Optical laminate and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide an optical laminate that is excellent in optical characteristics, can simplify a manufacturing process, and can achieve a reduction in thickness.SOLUTION: An optical laminate has a liquid crystal polarizer, a first protective layer, and an optical absorption anisotropic layer laminated in this order. The liquid crystal polarizer includes a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and has an absorption axis in the horizontal direction relative to a plane of the liquid crystal polarizer. The optical absorption anisotropic layer includes a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and satisfies the relationships of formulas (1)-(3). A horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer are in direct contact with each other. The liquid crystal polarizer and the first protective layer are in direct contact with each other. The first protective layer and the optical absorption anisotropic layer are in direct contact with each other, or the first protective layer and the optical absorption anisotropic layer have only a vertical alignment layer therebetween. Az>(Ax+Ay) / 2 (1) 0.001≤Ax≤0.1 (2) Ax(z=60°) / Ax≥5 (3)SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical laminate and a method for producing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] An optically absorptive anisotropic plate is known in which anti-diffusion layers are laminated on both sides of an optically absorptive anisotropic film in which a dichroic dye and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound are vertically aligned (for example, Patent Document 1).A circularly polarizing plate is also known in which a polarizing plate having a polarizing film in which a dichroic dye and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound are horizontally aligned is laminated with a retardation layer (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7059409 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-134934 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the optically absorptive anisotropic film, the polarizing film, and other layers attached to these films are made thinner, the handleability of these films or layers decreases, but there is also a demand for further thinning of circular polarizing plates.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an optical laminate that has excellent optical properties, can be produced by a simplified production process, and can be made thinner, and a method for producing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides the following optical laminate and method for producing the optical laminate. [1] An optical laminate in which a horizontal alignment layer, a liquid crystal polarizer, a first protective layer, and a light absorption anisotropic layer are laminated in this order, the liquid crystal polarizer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and has an absorption axis in a direction parallel to the plane of the liquid crystal polarizer; The light absorption anisotropic layer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and satisfies the relationships of the following formulas (1) to (3): the horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer are in direct contact with each other, the liquid crystal polarizer and the first protective layer are in direct contact with each other, An optical laminate, wherein the first protective layer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer are in direct contact with each other, or wherein only a vertical alignment layer is provided between the first protective layer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. Az>(Ax+Ay) / 2 (1) 0.001≦Ax≦0.1 (2) Ax(z=60°) / Ax≧5 (3) [In formulas (1) to (3), Ax, Ay, and Az are the absorbances of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, and represent the absorbances of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction, respectively. Ax (z=60°) is the absorbance at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is rotated 60° around the y axis as the rotation axis, and represents the absorbance of linearly polarized light oscillating in the x-axis direction. Here, the x-axis is an arbitrary direction within the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, the y-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, The z-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis. [2] The liquid crystal display device further includes a substrate layer on the opposite side of the horizontal alignment layer from the liquid crystal polarizer side, The optical laminate according to [1], wherein the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer are in direct contact with each other, or only a second protective layer is present between the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer. [3] When the peel force between the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer in a case where the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer are in direct contact with each other, or when only the second protective layer is provided, is F0, The optical laminate according to [2], wherein the peel force F0 is 0.20 N / 25 mm or less. [4] The peel force between the horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer is F1, the peel strength between the liquid crystal polarizer and the first protective layer is F2, When the peel force between the first protective layer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is F3, The optical laminate according to [3], wherein the peel strengths F1 to F3 are all greater than the peel strength F0 and each independently exceeds 0.3 N / 25 mm. [5] The optically absorptive anisotropic layer further includes a third protective layer on the side opposite to the first protective layer, The optical laminate according to [3] or [4], wherein the optically absorptive anisotropic layer and the third protective layer are in direct contact with each other. [6] The optical laminate according to [5], wherein the peel force F4 between the optically absorptive anisotropic layer and the third protective layer is greater than the peel force F0 and greater than 0.3 N / 25 mm. [7] The liquid crystal display device further includes a substrate layer on the opposite side of the horizontal alignment layer from the liquid crystal polarizer side, having only the second protective layer between the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer, An optical laminate according to any one of [3] to [6], wherein when the peel force between the second protective layer and the horizontal alignment layer is F5, the peel force F5 is greater than the peel force F0 and exceeds 0.3 N / 25 mm. [8] The liquid crystal display device further includes a first liquid crystal retardation layer laminated on the side of the horizontal alignment layer opposite to the liquid crystal polarizer side via a first adhesive layer, The optical laminate according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the first liquid crystal retardation layer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound aligned in a direction horizontal to a plane of the first liquid crystal retardation layer. [9] The liquid crystal display device further includes a second liquid crystal retardation layer laminated on the side of the horizontal alignment layer opposite to the liquid crystal polarizer side via a second adhesive layer, The optical laminate according to [8], wherein the second liquid crystal retardation layer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the second liquid crystal retardation layer.

[10] The dichroic dye contained in the liquid crystal polarizer is an azo dye, The optical layered body according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the dichroic dye contained in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is an azo dye.

[11] A method for producing an optical laminate in which a horizontal alignment layer, a liquid crystal polarizer, a first protective layer, and an optically absorptive anisotropic layer are laminated in this order, comprising: the liquid crystal polarizer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and has an absorption axis in a direction parallel to the plane of the liquid crystal polarizer; The light absorption anisotropic layer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and satisfies the relationships of the following formulas (1) to (3): preparing a liquid crystal polarizer with a base layer, in which a base layer, the horizontal alignment layer, and the liquid crystal polarizer are laminated in this order, and the horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer are in direct contact with each other; a step of directly applying a composition for forming the first protective layer onto the liquid crystal polarizer of the base material layer-attached liquid crystal polarizer to form the first protective layer; forming the optically absorbing anisotropic layer directly or via a vertical alignment layer on the first protective layer formed in the step of forming the first protective layer, The step of forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer comprises the following step [a1] or [a2]: [a1] a step of directly applying a composition for forming the optically absorbing anisotropic layer, the composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, onto the first protective layer; [a2] a step of directly applying a composition for forming a vertical alignment layer onto the first protective layer to form the vertical alignment layer, and a step of directly applying the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer onto the vertical alignment layer; A method for producing an optical laminate, comprising: Az>(Ax+Ay) / 2 (1) 0.001≦Ax≦0.1 (2) Ax(z=60°) / Ax≧5 (3) [In formulas (1) to (3), Ax, Ay, and Az are the absorbances of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, and represent the absorbances of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction, respectively. Ax (z=60°) is the absorbance at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is rotated 60° around the y axis as the rotation axis, and represents the absorbance of linearly polarized light oscillating in the x-axis direction. Here, the x-axis is an arbitrary direction within the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, the y-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, The z-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis.

[12] The step of preparing a liquid crystal polarizer with a substrate layer comprises the following step [b1] or [b2]: [b1] a step of directly applying a composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer onto the base layer to form the horizontal alignment layer, and a step of directly applying a composition for forming a liquid crystal polarizer onto the horizontal alignment layer, the composition including a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye to form the liquid crystal polarizer; [b2] a step of directly applying the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer onto a second protective layer formed so as to be in direct contact with the base layer, and a step of directly applying the composition for forming a liquid crystal polarizer onto the horizontal alignment layer; The method for producing the optical laminate according to

[11] , comprising:

[13] The optical laminate further includes a third protective layer on the side of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer opposite to the first protective layer side, The method for producing an optical laminate according to

[11] or

[12] , further comprising a step of directly applying a composition for forming a third protective layer to the surface of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer opposite to the first protective layer side, for forming the third protective layer.

[14] The method for producing an optical laminate according to any one of

[11] to

[13] , comprising a step of peeling off the base layer after the step of forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an optical laminate having excellent optical properties can be obtained, the manufacturing process of the optical laminate can be simplified, and the optical laminate can be made thinner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an optical laminate according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an optical laminate according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an optical laminate according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an optical laminate according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a manufacturing process of an optical laminate according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views schematically illustrating a manufacturing process of an optical laminate according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an optical laminate and a method for producing the same will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, a numerical range such as "x to y" indicates an upper limit and a lower limit, and represents a numerical range of "x or more and y or less" unless otherwise specified.

[0010] (optical laminate) 1 to 4 are cross-sectional views schematically showing optical laminates according to one embodiment of the present invention. Optical laminates 1 to 4 each include a horizontal alignment layer 13, a liquid crystal polarizer 14, a first protective layer 15, and an optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 laminated in this order. The liquid crystal polarizer 14 contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and has an absorption axis in a direction horizontal to the plane of the liquid crystal polarizer 14. The optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and satisfies the relationships of formulas (1) to (3) described below.

[0011] In the optical laminates 1 to 4, the horizontal alignment layer 13 and the liquid crystal polarizer 14 are in direct contact, and the liquid crystal polarizer 14 and the first protective layer 15 are in direct contact. In the optical laminates 1 to 4, the first protective layer 15 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 are in direct contact (FIGS. 1 and 3), or only the vertical alignment layer 16 is present between the first protective layer 15 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 (FIGS. 2 and 4). When the optical laminates 1 to 4 have the vertical alignment layer 16, the vertical alignment layer 16 is in direct contact with the first protective layer 15 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 (FIGS. 2 and 4). In this way, the direct contact between the liquid crystal polarizer 14 and the first protective layer 15 and the first protective layer 15 or the vertical alignment layer 16 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 allows the optical laminates 1 to 4 to be thinned, and also simplifies the manufacturing process of the optical laminates 1 to 4, as described below.

[0012] As described above, the light absorption anisotropic layer 17 contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and satisfies the relationships of the following formulas (1) to (3). Az>(Ax+Ay) / 2 (1) 0.001≦Ax≦0.1 (2) Ax(z=60°) / Ax≧5 (3) [In formulas (1) to (3), Ax, Ay, and Az are the absorbances of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, and represent the absorbances of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction, respectively. Ax (z=60°) is the absorbance at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 is rotated 60° around the y-axis, and represents the absorbance of linearly polarized light oscillating in the x-axis direction. Here, the x-axis is an arbitrary direction within the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17, The y-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17, The z-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis.]

