.

[0221] [Examples 25 to 27: Production of optical laminate to transfer laminate] (1) Preparation of compositions 25 to 27 for alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer An orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the mass ratio of the thermosetting agent was changed as shown in Table 5.

[0222] (2) Formation of the orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer In Example 1, an orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that one of Compositions 25 to 27 for the orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer was used instead of Composition 1 for the orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. (3) Formation of the positive A layer A positive A layer was formed on the orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer obtained above in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce an optical laminate.

[0223] [Examples 28 to 29: Production of an optical laminate or a transfer laminate] (1) Preparation of Compositions 28 to 29 for the orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer An orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the mass ratios of the photo-orientable copolymer, the ultraviolet absorber, and the thermosetting agent, and the drying temperature were changed as shown in Table 5. (2) Formation of the orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer In Example 1, an orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that one of Compositions 28 to 29 for the orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer was used instead of Composition 1 for the orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. (3) Formation of the positive A layer A positive A layer was formed on the orientation layer and ultraviolet absorption layer obtained above in the same manner as in Example 1 to produce an optical laminate.

[0224] [Comparative Examples 1 to 6] A composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that one or more of the type of the photo-orientable copolymer, the type of the ultraviolet absorber, the mass ratio of the photo-orientable copolymer, the mass ratio of the ultraviolet absorber, the mass ratio of the thermosetting agent, and the mass ratio of PTSA were changed as shown in Table 5. Using any one of the compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 6 shown in Table 5, an ultraviolet absorption layer was formed on a PET substrate in the same manner as the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer of Example 1. On the obtained ultraviolet absorption layer, a coating film of a polymerizable liquid crystal composition was formed in the same manner as the positive A layer of Example 1, and ultraviolet light was irradiated in the same manner to form a cured film of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0225] [Evaluation] The following evaluations were performed on the obtained optical laminate. (1) Measurement of layer thickness The layer thicknesses of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer and the positive A layer were measured at 10 locations of the thickness of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer and the positive A layer in the cross-sectional image by photographing the cross-section of the retardation layer using a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) (manufactured by Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, S-4800), and the arithmetic mean value of the layer thicknesses at those 10 locations was taken. The penetration region was observed as the portion where both fragments derived from the components contained in the positive A layer and fragment ions derived from the components contained in the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer were detected by TOF-SIMS, and was included in the thickness of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. The cross-sectional photographs of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer and the positive A layer were taken as follows. First, a block in which a sample cut out to 1 mm × 10 mm was embedded with an embedding resin was prepared, and a uniform section with a thickness of 70 nm or more and 100 nm or less without holes or the like was cut out from this block by a general section preparation method. An ultramicrotome (manufactured by Leica Microsystems, EM UC7) was used for the preparation of the section. Then, this uniform section without holes or the like was used as the measurement sample. Thereafter, a cross-sectional photograph of the measurement sample was taken using a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). At the time of taking this cross-sectional photograph, STEM observation was performed with the detector set to "TE", the acceleration voltage set to "30 kV", and the emission current set to "10 μA". Regarding the magnification, it was appropriately adjusted from 5000 times to 200,000 times while observing whether each layer could be distinguished by adjusting the focus and observing the contrast and brightness.

[0226] (2) Presence or absence of penetration region Whether there is a region in the alignment layer / UV absorption layer into which the liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated was determined by etching from the surface of the positive A layer in the layer thickness direction with an argon gas cluster ion beam (Ar-GCIB) gun (15 kV, 2.5 nA, 500×500 μm) while obtaining the layer thickness direction distribution of fragment ions derived from the liquid crystal component derived from the positive A layer and fragment ions derived from the alignment component contained in the alignment layer / UV absorption layer using a time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer (TOF-SIMS) (UIvac-PHI, TRIFT V Nano TOF). The analysis of the layer thickness direction distribution was performed by conducting component analysis in the surface depth region of 1 to 2 nm, then digging 10 nm in the layer thickness direction with a gas cluster ion beam, performing component analysis in the next surface depth region of 1 to 2 nm, and further digging 10 nm in the layer thickness direction with a gas cluster ion beam and performing component analysis in the next surface depth region of 1 to 2 nm, repeating a series of such operations. Based on the results of layer thickness measurement, after digging 80% in the depth direction from the surface of the positive A layer, the above-described repeated operation was started. In the layer thickness direction distribution, when there is a portion where both fragment ions derived from the liquid crystal component derived from the positive A layer and fragment ions derived from the alignment component contained in the alignment layer / UV absorption layer are detected, it was determined that there is a region where the liquid crystal component has penetrated (there is a penetration region), and when there is no such portion where both are detected, it was regarded as no penetration region. In the TOF-SIMS measurement, as the irradiation primary ion, a double charge ion of bismuth cluster (Bi3 ++ ) was used, the acceleration voltage was set to 30 kV, the irradiation range was set to the central part of 100 μm×100 μm of the ion beam irradiation region for etching, and a neutralization gun for correcting the charge of the sample during analysis was used.