[0013] When the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 satisfies the relationships of the above formulas (1) to (3), it is believed that the absorption axis of the dichroic dye is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17, and therefore the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 can effectively transmit light from the front direction and effectively absorb light from oblique directions.

[0014] The absorbance Az in the z direction in the above formula (1) is difficult to measure because it is measured by irradiating light onto the side surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17. Therefore, when the angle between the vibration plane of the linearly polarized light (measurement light) and the xy plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 is set to 90°, the absorbance Az in the z direction can be estimated by measuring while tilting the xy plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 by 30° and 60° relative to this vibration plane in the direction of incidence of the linearly polarized light.

[0015] Specifically, it can be estimated using the following methods. The absorbance Ax(z=30°) and the absorbance Ax(z=60°) are measured by rotating the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 by 30° and 60° about the y-axis as the rotation axis and then incidenting the same linearly polarized light as that used to measure Ax. Similarly, the absorbance Ay(z=30°) and the absorbance Ay(z=60°) are measured by rotating the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 by 30° and 60° about the x-axis as the rotation axis and then incidenting the same linearly polarized light as that used to measure Ay. At this time, if Ax(z = 30°) < Ax(z = 60°) and Ay(z = 30°) = Ay(z = 60°), then Ax(z = 30°) < Ax(z = 60°) < Ax(z = 90°) = Az, and if Ay(z = 30°) < Ay(z = 60°) and Ax(z = 30°) = Ax(z = 60°), then Ay(z = 30°) < Ay(z = 60°) < Ay(z = 90°) = Az. Therefore, it can be said that the relationship of formula (1) is necessarily satisfied. Here, Ax(z = 90°) is the absorbance measured by making the linearly polarized light identical to the linearly polarized light for which Ax was measured incident in a state where the light absorption anisotropic layer 17 is rotated 90° about the y-axis as the rotation axis. Ay(z = 90°) is the absorbance measured by making the linearly polarized light identical to the linearly polarized light for which Ax was measured incident in a state where the light absorption anisotropic layer 17 is rotated 90° about the x-axis as the rotation axis.

[0016] Particularly, when there is no absorption anisotropy in the x - y plane of the light absorption anisotropic layer 17, that is, when Ax and Ay are equal, Ax(z = 30°) = Ay(z = 30°) and Ax(z = 60°) = Ay(z = 60°). Here, let Ax(z = 30°) = Ay(z = 30°) = A(z = 30°), Ax(z = 60°) = Ay(z = 60°) = A(z = 60°), and Ax(z = 90°) = Ay(z = 90°) = A(z = 90°). Then, if A(z = 30°) < A(z = 60°), the relationship A(z = 30°) < A(z = 60°) < A(z = 90°) = Az is satisfied. Furthermore, if A(z = 30°) > (Ax + Ay) / 2, it can be said that Az necessarily satisfies formula (1).

[0017] The Ax and Ay values ​​represent the absorbance of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 in the front direction. Smaller values ​​of Ax and Ay indicate more precisely oriented alignment of the dichroic dye in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 in the direction perpendicular to the plane. Both Ax and Ay values ​​are preferably 0.3 or less. If both Ax and Ay values ​​exceed 0.3, the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 exhibits a stronger coloration in the front direction, tending to result in poorer front-transmission hue when used in a display device. The Ax and Ay values ​​are each independently preferably 0.1 or less, more preferably 0.05 or less, and even more preferably 0.02 or less. The lower limits of the Ax and Ay values ​​are each independently typically 0.001 or more, and may be 0.003 or more, or even 0.005 or more. An optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 that satisfies the relationship of formula (2) indicates that the absorption axis of the dichroic dye is precisely oriented in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17. If the absorbance Ax exceeds 0.3, the light absorption anisotropic layer 17 will be strongly colored in the front direction, and the front hue will tend to be poor when used in an organic EL display device in combination with a circular polarizer or the like.

[0018] It is preferable that Ax and Ay have the same value in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17. If Ax and Ay are different, the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 will have in-plane absorption anisotropy, and when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 is applied to a display device, coloration toward the front hue tends to be significant.

[0019] The larger the value of Ax(z=60°) / Ax in the above formula (3), the better the light absorption anisotropy. Each of these values ​​is independently preferably greater than 5, more preferably 7 or more, even more preferably 10 or more, and preferably 50 or less.

[0020] The optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 that satisfies the relationship of the above formula (3) is considered to have the absorption axis of the dichroic dye oriented perpendicular to its plane, and therefore the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 can effectively absorb light from oblique directions.

[0021] The Ax(z=60°) refers to the oblique absorbance of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 and can be appropriately selected depending on the obliquely leaking light from the display device. Ax(z=60°) is preferably 1.0 or less, more preferably 0.5 or less, and even more preferably 0.3 or less. The lower limit is usually 0.001 or more, may be 0.003 or more, and is 0.01 or more if necessary.

[0022] The optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 satisfying the relationships of the above formulas (1) to (3) can be adjusted, for example, by the thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17, the conditions of the manufacturing process of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17, and the types or contents of the dichroic dye and polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer-forming composition used to obtain the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17.

[0023] The optical laminates 1 to 4 may further include a substrate layer 11 on the side of the horizontal alignment layer 13 opposite to the liquid crystal polarizer 14 side (FIGS. 1 and 2). In this case, the substrate layer 11 and the horizontal alignment layer 13 are preferably in direct contact with each other, or only the second protective layer 12 is provided between the substrate layer 11 and the horizontal alignment layer 13 (FIG. 2). This allows the optical laminates 1 to 4 to be made thinner, and also simplifies the manufacturing process of the optical laminates 1 to 4, as will be described later.

[0024] In the optical laminates 1 to 4, the peel force F0 between the base layer 11 and the horizontal alignment layer 13 when they are in direct contact, or the peel force F0 between the base layer 11 and the second protective layer 12 when only the second protective layer 12 is present between the base layer 11 and the horizontal alignment layer 13 (i.e., the base layer 11 and the second protective layer 12 are in direct contact), is preferably 0.20 N / 25 mm or less, and may be 0.18 N / 25 mm or less, 0.15 N / 25 mm or less, 0.12 N / 25 mm or less, or 0.10 N / 25 mm or less. The peel force F0 may be 0.01 N / 25 mm or more, 0.03 N / 25 mm or more, or 0.05 N / 25 mm or more.

[0025] The optical laminates 1 to 4 are used by being laminated on a member (hereinafter also referred to as a "display device member") that constitutes a display device, such as an image display element or a front panel. When the optical laminates 1 to 4 have a base layer 11, the optical laminates 1 to 4 are laminated on the display device member, and then the base layer 11 is peeled off, so that a laminate portion 10 of the optical laminates 1 to 4 other than the base layer 11 (hereinafter also referred to as a "transferred laminate portion 10") can be transferred to the display device member (FIGS. 1 and 2). When the peel force F0 is within the above range, the base layer 11 can be easily peeled off from the optical laminates 1 to 4. The peel force F0 can be measured by the method described in the examples below.

[0026] In the optical laminates 1 to 4, the peel force F1 between the horizontal alignment layer 13 and the liquid crystal polarizer 14, the peel force F2 between the liquid crystal polarizer 14 and the first protective layer 15, and the peel force F3 between the first protective layer 15 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 are preferably all greater than the peel force F0. Furthermore, the peel forces F1 to F3 are each independently preferably greater than 0.3 N / 25 mm, more preferably 0.5 N / 25 mm or greater, and even more preferably 1.0 N / 25 mm or greater. The peel forces F1 to F3 may each independently be 10 N / 25 mm or less. When the first protective layer 15 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 are in direct contact with each other in the optical laminates 1 to 4, the peel force F3 is the peel force between the first protective layer 15 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17. When only the vertical alignment layer 16 is present between the first protective layer 15 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 in the optical laminates 1 to 4, the peel force F3 is either between the first protective layer 15 and the vertical alignment layer 16 or between the vertical alignment layer 16 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17. When the peel forces F1 to F3 satisfy the above relationship, lifting or peeling between the layers constituting the transfer laminate portion 10 and breakage of the transfer laminate portion 10 can be suppressed when the base layer 11 is peeled from the optical laminates 1 to 4. The peel forces F1 to F3 can be measured by the method described in the Examples below.

[0027] The optical laminates 1 to 4 may further include a third protective layer 18 on the side of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 opposite to the first protective layer 15 (FIGS. 1 to 4). In this case, the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 and the third protective layer 18 are preferably in direct contact with each other. This allows the optical laminates 1 to 4 to be made thinner, and also simplifies the manufacturing process for the optical laminates 1 to 4, as will be described later.

[0028] In the optical laminates 1 to 4, the peel force F4 between the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 and the third protective layer 18 is preferably greater than the peel force F0 and greater than 0.3 N / 25 mm. The peel force F4 is more preferably 0.5 N / 25 mm or greater, and even more preferably 1.0 N / 25 mm or greater. The peel force F4 may be 10 N / 25 mm or less. When the peel force F4 satisfies the above relationship, lifting or peeling between the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 and the third protective layer 18 and breakage of the transfer laminate portion 10 can be suppressed when the base layer 11 is peeled from the optical laminates 1 to 4. The peel force F4 can be measured by the method described in the Examples below.

[0029] In the optical laminates 1 to 4, when only the second protective layer 12 is present between the base layer 11 and the horizontal alignment layer 13 (FIGS. 2 and 4), the peel force F5 between the second protective layer 12 and the horizontal alignment layer 13 is preferably greater than the peel force F0 and greater than 0.3 N / 25 mm. The peel force F5 is more preferably 0.5 N / 25 mm or greater, and even more preferably 1.0 N / 25 mm or greater. The peel force F5 may be 10 N / 25 mm or less. When the peel force F5 satisfies the above relationship, lifting or peeling between the second protective layer 12 and the horizontal alignment layer 13 and breakage of the transfer layer portion 10 can be suppressed when the base layer 11 is peeled from the optical laminates 1 to 4. The peel force F5 can be measured by the method described in the Examples below.

[0030] The optical laminates 3 and 4 may further include a retardation element. The retardation element may be a retardation layer that is a stretched film, or a liquid crystal retardation layer containing a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the optical laminates 3 and 4 may include a first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 on the side of the horizontal alignment layer 13 opposite to the liquid crystal polarizer 14, or a second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 on the side of the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 opposite to the horizontal alignment layer 13. The optical laminates 3 and 4 may be an elliptical polarizer or a circular polarizer (hereinafter, both may be collectively referred to as "elliptical polarizers"), or may be an elliptical polarizer that functions as an antireflection film.

[0031] The optical laminates 3 and 4 preferably do not have a base layer 11. When the optical laminates 3 and 4 have the second protective layer 12 (FIG. 4), the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 may be laminated on the side of the second protective layer 12 opposite to the horizontal alignment layer 13. The first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 may be laminated on the horizontal alignment layer 13 or the second protective layer 12 via a first adhesive layer 21. In this case, it is preferable that the first adhesive layer 21 is in direct contact with the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 and the horizontal alignment layer 13 or the second protective layer 12. The second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 may be laminated on the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 via a second adhesive layer 23. In this case, it is preferable that the second adhesive layer 23 is in direct contact with the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 and the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 or a first alignment layer described later.

[0032] The optical laminates 3 and 4 may have a first alignment layer (not shown) in direct contact with the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22. The first alignment layer can be disposed between the horizontal alignment layer 13 or the second protective layer 12 and the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22. When the optical laminates 3 and 4 have the first adhesive layer 21, the first alignment layer can be disposed between the first adhesive layer 21 and the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22. Alternatively, the first alignment layer may be disposed on the side of the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 opposite to the side of the horizontal alignment layer 13. The optical laminates 3 and 4 may have a second alignment layer (not shown) in direct contact with the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24. The second alignment layer is preferably disposed on the side of the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 opposite to the side of the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22, but may also be disposed on the side of the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 facing the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22.

[0033] When the optical laminates 3 and 4 are elliptically polarizing plates, in order to achieve a high level of anti-reflection function, it is preferable that the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 or the combination of the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 have a λ / 4 plate function (i.e., a π / 2 retardation function) across the entire visible light range. The first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 or the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 may be a λ / 4 liquid crystal retardation layer having a λ / 4 plate function, or a λ / 4 liquid crystal retardation layer with reverse wavelength dispersion. The first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 may be a combination of a λ / 2 liquid crystal retardation layer having a λ / 2 plate function with positive wavelength dispersion and a λ / 4 liquid crystal retardation layer with positive wavelength dispersion. For example, the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 may be a λ / 2 liquid crystal retardation layer with positive wavelength dispersion, and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 may be a λ / 4 liquid crystal retardation layer with positive wavelength dispersion.

[0034] The optical laminates 3 and 4 serving as elliptically polarizing plates may include a positive C plate having anisotropy in the thickness direction from the viewpoint of compensating for the anti-reflection function in oblique directions. In the optical laminates 3 and 4, for example, the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 may be a λ / 4 liquid crystal retardation layer with reverse wavelength dispersion, and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 may be a positive C plate. The optical laminates 3 and 4 may include a positive C plate in addition to the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24.

[0035] The details of each layer included in the optical laminates 1 to 4 will be described later.

[0036] (Method of manufacturing optical laminate) 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views schematically showing the steps of manufacturing an optical laminate according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method for manufacturing the optical laminate is, for example, the method for manufacturing the optical laminates 1 to 4 described above, in which the horizontal alignment layer 13, the liquid crystal polarizer 14, the first protective layer 15, and the light absorption anisotropic layer 17 are laminated in this order.

[0037] As described above, the liquid crystal polarizer 14 contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and has an absorption axis in a direction horizontal to the plane of the liquid crystal polarizer 14. As described above, the light absorption anisotropic layer 17 contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and satisfies the relationships of the above formulas (1) to (3).

[0038] The optical laminates 1 to 4 may further include the above-described base layer 11, second protective layer 12, vertical alignment layer 16, and / or third protective layer 18. The optical laminates 1 to 4 may further include the above-described first liquid crystal retardation layer 22, or may further include the above-described first alignment layer. The optical laminates 1 to 4 may further include the above-described second liquid crystal retardation layer 24, or may further include the above-described second alignment layer. When the optical laminates 3 and 4 include the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 (FIGS. 3 and 4), they may further include a first adhesive layer 21. When the optical laminates 3 and 4 include the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 in addition to the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 (FIGS. 3 and 4), they may further include a second adhesive layer 23.

[0039] The method for producing the optical laminates 1 to 4 includes the steps of: a step of preparing a liquid crystal polarizer with a base layer, in which a base layer 11, a horizontal alignment layer 13, and a liquid crystal polarizer 14 are laminated in this order, and the horizontal alignment layer 13 and the liquid crystal polarizer 14 are in direct contact with each other (FIG. 5(b) and FIG. 6(c)); a step of forming the first protective layer 15 by directly applying a composition for forming the first protective layer 15 onto the liquid crystal polarizer 14 of the liquid crystal polarizer with a base layer (FIG. 5(c) and FIG. 6(d)); and forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer 17 on the first protective layer 15 formed in the step of forming the first protective layer 15, either directly or via a vertical alignment layer 16 (FIG. 5(d) and FIG. 6(f)).

[0040] The step of forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 includes the following step [a1] or [a2]. [a1] A step of directly applying a composition for forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 onto the first protective layer 15, the composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye. [a2] A step of directly applying a composition for forming a vertical alignment layer onto the first protective layer 15 to form a vertical alignment layer 16, and a step of directly applying a composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer onto the vertical alignment layer 16. By the above step [a1], an optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 is formed on the first protective layer 15 (FIG. 5(d)). By the above step [a2], a vertical alignment layer 16 is formed on the first protective layer 15 (FIG. 6(e)), and an optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 is formed on the vertical alignment layer 16 (FIG. 6(f)).

[0041] In the method for producing the optical laminates 1 to 4, the first protective layer 15 is formed so as to be in direct contact with the liquid crystal polarizer 14, and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 is formed on the first protective layer 15 directly or via the vertical alignment layer 16 by the above-mentioned step [a1] or [a2]. Therefore, it is possible to produce optical laminates 1 and 3 in which the liquid crystal polarizer 14 and the first protective layer 15 are in direct contact with each other and the first protective layer 15 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 are also in direct contact with each other, or optical laminates 2 and 4 in which the liquid crystal polarizer 14 and the first protective layer 15 are in direct contact with each other and only the vertical alignment layer 16 is provided between the first protective layer 15 and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17. This allows the optical laminates 1 to 4 to be thinned and simplifies the production process for the optical laminates 1 to 4.

[0042] The step of preparing a polarizer with a base layer may include the following step [b1] or [b2]. [b1] A process of directly applying a composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer 13 onto the substrate layer 11, and a process of directly applying a composition for forming a liquid crystal polarizer 14 onto the horizontal alignment layer 13, the composition including a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye. [b2] A process of directly applying a composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer onto the second protective layer 12 formed so as to be in direct contact with the base layer 11, and a process of directly applying a composition for forming a liquid crystal polarizer onto the horizontal alignment layer 13. In the above step [b1], a horizontal alignment layer 13 is formed on the substrate layer 11 (FIG. 5(a)), and a liquid crystal polarizer 14 is formed on this horizontal alignment layer 13 (FIG. 5(b)). As a result, optical laminates 1 and 3 are obtained in which the substrate layer 11 and the horizontal alignment layer 13 are in direct contact with each other, and the horizontal alignment layer 13 and the liquid crystal polarizer 14 are in direct contact with each other. In addition, in the above step [b2], a horizontal alignment layer 13 is formed on the second protective layer 12 formed on the substrate layer 11 (FIG. 6(b)), and a liquid crystal polarizer 14 is formed on this horizontal alignment layer 13 (FIG. 6(c)). As a result, optical laminates 2 and 4 are obtained in which only the second protective layer 12 is between the substrate layer 11 and the horizontal alignment layer 13, and the horizontal alignment layer 13 and the liquid crystal polarizer 14 are in direct contact with each other.

[0043] The above step [b2] may further include a step of directly applying a composition for forming a second protective layer 12 onto the base layer 11 to form the second protective layer 12 (Figure 6 (a)).

[0044] The method for producing the optical laminates 1 to 4 may further include a step of directly applying a composition for forming a third protective layer 18 to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 opposite to the first protective layer 15. This makes it possible to obtain the optical laminates 1 to 4 in which the optically absorptive anisotropic layer 17 and the third protective layer 18 are in direct contact with each other.

[0045] The method for producing the optical laminates 1 to 4 may further include a step of peeling off the base layer 11 after the step of forming the lightly absorbing anisotropic layer 17, for example, after obtaining the optical laminates 1 and 2. The step of peeling off the base layer 11 may be performed after laminating an adhesive sheet on the surface of the optical laminates 1 and 2 opposite to the base layer 11 side. The adhesive sheet is a sheet obtained by laminating a separator releasably laminated on an adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer side is attached to the optical laminates 1 and 2.

[0046] The method for producing the optical laminates 3 and 4 may further include a step of providing the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22, or the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24, on the liquid crystal polarizer 14 or the second protective layer 12 of the optical laminates 1 and 2 (hereinafter, this step may also be referred to as a "step of forming a retardation element"). In this case, the step of peeling off the base layer 11 is preferably performed between the step of forming the light absorption anisotropic layer 17 and the step of forming the retardation element.

[0047] When the optical laminates 3 and 4 have the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24, the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 may be sequentially provided on the liquid crystal polarizer 14 or the second protective layer 12 of the optical laminates 1 and 2. Alternatively, after preparing a laminate of the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24, this laminate may be attached to the horizontal alignment layer 13 or the second protective layer 12 of the optical laminates 1 and 2. The first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 and the second liquid crystal retardation layer 24 may be laminated via the second adhesive layer 23, or the second alignment layer and the second liquid crystal retardation layer may be formed in this order on the first liquid crystal retardation layer 22 or the first alignment layer.

[0048] The layers of the optical laminate and the components contained in the layers will be described in detail below.

[0049] (horizontal alignment layer) The horizontal alignment layer has an alignment control force that can align the polymerizable liquid crystal compound in the liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition for forming the liquid crystal polarizer in a direction horizontal to the plane of the liquid crystal polarizer. In this specification, "the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is horizontally aligned" means that the long axis of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is aligned horizontally, and the horizontal direction means 0°±20° to the plane of the liquid crystal polarizer. The state of liquid crystal alignment varies depending on the properties of the horizontal alignment layer and the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and the combination thereof can be selected arbitrarily.