[0227] (3) Transmittance Using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, UV-2700), the transmittance of the optical laminate was measured at 1 nm intervals in the range of 250 nm or more and 800 nm or less, and the transmittance at a wavelength of 380 nm and a wavelength of 400 nm was obtained.

[0228] (4) Non-uniformity confirmation The positive A layer surface of the optical laminate was cut in an oblique direction using a surface / interface cutting test device (SAICAS NN-04 type, manufactured by Daipla Wintes Co., Ltd.). The cutting conditions were as follows: Cutting edge: Made of single crystal diamond Blade width: 1mm Cutting edge rake angle: 20° Cutting edge clearance angle: 10° Horizontal cutting edge speed: 400nm / sec Vertical cutting edge speed: 4nm / sec FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the process of creating a sample of the optical laminate of the present disclosure, cut obliquely from the surface of the positive A layer 2 to the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer 1 that is not in contact with the positive A layer (the interface with the substrate 4). Specifically, the cutting blade was moved from the surface of the optical laminate (surface of the positive A layer 2) in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the film at the above rake angle at a vertical speed of 4 nm / sec to perform cutting 5. Next, when the cutting blade reached the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer 1 that was not in contact with the positive A layer (interface with the substrate 4) (cutting 5), the vertical speed was set to 0 μm / min, and the cutting blade was moved only in the direction parallel to the film surface (horizontal direction) to perform cutting 5 (see FIG. 3).

[0229] Next, the secondary ion intensity I derived from the alignment component detected at a position 100 nm from the interface on the positive A layer side of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer in the thickness direction by TOF-SIMS was measured. AU and a secondary ion intensity I derived from the alignment component detected at a position 100 nm from the surface (interface with the substrate) of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer that is not in contact with the positive A layer in the thickness direction. SU and were measured. The measurement conditions for TOF-SIMS are as follows. Primary ion: Bi3 ++ Acceleration voltage: 25 kV Primary ion current value: 0.2pA Measurement area: 300μm×300μm (using a neutralizing gun for charge correction) Number of scans: 64 scans

[0230] The obtained I AU and I SU were compared and evaluated as follows. A: I AU > 1.3×I SU B: I SU < I AU ≦1.3×I SU C: I AU ≦I SU In the cases of A and B, it is determined that in the thickness direction of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer, the photo-alignment component is relatively more present at the positive A layer side interface compared to the surface on the side not in contact with the positive A layer.

[0231] (5) Surface free energy (5-1) Surface free energy of the positive A layer side surface (positive A interface side) of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer The surface free energy of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer fabricated in the examples was measured and used as the surface free energy of the positive A layer side interface of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer. The surface free energy was measured using a double titration contact angle and surface free energy analyzer (manufactured by KRUSS, MSA). The contact angles of water and diiodomethane on the surface of the alignment film and ultraviolet absorption layer were measured, and the contact angles were calculated by the ellipse fitting method. The measurement conditions are as follows. First, the measurement sample was attached to a smooth glass plate using double-sided tape (manufactured by Teraoka, product number: 7570) and fixed. Water and diiodomethane were dropped onto the fixed sample using a double titration contact angle and surface free energy analyzer (manufactured by KRUSS, MSA). The dropping amount was 1 μL each, and the contact angle was set to be measured 2 seconds after dropping. Using the calculated contact angle, the surface free energy was calculated by the OWRK (Owens-Wendt-Rable-Kaelble) method. Note that for the contact angle by the ellipse fitting method and the surface free energy by the OWRK (Owens-Wendt-Rable-Kaelble) method, the analysis method of the double titration contact angle and surface free energy analyzer (manufactured by KRUSS, MSA) was set as above, and the calculated values were used. Note that the following values were adopted for the surface tension, dispersion component, and polar component of water and diiodomethane. Water: surface tension 72.8 mN / m (dispersion component 21.8 mN / m + polar component 51.0 mN / m) Diiodomethane: surface tension 50.8 mN / m (dispersion component 50.8 mN / m + polar component 0 mN / m) (5-2) Surface free energy on the substrate interface side of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer The alignment layer and UV absorption layer and the positive A layer were transferred onto the adhesive glass, the PET substrate was peeled off, and a measurement sample was prepared in the order of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer / positive A layer / adhesive glass. As the adhesive, an optical adhesive (manufactured by Panac, Panaclean PD-S1, 25 μm, acrylic adhesive) was used. The surface free energy was measured for the surface of the measurement sample in the same manner as in (5-1).