[0050] Examples of the horizontal alignment layer include a polymer alignment layer formed from an alignment polymer, a photo-alignment layer formed from a photo-alignment polymer, and a groove alignment layer having a concavo-convex pattern or a plurality of grooves on the layer surface. The horizontal alignment layer is preferably a photo-alignment layer from the viewpoint of the precision and quality of the alignment angle. Examples of the above-mentioned alignment layers constituting the horizontal alignment layer include those described below for the vertical alignment layer.

[0051] The thickness of the horizontal alignment layer is usually in the range of 10 nm to 10,000 nm, preferably 10 nm to 2,500 nm, more preferably 10 nm to 1,000 nm, even more preferably 10 nm to 500 nm, and particularly preferably 20 nm to 250 nm. The thickness of the horizontal alignment layer can be measured using a laser microscope, an ellipsometer, or the like.

[0052] The composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer is preferably a composition for forming a photo-alignment layer, and contains a photo-alignment polymer, a photo-alignment oligomer, or a photo-alignment monomer, which is a polymer having a photo-reactive group. Examples of the photo-reactive group include those described in the vertical alignment layer below.

[0053] The molecular weight of the photoalignable polymer is preferably 10,000 or more and 1,000,000 or less, more preferably 15,000 or more, even more preferably 20,000 or more, and more preferably 500,000 or less, even more preferably 250,000 or less, in terms of polystyrene, as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). When the weight average molecular weight of the photoalignable polymer is within the above range, solvent resistance is improved, and a horizontal alignment layer exhibiting excellent liquid crystal alignment ability is easily obtained while ensuring high adhesion to a liquid crystal polarizer that will be formed later on the horizontal alignment layer.

[0054] The photo-alignable polymer is more preferably a (meth)acrylic polymer. In particular, when the polymerizable liquid crystal compound forming the liquid crystal polarizer has a (meth)acryloyl group as a polymerizable group, if the photo-alignable polymer is a (meth)acrylic polymer, it is expected to have excellent affinity and improve the adhesion between the liquid crystal polarizer and the horizontal alignment layer. In this specification, polymers in which the proportion of structural units based on a (meth)acrylic structure, such as (meth)acrylic acid ester units or (meth)acrylamide units, is the highest among all structural units constituting the polymer main chain are collectively referred to as "meth(acrylic) polymers."

[0055] The content of the photo-alignable polymer in the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer can be appropriately determined depending on the type of photo-alignable polymer used, the desired thickness of the horizontal alignment layer, etc. There are no particular limitations on the amount of the photo-alignable polymer used as long as it is completely soluble, but the content (concentration) is preferably 1.0 to 25.0 mass %, more preferably 2.5 to 22.5 mass %, based on the total mass of the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer. The composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer may contain only one type of photo-alignable polymer, or two or more types in combination, but when two or more types are contained, it is preferable that the total content thereof is within the above range.

[0056] The composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer may contain, in addition to the photoalignable polymer, a compound having an active hydrogen reactive group (hereinafter also referred to as "compound (AH)"). In this specification, "active hydrogen reactive group" means a group that is reactive with a group having active hydrogen, such as a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydroxyl group (-OH), an amino group (-NH2), or a mercapto group (-SH). When a horizontal alignment layer is formed from a composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer containing compound (AH), it is easy to control the adhesion between the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer and the layer to be coated (in this embodiment, the substrate layer or the second protective layer), and the adhesion between the layer to be coated and the horizontal alignment layer can be improved.

[0057] Examples of the active hydrogen reactive group include an epoxy group, a glycidyl group, an oxazoline group, a carbodiimide group, an aziridine group, an imide group, an alkoxysilyl group, an isocyanate group, a thioisocyanate group, a maleic anhydride group, etc. Among these, from the viewpoint of adhesion, it is preferable that the compound (AH) has at least one group selected from the group consisting of an alkoxysilyl group and an isocyanate group, and it is more preferable that the compound (AH) has an alkoxysilyl group.

[0058] The number of active hydrogen reactive groups possessed by the compound (AH) is at least 1. When a plurality of active hydrogen reactive groups are present, the plurality of active hydrogen reactive groups present may be the same or different.

[0059] It is preferable that the compound (AH) further has an active hydrogen-containing group in addition to the active hydrogen-reactive group. In this specification, the term "active hydrogen-containing group" means a functional group containing active hydrogen. When the compound (AH) has an active hydrogen-containing group, the adhesion between the horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer can be improved.

[0060] Examples of the active hydrogen-containing group include a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, a mercapto group, a primary amide group, a secondary amide group, a hydrazide group, etc. Among these, from the viewpoints of reactivity, adhesion, etc., it is preferable that the compound (AH) has at least one group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, an amino group, and a mercapto group, and it is more preferable that the compound (AH) has at least one of an amino group and a mercapto group.

[0061] The number of active hydrogen-containing groups possessed by the compound (AH) is at least 1. When a plurality of active hydrogen-containing groups are present, the plurality of active hydrogen-containing groups may be the same or different.

[0062] The compound (AH) is, for example, a silane coupling agent. When a silane coupling agent is used as the compound (AH), it becomes easier to control the adhesion between the horizontal alignment layer and the layer to be coated with the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer and / or the liquid crystal polarizer. The silane coupling agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0063] As the silane coupling agent, compounds known in the art can be used, specifically, nonionic silane compounds which will be described later as alignment promoters that may be contained in the composition for forming an optical absorption anisotropy.

[0064] When compound (AH) is a silane coupling agent, the silane coupling agent preferably has an active hydrogen-containing group. Specifically, it more preferably has at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of amino groups (primary and secondary), hydroxyl groups, and mercapto groups, more preferably a primary amino group or a secondary amino group, and even more preferably a compound containing Si element having at least one of the functional groups and at least one alkoxysilyl group or silanol group. The amino groups (primary and secondary), hydroxyl groups, and mercapto groups have polarity, and by appropriately selecting these functional groups, the adhesion between the resulting horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer can be controlled. From this perspective, it is preferable that the silane coupling agent has an alkoxysilyl group and at least one of the functional groups. The functional group may have an appropriate substituent or protective group to control the reactivity of the silane coupling agent. Examples of silane coupling agents having a protecting group include KBE-9103P (ketimine type) and X-12-1172ES (aldimine type) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. as amino group protected types, and X-12-1056ES as mercapto group protected types.

[0065] The content of compound (AH) in the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer can be appropriately determined depending on the type of compound (AH), the type and surface condition of the layer to be coated with the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer, the composition of the liquid crystal polarizer, etc. The content of compound (AH) is, for example, preferably 1 part by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, more preferably 2.5 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, even more preferably 5.0 parts by mass or more, and more preferably 23 parts by mass or less, relative to 100 parts by mass of the photoalignable polymer. When the content of compound (AH) is within the above range, it can be expected that the adhesion between the horizontal alignment layer and the layer to be coated and / or the liquid crystal polarizer can be improved.

[0066] The composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer typically contains a solvent. The solvent is not particularly limited as long as it can dissolve the components contained in the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer. Examples of the solvent include water; alcohol solvents such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, methyl cellosolve, butyl cellosolve, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether; ester solvents such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, γ-butyrolactone, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, and ethyl lactate; ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, methyl amyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone; aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents such as pentane, hexane, and heptane; aromatic hydrocarbon solvents such as toluene and xylene; nitrile solvents such as acetonitrile; ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and dimethoxyethane; and chlorine-substituted hydrocarbon solvents such as chloroform and chlorobenzene. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0067] In addition to the above-mentioned components, the composition for forming the horizontal alignment layer may contain any other components as long as the properties of the horizontal alignment layer are not significantly impaired. Examples of such components include polymer materials and photosensitizers.

[0068] The composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer can be prepared, for example, by dissolving a photo-alignable polymer (or an oligomer or monomer capable of constituting the photo-alignable polymer), compound (AH), and, if necessary, other components in a solvent. The horizontal alignment layer, which is a photo-alignment layer, can be formed using the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer by the method described below in the section on the vertical alignment layer.

[0069] (Liquid crystal polarizer) A liquid crystal polarizer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and has an absorption axis parallel to the plane of liquid crystal polarization. When unpolarized light is incident on a liquid crystal polarizer, it has the property of transmitting linearly polarized light with a vibration plane perpendicular to the absorption axis. A liquid crystal polarizer has an absorption axis in-plane and a transmission axis perpendicular to it, and has the property of absorbing polarized components parallel to the absorption axis and transmitting polarized components parallel to the transmission axis. A liquid crystal polarizer can exhibit polarizing function by anisotropic absorption of light by the dichroic dye encapsulated in the polymer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0070] The liquid crystal polarizer is a liquid crystal cured film obtained by applying a liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition to a substrate layer or a second protective layer formed on the substrate layer, and polymerizing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound in a state in which the dichroic dye contained in the liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition is aligned. The dichroic dye and the polymer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal polarizer are aligned horizontally relative to the plane of the liquid crystal polarizer.

[0071] The thickness of the liquid crystal polarizer is preferably 0.1 μm to 5 μm, more preferably 0.3 μm to 4 μm, and even more preferably 0.5 μm to 3 μm. If the thickness is smaller than this range, the required light absorption may not be obtained, and if the thickness is larger than this range, the alignment control force of the horizontal alignment layer decreases, and alignment defects tend to occur easily.

[0072] The liquid crystal polarizer preferably has a dichroic ratio (A1 / A2) of the absorbance A1(λ) in the alignment direction for light of wavelength λ [nm] to the absorbance A2(λ) in the direction perpendicular to the in-plane of the alignment direction, of 7 or more, more preferably 20 or more, and even more preferably 40 or more. The larger the dichroic ratio, the better the absorption selectivity. Depending on the type of dichroic dye, the dichroic ratio is about 5 to 10 when the liquid crystal polarizer is cured in a nematic liquid crystal phase state.