[0232] (6) Complex elastic modulus The complex elastic modulus of the alignment layer and UV absorption layer was determined as follows. First, the positive A layer side of the retardation plate was attached to glass coated with a cyanoacrylate instant adhesive (Toagosei Co., Ltd., Aron Alpha (registered trademark) EXTRA quick-acting multipurpose), and the glass was placed on the PET substrate side, and the adhesive surface was pressed for 1 minute so that the thickness of the adhesive layer from both sides of the glass was 45 μm. After that, the sample was left to stand for 10 minutes, and then the PET substrate was peeled off to transfer the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer and the positive A layer, and a measurement sample was prepared in the order of alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer / positive A layer / glass with adhesive. The measurement sample was used to measure the indentation hardness of the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer exposed by peeling off the PET substrate. The indentation hardness (HIT) was measured for the measurement sample using a nanoindenter (BRUKER, TI950 TriboIndenter). Under the following measurement conditions, a Berkovich indenter (triangular pyramid, BRUKER TI-0039) was pressed vertically onto the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer for 10 seconds until the maximum indentation load reached 3 μN. After that, the indenter was held for a certain period of time to relax the residual stress, and then the load was removed for 10 seconds to measure the maximum load after relaxation. The maximum load Pmax (μN) and the contact projected area Ap (nm 2 ) and the indentation hardness (HIT) was calculated by Pmax / Ap. The contact projected area was the contact projected area corrected for the indenter tip curvature by the Oliver-Pharr method using a standard sample of fused quartz (5-0098 manufactured by BRUKER). If any of the measured values ​​deviated from the arithmetic mean value by ±20% or more, the measured value was excluded and remeasured. (Measurement conditions) ·Loading speed: 0.3μN / sec ·Holding time: 5 seconds ·Loading and unloading speed: 0.3μN / sec ·Measurement temperature: 25℃ Next, the composite elastic modulus Er was calculated from the above-mentioned formula (1) using the above-mentioned contact projected area Ap determined when measuring the indentation hardness (HIT) of the obtained alignment layer / ultraviolet absorbing layer.

[0233] (7) Orientation An alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer and a positive A layer were transferred onto the adhesive glass, and the PET substrate was peeled off to prepare a measurement sample in the order of the alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer / positive A layer / adhesive glass. As the adhesive, an optical adhesive (Panaclean PD-S1, 25 μm, acrylic adhesive, manufactured by Panac Co., Ltd.) was used. With respect to the positive A layer (cured film of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound) of the measurement sample, observation was carried out using a polarizing microscope (BX-51 manufactured by Olympus Corporation) under the condition of a magnification of 200 times, and the number of alignment defects in a field of view of 480 μm × 320 μm was counted. Here, only the alignment defects caused by the measurement sample were counted, and the number of defects caused by environmental foreign matters etc. other than the sample was excluded from the count. Also, the in-plane retardation Re at a wavelength of 550 nm was measured using a retardation measurement device (KOBRA-WR manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.), and the alignment property (alignment ability) of the liquid crystal compound by the alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer was evaluated. Also, the measurement conditions for the retardation measurement are as follows. (A1) First, in order to stabilize the light source of KOBRA-WR, it is left for 60 minutes or more after turning on the light source. Then, wavelength plate measurement is selected to obtain the data of the reference analyzer. (A2) Using the incident angle dependence (single N calculation), the measurement conditions were set as follows and measured. (Measurement conditions) · Measurement mode: Standard · Tilt center angle: Advance axis · Incident angle: 0° · Average number of measurement times: 3 times · Average refractive index of the layer to be measured: The measured value (average refractive index) measured in accordance with JIS K7142 using a sodium D line (589 nm) as the light source with an Abbe refractometer (manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd.) for the alignment property measurement sample was input. · Thickness: The total thickness of the alignment layer-cum-UV absorption layer and the positive A layer measured in Evaluation (1) was input. (Evaluation criteria for alignment property) A: The number of alignment defects is 5 or less, and Re ≧ 135 nm B: The number of alignment defects is 5 or less, and 110 nm ≦ Re < 135 nm C: The number of alignment defects is 6 or more and 30 or less, or the number of alignment defects is 5 or less and Re < 110 nm D: The number of alignment defects is 31 or more or there is no alignment (the relationship Nx > Ny ≒ Nz of the positive A layer is not satisfied.)