[0073] By mixing two or more dichroic dyes with different absorption wavelengths, it is possible to produce liquid crystal polarizers with various hues, and liquid crystal polarizers with absorption across the entire visible light range can be produced. Liquid crystal polarizers with such absorption properties can be used in a variety of applications.

[0074] Examples of dichroic dyes used in liquid crystal polarizers include dichroic dyes used in forming the light absorption anisotropic layer described below. The dichroic dye is preferably an azo dye. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound may be a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound, a discotic liquid crystal compound, or a mixture thereof. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound may be a thermotropic liquid crystal compound exhibiting a nematic liquid crystal phase, or a thermotropic liquid crystal compound exhibiting a smectic liquid crystal phase. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound may also be a polymerizable liquid crystal compound used in forming the light absorption anisotropic layer described below.

[0075] (1st protective layer, 2nd protective layer, 3rd protective layer) The first protective layer, the second protective layer, and the third protective layer (hereinafter, these are also collectively referred to as "protective layers") are cured resin layers, and are preferably resin layers other than adhesive layers. The adhesive layer is a layer for bonding two preformed (molded) layers together, whereas the protective layer is not a layer for bonding two preformed (molded) layers together. When the adhesive layer is a cured resin layer, an adhesive layer is formed between the two layers by disposing an adhesive (an adhesive layer before curing) between the two layers to be laminated and then curing the adhesive. On the other hand, when a protective layer is provided between the two layers to be laminated, at least one of the two layers is formed on the protective layer after curing a protective layer-forming composition for forming the protective layer (i.e., after forming the protective layer). The protective layer is preferably a coating layer formed by coating on a layer constituting the optical laminate.

[0076] The first and second protective layers can suppress the diffusion of the dichroic dye contained in the liquid crystal polarizer and prevent damage to the liquid crystal polarizer. The first protective layer is preferably a coating layer formed by coating on the liquid crystal polarizer. The second protective layer is preferably a coating layer formed by coating on the substrate layer.

[0077] The third protective layer can suppress the diffusion of the dichroic dye contained in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer and prevent damage to the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. The third protective layer is preferably a coating layer formed on the optically absorptive anisotropic layer by coating.

[0078] The first protective layer can be formed from a first protective layer-forming composition, the second protective layer from a second protective layer-forming composition, and the third protective layer from a third protective layer-forming composition (hereinafter, the first protective layer-forming composition, the second protective layer-forming composition, and the third protective layer-forming composition are collectively referred to as "protective layer-forming compositions"). Examples of protective layer-forming compositions include a layer formed from a resin composition containing a water-soluble polymer (hereinafter, also referred to as a "water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition"), a photocurable composition containing a photocurable resin, etc. Water-soluble polymers generally have a polarity significantly different from that of dichroic dyes and are therefore excellent at preventing the diffusion of dichroic dyes. Therefore, the protective layer is preferably a layer formed from a water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition.

[0079] The refractive index of the protective layer can be adjusted, for example, by the type of polymer contained in the protective layer-forming composition. The refractive index of the protective layer may be selected in consideration of the refractive indexes of the layers contained in the optical laminate (e.g., the horizontal alignment layer, the liquid crystal polarizer, and the light absorption anisotropic layer) in order to change the light transmittance of the optical laminate.

[0080] Examples of water-soluble polymers include polyacrylamide polymers, vinyl alcohol polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, and (meth)acrylic acid or its anhydride-vinyl alcohol copolymers, carboxyvinyl polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, starches, sodium alginate, polyethylene oxide polymers, water-soluble polyamide epoxy resins, etc. These polymers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0081] When the protective layer is a layer formed from a water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition, the content of the water-soluble polymer in the layer is preferably 75% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, and even more preferably 85% by mass or more.

[0082] When the protective layer is a layer formed from a water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition, a crosslinking structure may be introduced by using a crosslinking agent to increase the density of the layer. Examples of the crosslinking agent include water-soluble crosslinking agents such as ionic crosslinking agents such as glyoxylate salts and epoxy crosslinking agents; and hydrophobic crosslinking agents for imparting water resistance, such as isocyanate crosslinking agents, polyaldehyde crosslinking agents such as glyoxal and glyoxal derivatives, and metal compound crosslinking agents such as zirconium chloride or titanium lactate crosslinking agents.

[0083] The amount of crosslinking agent added may be determined appropriately depending on the type of crosslinking agent, etc. For example, it may be 0.1 to 100 parts by mass, preferably 1 to 50 parts by mass, and more preferably 10 to 30 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the water-soluble polymer. When the content of the crosslinking agent is within the above range, a dense protective layer can be formed.

[0084] The water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition is usually prepared as a solution in which the water-soluble polymer is dissolved in a solvent. The solvent may be selected depending on the water-soluble polymer used, but typical examples include water, alcohol, a mixture of water and alcohol, and the like, with water being preferred.

[0085] The solids concentration of the water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition obtained by adding a solvent to the components constituting the protective layer, such as the water-soluble polymer and crosslinking agent, is preferably 1 to 50 mass %, more preferably 2 to 30 mass %, and even more preferably 3 to 15 mass %. When the solids concentration of the water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition is within the above range, the viscosity of the composition is low, resulting in good coatability and handleability.

[0086] The water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition may contain other components such as additives in addition to the water-soluble polymer, crosslinking agent, and solvent such as water. Examples of other components include preservatives and leveling agents. When the water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition contains other components such as additives, the amount of such components is preferably 10% by mass or less, more preferably 5% by mass or less, based on the solid content of the resin composition.

[0087] A water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition prepared by dissolving necessary components such as a water-soluble polymer and a crosslinking agent in a solvent can be applied to the surface of a substrate layer, a liquid crystal polarizer, or an optically absorptive anisotropic layer, and the solvent in the coating film can be dried and removed, followed by curing, to form a protective layer.

[0088] The method for applying the water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method for applying a composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer, which will be described later.

[0089] The drying temperature and time for forming a protective layer from a coating film of the water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition are not particularly limited and may be appropriately determined depending on the composition of the water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition used. The drying treatment can be carried out, for example, by blowing hot air, and the temperature is usually within a range of 40 to 100° C., preferably 60 to 100° C. The drying time is usually 10 to 600 seconds.

[0090] Examples of the photocurable resin contained in the photocurable composition include (meth)acrylic resins, urethane resins, (meth)acrylic urethane resins, epoxy resins, and silicone resins. The photocurable resin is preferably an epoxy resin.

[0091] The photocurable composition may be a cationic curable composition containing a cationic polymerizable compound and a photocationic polymerization initiator. Examples of the cationic polymerizable compound include an alicyclic epoxy compound, an aromatic epoxy compound, and an oxetane compound having an oxetanyl group.

[0092] The photocurable composition may be a curable composition such as a hard coat composition. The hard coat composition is preferably a composition containing an ultraviolet curable resin. The composition containing an ultraviolet curable resin preferably contains a (meth)acrylic compound as a curable component, and the hard coat layer, which is a cured product layer of the hard coat composition, is preferably formed from a (meth)acrylic resin. The (meth)acrylic compound is a compound having at least one (meth)acryloyl group, and may be a monomer, oligomer, or polymer.

[0093] Examples of (meth)acrylic compounds include (meth)acrylate compounds such as monofunctional (meth)acrylate compounds and polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compounds; urethane (meth)acrylate compounds such as polyfunctional urethane (meth)acrylate compounds; epoxy (meth)acrylate compounds such as polyfunctional epoxy (meth)acrylate compounds; carboxyl group-modified epoxy (meth)acrylate compounds; and polyester (meth)acrylate compounds. These compounds may be used alone or in combination. Among these, polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compounds or urethane (meth)acrylate compounds are preferred, and a combination of a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compound and a urethane (meth)acrylate is more preferred.

[0094] The content of the polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compound is preferably 50 parts by mass or more and 100 parts by mass or less, more preferably 60 parts by mass or more and 95 parts by mass or less, and even more preferably 70 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less, relative to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the photocurable composition. In this specification, the solid content of the photocurable composition refers to the total amount of components excluding the solvent when the photocurable composition contains a solvent.

[0095] The photocurable composition may contain a polymerization initiator in addition to the curable component. Examples of the polymerization initiator include a photopolymerization initiator and a radical polymerization initiator, and known polymerization initiators can be used. Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include a photocationic polymerization initiator.

[0096] The composition of the photocurable composition (e.g., curable components) is preferably selected so as to reduce the difference in refractive index between the protective layer obtained by curing the photocurable composition and layers adjacent to the protective layer, such as the liquid crystal polarizer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. Since the refractive indexes of the liquid crystal polarizer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer are, for example, 1.5 to 1.7, it is generally preferable to select the refractive index of the first protective layer adjacent to both of these layers so that it is within ±0.05 of the refractive indexes of the liquid crystal polarizer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer.

[0097] The photocurable composition can be applied to, for example, the surface of a substrate layer, a liquid crystal polarizer, or a light absorption anisotropic layer, and then irradiated with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays, thereby polymerizing and curing the curable components such as (meth)acrylic compounds.

[0098] The hard coat layer, which is a cured product layer of the hard coat composition, preferably exhibits a value of 8B or harder in the pencil hardness test (measured by placing the film substrate on a glass plate) specified in JIS K 5600-5-4:1999 "General test methods for paints - Part 5: Mechanical properties of coating films - Section 4: Scratch hardness (pencil method)" and may be 5B or harder.

[0099] The photocurable composition can be applied to the surface of a substrate layer, a liquid crystal polarizer, or an optically absorptive anisotropic layer, for example, and then irradiated with active energy rays to form a protective layer. The surface of the substrate layer, the liquid crystal polarizer, the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, or the like, on which the protective layer is to be formed, may be subjected to a surface treatment. Examples of the surface treatment method include corona treatment or plasma treatment under an atmosphere from vacuum to atmospheric pressure, laser treatment, ozone treatment, and flame treatment.

[0100] The thickness of the protective layer is preferably from 0.05 μm to 15 μm, and may be from 0.1 μm to 12 μm, preferably from 0.5 μm to 10 μm, and more preferably from 1 μm to 5 μm.