[0234] (8) Flexural resistance For the obtained retardation plate, the following dynamic bending test was performed to evaluate the flexural resistance. The method of the dynamic bending test will be described with reference to FIG. 16. Two movable metal plates 60 (100 mm × 30 mm) having a movable part 60a and a non-movable part 60b were prepared and arranged in parallel so that the distance between the non-movable parts 60b of the two metal plates 60 was 60 mm. As shown in FIG. 16(A), the movable part 60a of the metal plate 60 was bent perpendicular to the non-movable part 60b. On the movable part 60a, a test piece 70 of an optical laminate cut out to 100 mm × 25 mm was placed with the positive A layer on the inside and the slow axis direction of the positive A layer parallel to the two metal plates 60, and both ends of the test piece 70 were fixed to the movable part 60a with Kapton (registered trademark) tape so that the center of the test piece 70 was located at the center of the distance between the metal plates. Next, the movable part 60a and the non-movable part 60b were arranged in a straight line to be in the state shown in FIG. 16(B), that is, the test piece 70 bent at the midpoint of the long side was sandwiched between the metal plates 60 from both sides, and the two metal plates 60 on both sides were arranged in parallel so that the distance between the two metal plates 60 on both sides was 60 mm. In such a state and in the state shown in FIG. 16(C) where the two metal plates 60 on both sides were arranged in parallel so that the distance between the two metal plates 60 on both sides was 10 mm, the bending was repeatedly changed at 90 times per minute under the environment of 60 °C and 93% relative humidity (RH), and the bending was repeated 50,000 times. As a test jig, a durability test system in a thermo-hygrostat (manufactured by Yuasa System Equipment, surface body no-load U-shaped expansion and contraction test jig DMX-FS) was used. (Evaluation criteria) A: It does not break even after repeating the bending 50,000 times and no crack occurs. B: It breaks or a crack occurs during the repetition of the bending 50,000 times.

[0235]

Table 5

[0236]