[0101] (light absorption anisotropic layer) The optically absorptive anisotropic layer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye. The optically absorptive anisotropic layer may contain a polymer of one type of polymerizable liquid crystal compound, or may contain polymers of two or more types of polymerizable liquid crystal compounds. The optically absorptive anisotropic layer may contain one type of dichroic dye, or may contain two or more types of dichroic dyes.

[0102] The optically absorptive anisotropic layer can be formed using a composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye. The composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer can contain, as solid components, in addition to the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye, a non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group, and additives such as a polymerization initiator, a leveling agent, an alignment promoter, a reactive additive, an antioxidant, and a photosensitizer, as described below. Therefore, the optically absorptive anisotropic layer may contain a polymer of a non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group and additives.

[0103] The polymerizable liquid crystal compound is preferably a liquid crystal compound that forms a smectic phase. A polymer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound may or may not exhibit liquid crystallinity. The light-absorbing anisotropic layer can be formed from a light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and may be a liquid crystal cured film (a cured layer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound) formed by polymerizing and curing the polymerizable liquid crystal compound in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition. The polymer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is formed by polymerizing polymerizable liquid crystal compounds together, but a non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group may also be polymerized to the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, or a dichroic dye may also be polymerized to the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0104] The content of the polymerized liquid crystal compound in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is preferably 40 to 99.9 parts by weight, or alternatively 60 to 99 parts by weight, or even 70 to 99 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. When the content of the polymerized liquid crystal compound is within the above range, the orientation of the polymerized liquid crystal compound tends to be high when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is formed. The content of the polymerized liquid crystal compound in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer can be calculated as the ratio of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound (the total amount when two or more types are included) to 100 parts by weight of the solid content of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer-forming composition used to form the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. The solid content of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer-forming composition refers to all components of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer-forming composition excluding volatile components such as organic solvents.

[0105] The content of the dichroic dye in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is preferably 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, and may be 0.5 to 20 parts by mass, 1 to 10 parts by mass, or 1 to 5 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. The content of the dichroic dye in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer can be calculated as the ratio of the dichroic dye to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer-forming composition. When the optically absorptive anisotropic layer contains two or more dichroic dyes, the content of the dichroic dyes refers to the total amount.

[0106] The thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is preferably from 0.2 μm to 5.0 μm, more preferably from 0.5 μm to 4.0 μm, and even more preferably from 0.5 μm to 3.0 μm. If the thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is small, the absorption of light from oblique directions tends to be weak, while if the thickness is large, the orientation of the dichroic dye tends to be disturbed, which tends to reduce the transmission characteristics in the front direction.

[0107] When the optical laminate has a third protective layer, the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer opposite to the first protective layer may be subjected to a surface treatment, such as corona treatment or plasma treatment under a vacuum to atmospheric pressure, laser treatment, ozone treatment, or flame treatment.

[0108] (Polymerizable liquid crystal compound) The polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the composition for forming the light absorption anisotropic layer is used to align the dichroic dye through host-guest interaction. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound has one or more polymerizable groups in the molecule and has liquid crystal properties.

[0109] The polymerizable group refers to a group that participates in a polymerization reaction, and is preferably a photopolymerizable group. Here, the photopolymerizable group refers to a group that can participate in a polymerization reaction by an active radical or acid generated from a photopolymerization initiator, which will be described later. Examples of the polymerizable group include a vinyl group, a vinyloxy group, a 1-chlorovinyl group, an isopropenyl group, a 4-vinylphenyl group, a (meth)acryloyl group, a (meth)acryloyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group. Among these, a (meth)acryloyl group, a (meth)acryloyloxy group, a vinyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group are preferred, with a (meth)acryloyl group and a (meth)acryloyloxy group being more preferred. The liquid crystallinity may be either a thermotropic liquid crystal or a lyotropic liquid crystal, but when mixed with the above-mentioned dichroic dye, a thermotropic liquid crystal is preferred.

[0110] When a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound is formed by a polymerization reaction and a film containing the polymer and a dichroic dye exhibits optical absorption anisotropy, the liquid crystal state exhibited by the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is a smectic phase, preferably a higher-order smectic phase, from the viewpoint of high optical performance. Among these, higher-order smectic polymerizable liquid crystal compounds that form a smectic B phase, a smectic D phase, a smectic E phase, a smectic F phase, a smectic G phase, a smectic H phase, a smectic I phase, a smectic J phase, a smectic K phase, or a smectic L phase are more preferred, and higher-order smectic polymerizable liquid crystal compounds that form a smectic B phase, a smectic F phase, or a smectic I phase are even more preferred. When the liquid crystal phase formed by the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is one of these higher-order smectic phases, an optical absorption anisotropy layer with higher optical absorption anisotropy can be produced. Such an optically absorptive anisotropic layer exhibits high optical absorption anisotropy properties, and Bragg peaks derived from higher-order structures such as hexatic and crystalline phases are obtained in X-ray diffraction measurements. The Bragg peaks are peaks derived from the periodic structure of molecular orientation, and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer can have a periodic spacing of 3 to 6 Å. The optically absorptive anisotropic layer preferably contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound oriented in a smectic phase, from the viewpoint of obtaining higher optical absorption anisotropy properties.

[0111] The polymerizable liquid crystal compound may be a monomer, an oligomer in which a polymerizable group is polymerized, or a polymer. As such a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, known compounds can be used, such as those described in JP-A-2020-76920 and JP-A-6728581.

[0112] (dichroic dye) The dichroic dye is a dye that has different absorbance in the direction of the long axis of the molecule and in the direction of the short axis of the molecule. The dichroic dye preferably has the property of absorbing visible light, and more preferably has a maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) in the wavelength range of 380 to 680 nm.

[0113] Examples of such dichroic dyes include acridine dyes, oxazine dyes, cyanine dyes, naphthalene dyes, azo dyes, and anthraquinone dyes, with azo dyes being preferred. Examples of azo dyes include monoazo dyes, bisazo dyes, trisazo dyes, tetrakisazo dyes, and stilbene azo dyes, with bisazo dyes and trisazo dyes being preferred. The dichroic dyes may be used alone or in combination of two or more, but it is preferred to use two or more in combination depending on the wavelength range in which light absorption anisotropy is required in the light absorption anisotropic layer.

[0114] The azo dye includes a compound represented by formula (I) (hereinafter also referred to as "compound (I)"). K 1 (-N=NK 2 ) p -N=NK 3 (I) [In formula (I), K 1 and K. 3 represent, independently of each other, an optionally substituted phenyl group, an optionally substituted naphthyl group, or an optionally substituted monovalent heterocyclic group. K 2 represents an optionally substituted p-phenylene group, an optionally substituted naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, or an optionally substituted divalent heterocyclic group. p represents an integer of 1 to 4; When p is an integer equal to or greater than 2, multiple K 2 may be the same or different from each other. The —N═N— bond may be replaced with a —C═C—, —COO—, —NHCO—, or —N═CH— bond as long as absorption in the visible region is exhibited.]

[0115] Examples of monovalent heterocyclic groups include groups in which one hydrogen atom has been removed from a heterocyclic compound such as quinoline, thiazole, benzothiazole, thienothiazole, imidazole, benzimidazole, oxazole, benzoxazole, etc. Examples of divalent heterocyclic groups include groups in which two hydrogen atoms have been removed from the above heterocyclic compounds.

[0116] K 1 and K. 3 Phenyl, naphthyl and monovalent heterocyclic groups in 2 Examples of the substituent that the p-phenylene group, naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, and divalent heterocyclic group in the formula (I) may optionally have include an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, or a butoxy group; a fluorinated alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as a trifluoromethyl group; a cyano group; a nitro group; a halogen atom; and a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, such as an amino group, a diethylamino group, or a pyrrolidino group (a substituted amino group refers to an amino group having one or two alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an amino group in which two substituted alkyl groups are bonded to each other to form an alkanediyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. An unsubstituted amino group is -NH2).

[0117] Among the compounds (I), compounds represented by any one of formulas (I-1) to (I-8) are preferred, compounds represented by any one of formulas (I-1) to (I-3) are more preferred, and compounds represented by any one of formulas (I-1) and (I-3) are even more preferred. [ka] [In formulas (I-1) to (I-8), B 1 ~B 30 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group (the definitions of a substituted amino group and an unsubstituted amino group are as defined above), a chlorine atom, or a trifluoromethyl group. n1 to n4 each independently represent an integer of 0 to 3. If n1 is 2 or more, multiple B 2 may be the same or different from each other, If n2 is 2 or more, multiple B 6 may be the same or different from each other, If n3 is 2 or more, multiple B 9may be the same or different from each other, If n4 is 2 or more, multiple B 14 may be the same or different.]

[0118] The anthraquinone dye is preferably a compound represented by formula (I-9). [ka] [In formula (I-9), R 1 ~R 8 are, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom, -R x , -NH2, -NHR x , -NR x 2, -SR x or a halogen atom. R x represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.]

[0119] The oxazone dye is preferably a compound represented by formula (I-10). [ka] [In formula (I-10), R 9 ~R 15 are, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom, -R x , -NH2, -NHR x , -NR x 2, -SR x or a halogen atom. R x represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.]

[0120] The acridine dye is preferably a compound represented by formula (I-11). [ka] [In formula (I-11), R16 ~R 23 are, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom, -R x , -NH2, -NHR x , -NR x 2, -SR x or a halogen atom. R x represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.]

[0121] In formula (I-9), formula (I-10) and formula (I-11), R x Examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a pentyl group, and a hexyl group, and examples of the aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms include a phenyl group, a toluyl group, a xylyl group, and a naphthyl group.

[0122] As the cyanine dye, compounds represented by formula (I-12) and compounds represented by formula (I-13) are preferred. [ka] [In formula (I-12), D 1 and D 2 represent, independently of each other, a group represented by any one of formulae (I-12a) to (I-12d). [ka] n5 represents an integer from 1 to 3.

[0123] [ka] [In formula (I-13), D 3 and D 4 represent, independently of each other, a group represented by any one of formulae (I-13a) to (I-13h). [ka] n6 represents an integer from 1 to 3.

[0124] Among these dichroic dyes, azo dyes are preferred from the viewpoint of alignment.