Table 6

[0237] [Summary of Results] In the optical laminates of Examples 1 to 29, they have an alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer directly in contact with the positive A layer, the transmittance at a wavelength of 380 nm of the optical laminate is 1.0% or less, and the transmittance at a wavelength of 400 nm is 20.0% or less. Since the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer does not include the region where the liquid crystalline component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated at the positive A layer side interface, an optical laminate having both excellent ultraviolet absorption ability and excellent alignment property was obtained. The optical laminates of Examples 1 to 29 can achieve excellent ultraviolet absorption ability without providing an ultraviolet absorption layer in a separate layer, indicating that they are optical laminates that improve production efficiency and contribute to thinning of the film. In the optical laminates of Examples 1 to 29, the complex elastic modulus of the surface of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer not in contact with the positive A layer was in the range of 4.0 GPa or more and 8.0 GPa or less, and the bending resistance was also good. On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 in which a photo-alignable copolymer of the prior art and the same ultraviolet absorber as in Example 1 were used at the same compounding ratio as in Example 1 (photo-alignable copolymer:ultraviolet absorber = 4:70 (mass ratio)) instead of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorption layer of the examples, although they had excellent ultraviolet absorption ability, they could not sufficiently exhibit the photo-aligning function of the photo-alignable copolymer, and a positive A layer could not be obtained. Instead of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer of the example, in Comparative Example 3 where a photo-alignment copolymer and an ultraviolet absorber of the prior art were used, with the photo-alignment copolymer:ultraviolet absorber = 63:11 (mass ratio) and a large amount of the photo-alignment copolymer content used, and no thermal crosslinking agent was used, the ultraviolet absorption function was insufficient, and the alignment property of the positive A layer was also poor. Further, since a small amount of a low-molecular ultraviolet absorber was used and no thermal crosslinking agent was used, the complex elastic modulus of the surface of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer on the side not in contact with the positive A layer became small, and the bending resistance was poor. Instead of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer of the example, in Comparative Example 4 where a photo-alignment copolymer and an ultraviolet absorber of the prior art were used, with the photo-alignment copolymer:ultraviolet absorber = 63:11 (mass ratio) and a large amount of the photo-alignment copolymer content used, and a thermal crosslinking agent was further used, the ultraviolet absorption function was still insufficient, and the alignment property of the positive A layer was also poor. Further, since a small amount of a low-molecular ultraviolet absorber was used, the complex elastic modulus of the surface of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer on the side not in contact with the positive A layer was less than 4.0 GPa, and the bending resistance was poor compared with the example. In the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer, the same photo-alignment copolymer and ultraviolet absorber as in Example 1 were used at the same mixing ratio as in Example 1, but in Comparative Example 5 where no thermal crosslinking agent was used, the photo-alignment function of the photo-alignment copolymer could not be fully exerted, and a positive A layer could not be obtained. Further, since no thermal crosslinking agent was used, the complex elastic modulus of the surface of the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer on the side not in contact with the positive A layer was less than 4.0 GPa, and the bending resistance was poor compared with the example. In the alignment layer and ultraviolet absorber layer, the same photo-alignment copolymer, ultraviolet absorber, and thermal crosslinking agent as in Example 28 were used at the same mixing ratio as in Example 28, but in Comparative Example 6 where the mixing ratio of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (PTSA) was reduced compared with Example 28 and drying was performed at 90°C, an infiltration region was formed, and the alignment property of the positive A layer was inferior compared with Example 28.

Claims

1. An optical laminate comprising a positive A layer and an alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer directly contacting the positive A layer, wherein the transmittance of the optical laminate at a wavelength of 380 nm is 1.0% or less, and the transmittance at a wavelength of 400 nm is 20.0% or less, and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer does not include a region in which a liquid crystal component contained in the positive A layer has penetrated at the interface on the positive A layer side. An optical laminate.

2. The optical laminate according to claim 1, wherein in the thickness direction of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer, the photoalignment component is relatively more present at the interface on the positive A layer side compared to the surface not in contact with the positive A layer.

3. The optical laminate according to claim 1, which satisfies the following formula (A) when the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer is analyzed by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Formula (A): I ＡＵ >1.3×I ＳＵ (In formula (A), I ＡＵ represents the secondary ion intensity derived from the photo-orientation component detected at a position 100 nm on the side of the orientation layer-cum-UV absorption layer in the thickness direction from the interface on the positive A layer side of the orientation layer-cum-UV absorption layer. I ＳＵ represents the secondary ion intensity derived from the photo-orientation component detected at a position 100 nm in the thickness direction from the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer that does not contact the positive A layer of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorption layer.

4. The optical laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the complex elastic modulus of the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer not in contact with the positive A layer is 4.0 GPa or more and 8.0 GPa or less.

5. The optical laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the surface free energy of the interface on the positive A layer side of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer is smaller than the surface free energy of the surface of the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer not in contact with the positive A layer.

6. A transfer laminate for transferring the positive A layer and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer, comprising a support that detachably supports the positive A layer and the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer on the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer side of the optical laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A polarizing plate comprising the optical laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a polarizer.

8. A polarizing plate comprising a polarizer and, as a transparent protective plate located on at least one side of the polarizer, the optical laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. A display panel comprising the optical laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 3 on the light-emitting surface of a display element.

10. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein the alignment layer / ultraviolet absorber layer is located on the side farther from the display element than the positive A layer.

11. A display panel comprising the polarizing plate according to claim 8 on the light-emitting surface of a display element.

12. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein the optical laminate is located on a side farther from the display element than the polarizer.

13. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein the polarizer is located on a side farther from the display element than the optical laminate.

14. The display panel according to claim 11, wherein the optical laminate is located on a side farther from the display element than the polarizer, and the optical laminate or the positive A layer according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided on the side opposite to the optical laminate with reference to the polarizer.

15. An image display device comprising the display panel according to claim 9.

16. An image display device comprising the display panel according to claim 11.

Images