[0125] The content of the dichroic dye in the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (the total amount when two or more types are included) is usually 1 to 60 parts by mass, preferably 1 to 40 parts by mass, and more preferably 1 to 20 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, from the viewpoint of obtaining good light absorption properties. If the content of the dichroic dye is less than this range, light absorption will be insufficient and sufficient light absorption anisotropy properties will not be obtained, whereas if the content is greater than this range, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound may be hindered.

[0126] (Method for forming optically absorptive anisotropic layer) The optically absorptive anisotropic layer can be formed, for example, by applying a composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer onto a first protective layer formed on a liquid crystal polarizer. The composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer contains a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and may also contain a non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group, a solvent, an additive, etc., as described below.

[0127] The coating layer formed by coating the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer is subjected to a drying treatment to remove the solvent, etc. The coating layer after the drying treatment is irradiated with active energy rays or the like to polymerize the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, thereby forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer as a cured product layer (liquid crystal cured film) of the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer on the first protective layer. The composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer may be applied to the surface of the first protective layer, or may be applied to the surface of a vertical alignment layer formed on the surface of the first protective layer.

[0128] Examples of a method for applying the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer include known methods such as spin coating, extrusion, gravure coating, die coating, bar coating, and applicator methods, and printing methods such as flexography.

[0129] It is preferable to perform a drying treatment on the coating layer of the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer formed on the first protective layer. When the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer contains a solvent, the solvent in the coating layer can be removed by drying the coating layer. Examples of drying methods include known methods, such as one or more of natural drying, heat drying, ventilation drying, and reduced pressure drying.

[0130] The drying conditions in the drying treatment can be appropriately determined depending on the components contained in the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer. For example, the drying temperature in the drying treatment may be 50°C or higher and 150°C or lower, or 60°C or higher and 120°C or lower. The drying time in the drying treatment may be 15 seconds or higher and 10 minutes or lower, or 0.5 minutes or higher and 5 minutes or lower.

[0131] When a heat treatment is performed in the drying process, the composition for forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the liquid crystal phase transition temperature at which the polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the composition for forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer undergoes a phase transition, thereby orienting the polymerizable liquid crystal compound while removing the solvent in the coating layer. In particular, when a polymerizable liquid crystal compound that forms a smectic phase is to be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, it is preferable to heat the composition in a temperature range where the polymerizable liquid crystal compound transitions to a smectic phase. This allows the polymerizable liquid crystal compound to be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, and the dichroic dye can also be aligned along with the alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0132] After drying the coating layer formed on the first protective layer, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye are oriented, and then irradiated with active energy rays to polymerize and harden the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, thereby forming a light absorption anisotropic layer.

[0133] Photopolymerization is a preferred method for polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. Photopolymerization is carried out by irradiating a laminate structure including a coating layer in which a composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer is coated on a first protective layer with active energy rays. The active energy rays to be irradiated are appropriately selected depending on the type of polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the coating layer (particularly the type of photopolymerizable functional group possessed by the polymerizable liquid crystal compound), and the type and amount of photopolymerization initiator, if any. Specific examples include one or more types of light selected from the group consisting of visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared light, X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, and γ-rays. Among these, ultraviolet light is preferred because it is easy to control the progress of the polymerization reaction and photopolymerization equipment widely used in the field can be used. It is preferable to select the type of polymerizable liquid crystal compound so that it can be photopolymerized by ultraviolet light.

[0134] Examples of light sources for actinic rays include low-pressure mercury lamps, medium-pressure mercury lamps, high-pressure mercury lamps, ultra-high-pressure mercury lamps, xenon lamps, halogen lamps, carbon arc lamps, tungsten lamps, gallium lamps, excimer lasers, LED light sources emitting light in the wavelength range of 380 to 440 nm, chemical lamps, black light lamps, microwave-excited mercury lamps, and metal halide lamps.

[0135] The UV irradiation intensity is usually 10 mW / cm 2 ~3,000mW / cm 2 The ultraviolet irradiation intensity is preferably an intensity in a wavelength region effective for activating a cationic polymerization initiator or a radical polymerization initiator. The light irradiation time is usually 0.1 seconds to 10 minutes, preferably 1 second to 5 minutes, more preferably 5 seconds to 3 minutes, and even more preferably 10 seconds to 1 minute. When irradiating once or multiple times with such ultraviolet irradiation intensity, the cumulative light amount is 10 mJ / cm 2 ~3,000mJ / cm 2 , preferably 50 mJ / cm 2 ~2,000mJ / cm 2 , more preferably 100 mJ / cm 2 ~1,000mJ / cm 2If the cumulative light amount is less than this range, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound may not be sufficiently cured. Conversely, if the cumulative light amount is more than this range, the light absorption anisotropic layer may become colored.

[0136] (Non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group) A non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group (hereinafter also referred to as a "non-liquid crystal compound") is a compound that has a polymerizable group but does not have liquid crystallinity. Examples of the polymerizable group that the non-liquid crystal compound has include a vinyl group, a vinyloxy group, a 1-chlorovinyl group, an isopropenyl group, a 4-vinylphenyl group, a (meth)acryloyl group, a (meth)acryloyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group. Among these, preferred polymerizable groups are a (meth)acryloyl group, a (meth)acryloyloxy group, a vinyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group. More preferred polymerizable groups are a (meth)acryloyl group and a (meth)acryloyloxy group, and an even more preferred polymerizable group is a (meth)acryloyloxy group. The polymerizable group in the non-liquid crystal compound may be one type or a combination of two or more types, but is preferably the same polymerizable group as the polymerizable group in the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0137] The number of polymerizable groups that the non-liquid crystal compound has is not particularly limited and may be, for example, 1 to 20, but from the viewpoint of making it easier to increase the film strength of the light absorption anisotropic layer, it is preferably 2 to 10, more preferably 3 to 6. When the non-liquid crystal compound has two or more polymerizable groups, the polymerizable groups may be the same or different from each other.

[0138] Examples of the non-liquid crystal compound include monofunctional (meth)acrylates and polyfunctional (meth)acrylates. Since the monofunctional acrylates and polyfunctional acrylates as the non-liquid crystal compounds having a polymerizable group are non-liquid crystal, they preferably do not have a mesogen structure. The monofunctional acrylates and polyfunctional acrylates may contain a urethane structure, an amino structure, an epoxy structure, an ethylene glycol structure, and / or a polyester structure in the molecule.

[0139] (solvent) The solvent that may be contained in the composition for forming the light absorption anisotropic layer is preferably one that can completely dissolve the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and is also preferably a solvent that is inactive to the polymerization reaction of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. Examples of solvents include alcohol solvents such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether; ester solvents such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, γ-butyrolactone, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, and ethyl lactate; ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, 2-heptanone, and methyl isobutyl ketone; aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents such as pentane, hexane, and heptane; aromatic hydrocarbon solvents such as toluene and xylene; nitrile solvents such as acetonitrile; ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran and dimethoxyethane; chlorine-containing solvents such as chloroform and chlorobenzene; and amide solvents such as dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0140] The content of the solvent in the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer is preferably 50 to 98% by mass, based on the total amount of the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer. In other words, the content of solids in the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer is preferably 2 to 50% by mass, more preferably 5 to 30% by mass. When the content of solids is 50% by mass or less, the viscosity of the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer is reduced, making it easier to form an optically absorptive anisotropic layer with a substantially uniform thickness, and reducing the likelihood of unevenness in the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. The content of solids can be determined taking into account the thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer to be produced.

[0141] (additives) The composition for forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer may contain additives such as a polymerization initiator such as a photopolymerization initiator or a thermal polymerization initiator, a leveling agent, an alignment promoter, a reactive additive, an antioxidant, and a photosensitizer.

[0142] (Polymerization initiator) The composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer may contain a polymerization initiator. The polymerization initiator is used when the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer contains a compound involved in a polymerization reaction, such as a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and is a compound capable of initiating the polymerization reaction of the compound. As the polymerization initiator for initiating the polymerization reaction of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a photopolymerization initiator that generates active radicals by the action of light is preferred, from the viewpoint of not depending on the phase state of the thermotropic liquid crystal.

[0143] The photopolymerization initiator may be any known photopolymerization initiator as long as it is a compound capable of initiating a polymerization reaction of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound or the like. Specific examples include photopolymerization initiators capable of generating active radicals or acids under the action of light, and among these, photopolymerization initiators that generate radicals under the action of light are preferred. The photopolymerization initiators may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0144] As the photopolymerization initiator, known photopolymerization initiators can be used. For example, photopolymerization initiators that generate active radicals include: Self-cleaving benzoin compounds, acetophenone compounds, hydroxyacetophenone compounds, α-aminoacetophenone compounds, oxime ester compounds, acylphosphine oxide compounds, azo compounds, and the like; Hydrogen abstraction type benzophenone compounds, alkylphenone compounds, benzoin ether compounds, benzil ketal compounds, dibenzosuberone compounds, anthraquinone compounds, xanthone compounds, thioxanthone compounds, halogenoacetophenone compounds, dialkoxyacetophenone compounds, halogenobisimidazole compounds, halogenotriazine compounds, triazine compounds, etc. can be used.

[0145] As the photopolymerization initiator that generates an acid, an iodonium salt, a sulfonium salt, or the like can be used.

[0146] From the viewpoint of excellent reaction efficiency at low temperatures, the photopolymerization initiator is preferably a self-cleaving photopolymerization initiator, and in particular, acetophenone-based compounds, hydroxyacetophenone-based compounds, α-aminoacetophenone-based compounds, and oxime ester-based compounds are preferred.

[0147] The content of the polymerization initiator in the composition for forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer can be adjusted appropriately depending on the type and amount of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, but is usually 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, preferably 0.5 to 10 parts by mass, and more preferably 0.5 to 8 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. When the content of the polymerization initiator is within the above range, polymerization can be carried out without disturbing the alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0148] (Leveling agent) The composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer may contain a leveling agent. A leveling agent is an additive that adjusts the fluidity of the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer and functions to make the film obtained by applying the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer flatter. The composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer may contain a fluorine-based leveling agent such as a silicon-based leveling agent, a polyacrylate-based leveling agent, or a perfluoroalkyl-based leveling agent, and preferably contains a silicon leveling agent. By including a silicon-based leveling agent in the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer, blocking of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer can be easily suppressed. When the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer contains a silicon leveling agent, the content thereof may be, for example, within the range described below as the content in the optically absorbing anisotropic layer.

[0149] The silicon-based leveling agent is a leveling agent containing silicon atoms, and it is preferable to use a leveling agent having a polyorganosiloxane skeleton. Examples of groups bonded to silicon atoms (silicon atoms forming siloxane bonds) in polyorganosiloxane include hydrocarbon groups. Among these, preferred are alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, ester groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and aryl groups, more preferably methyl groups and phenyl groups, and even more preferably methyl groups. The groups bonded to the silicon atoms may be of one type or two or more types. The number of repetitions of the siloxane unit (degree of polymerization) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2 to 10,000, more preferably 3 to 5,000, and even more preferably 5 to 1,000.

[0150] As the silicon-based leveling agent, commercially available products can be used. Commercially available silicone leveling agents include, for example, BYK-300, BYK-302, BYK-306, BYK-307, BYK-310, BYK-313, BYK-315N, BYK-320, BYK-322, BYK-323, BYK-325, BYK-330, BYK-331, BYK-333, BYK-337, BYK-342, BYK-345, BYK-346, BYK-347, BYK-348, BYK-349, BYK-370, BYK-377, BYK-378, BYK-3455, and BYK-UV3510 (all manufactured by BYK Japan K.K.), KF-945, KF-6015, and KF-6020 (all manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). Examples of those having a radical polymerizable group such as a (meth)acryloyl group added to the polyether chain include BYK-UV3500, BYK-UV3505, BYK-3510, BYK-UV3530, BYK-UV3570, BYK-UV3575, BYK-UV3576 (all manufactured by BYK Japan KK), KP-422, KP-416, KP-418, KP-410, KP-411, KP-412, KP-413, KP-423, KP-414, KP-415, KP-420, and KP-983 (all manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.).

[0151] The content of the silicone-based leveling agent is preferably 0.01 to 5.0 parts by mass, more preferably 0.05 to 3.0 parts by mass, even more preferably 0.05 to 2.0 parts by mass, even more preferably 0.1 to 1.0 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 0.5 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the polymer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer. The content of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound polymer and the content of the silicone-based leveling agent can be calculated as the content of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the silicone-based leveling agent in the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition. When the content of the silicone-based leveling agent is within the above range, it becomes easier to form a flat light-absorbing anisotropic layer and to suppress blocking. When the content of the silicone-based leveling agent is 5.0 parts by mass or less, it becomes easier to suppress repelling when the light-absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition is applied to the first protective layer.

[0152] (Orientation promoter) When the optically absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition is applied directly to the surface of the first protective layer (when a vertical alignment layer is not used), the optically absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition preferably contains an alignment promoter. An alignment promoter refers to a material that promotes the liquid crystal alignment of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound in a desired direction. Examples of alignment promoters that promote the vertical alignment of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound include ionic compounds containing nonmetallic atoms and nonionic silane compounds. The optically absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition preferably contains at least one of an ionic compound containing nonmetallic atoms and a nonionic silane compound, and more preferably contains both an ionic compound containing nonmetallic atoms and a nonionic silane compound.

[0153] As the silane compound, nonionic silane compounds and silane-containing ionic compounds, which will be described later, can be used, and the use of these silane compounds can enhance the vertical alignment regulating force. These silane compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more, or may be used in combination with other materials. When the silane compound is a nonionic silane compound, a silane compound having an alkyl group at the molecular end is preferred, from the viewpoint of easily enhancing the vertical alignment regulating force, and a silane compound having an alkyl group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms is more preferred.

[0154] When the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer contains an ionic compound composed of non-metallic atoms, a vertical alignment regulating force is exerted on the polymerizable liquid crystal compound in the dried coating film of the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer formed on the first protective layer due to electrostatic interaction, and the polymerizable liquid crystal compound tends to align in the direction vertical to the surface of the first protective layer in the dried coating film. This allows the polymerizable liquid crystal compound to maintain its vertical alignment state and form an optically absorbing anisotropic layer that is a liquid crystal cured film.

[0155] Examples of ionic compounds comprising nonmetallic atoms include onium salts (more specifically, quaternary ammonium salts in which the nitrogen atom has a positive charge, tertiary sulfonium salts, and quaternary phosphonium salts in which the phosphorus atom has a positive charge). Among these onium salts, quaternary onium salts are preferred from the viewpoint of further improving the vertical alignment property of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and quaternary phosphonium salts or quaternary ammonium salts are more preferred from the viewpoint of improving availability and mass productivity. The onium salt may have two or more quaternary onium salt moieties in the molecule, and may be an oligomer or polymer.

[0156] The molecular weight of the ionic compound is preferably 100 or more and 10,000 or less. When the molecular weight is within the above range, it is easy to improve the vertical alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound while ensuring the coatability of the composition for forming the light absorption anisotropic layer. The molecular weight of the ionic compound is more preferably 5,000 or less, and even more preferably 3,000 or less.

[0157] Examples of the cationic component of the ionic compound include inorganic cations and organic cations. Among them, organic cations are preferred because they are less likely to cause alignment defects in the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. Examples of the organic cations include imidazolium cations, pyridinium cations, ammonium cations, sulfonium cations, and phosphonium cations.

[0158] Ionic compounds generally have counter anions. Examples of anionic components that serve as counter ions to the cationic components include inorganic anions and organic anions. Among these, organic anions are preferred because they are less likely to cause alignment defects in the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. Note that cations and anions do not necessarily have to correspond one-to-one.

[0159] Specific examples of the anion component include the following: Chloride anion [Cl - 〕, Bromide anion [Br - 〕, Iodide anion (I - 〕, Tetrachloroaluminate anion [AlCl4 - 〕, Heptachlorodialuminate anion [Al2Cl7 - 〕, Tetrafluoroborate anion [BF4 - 〕, Hexafluorophosphate anion (PF6 - 〕, Perchlorate anion [ClO4 - 〕, Nitrate anion (NO3 - 〕, Acetate anion [CH3COO - 〕, Trifluoroacetate anion [CF3COO - 〕, Fluorosulfonate anion (FSO3 -〕, Methanesulfonate anion [CH3SO3 - 〕, Trifluoromethanesulfonate anion [CF3SO3 - 〕, p-Toluenesulfonate anion [p-CH3C6H4SO3 - 〕, Bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide anion [(FSO2)2N - 〕, Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion [(CF3SO2)2N - 〕, Tris(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)methanide anion [(CF3SO2)3C - 〕, Hexafluoroarsenate anion [AsF6 - 〕, Hexafluoroantimonate anion [SbF6 - 〕, Hexafluoroniobate anion [NbF6 - 〕, Hexafluorotantalate anion [TaF6 - 〕, Dimethylphosphinate anion ((CH3)2POO - 〕, (Poly)hydrofluorofluoride anion [F(HF) n - ] (for example, n represents an integer of 1 to 3), Dicyanamide anion ((CN)N - 〕, Thiocyanine anion (SCN - 〕, Perfluorobutanesulfonate anion [C4F9SO3 - 〕, Bis(pentafluoroethanesulfonyl)imide anion [(C2F5SO2)2N - 〕, perfluorobutanoate anion [C3F7COO-], and (Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)(trifluoromethanecarbonyl)imide anion [(CF3SO2)(CF3CO)N - 〕.

[0160] Specific examples of the ionic compound can be appropriately selected from the combinations of the cationic component and the anionic component described above. Specific examples of the compound that is a combination of a cationic component and an anionic component include the following:

[0161] (pyridinium salts) N-hexylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate, N-octylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate, N-methyl-4-hexylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate, N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate, N-octyl-4-methylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate, N-hexylpyridinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, N-octylpyridinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, N-methyl-4-hexylpyridinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, N-octyl-4-methylpyridinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, N-hexylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, N-octylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, N-methyl-4-hexylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, N-octyl-4-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, N-hexylpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate, N-octylpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate, N-methyl-4-hexylpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate, N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate, and N-Octyl-4-methylpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate.

[0162] (imidazolium salts) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium p-toluenesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate, etc.

[0163] (pyrrolidinium salts) N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium hexafluorophosphate, N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium p-toluenesulfonate, etc.

[0164] (ammonium salts) tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate, tetrabutylammonium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, tetrahexylammonium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, trioctylmethylammonium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, (2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, tetrahexylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, trioctylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, (2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, tetrabutylammonium p-toluenesulfonate, tetrahexylammonium p-toluenesulfonate, trioctylmethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate, (2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium p-toluenesulfonate, (2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium dimethylphosphinate, 1-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)-1,1,1-tributylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)-1,1,1-trimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-(3-trimethoxysilylbutyl)-1,1,1-tributylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-(3-trimethoxysilylbutyl)-1,1,1-trimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, N-{(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)carbamoyloxyethyl)}-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and N-[2-{3-(3-trimethoxysilylpropylamino)-1-oxopropoxy}ethyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide.

[0165] (phosphonium salts) tributyl(2-methoxyethyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, tributylmethylphosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1,1,1-trimethyl-1-[(trimethoxysilyl)methyl]phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1,1,1-trimethyl-1-[2-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1,1,1-trimethyl-1-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1,1,1-trimethyl-1-[4-(trimethoxysilyl)butyl]phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1,1,1-tributyl-1-[(trimethoxysilyl)methyl]phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1,1,1-tributyl-1-[2-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and 1,1,1-Tributyl-1-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]phosphonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. These ionic compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0166] From the viewpoint of further improving the vertical alignment property of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, the ionic compound preferably has Si and / or F elements in the molecular structure of the cationic moiety. When the ionic compound has Si and / or F elements in the molecular structure of the cationic moiety, the ionic compound is more likely to segregate on the surface of the light absorption anisotropic layer. Among these, the following ionic compounds (ii) to (iv) are preferred as ionic compounds whose constituent elements are all non-metallic elements.

[0167] Ionic compounds (ii): [ka] Ionic compounds (iii): [ka] Ionic compounds (iv) [ka]

[0168] One known method for improving the vertical alignment of polymerizable liquid crystal compounds is to treat the surface of the first protective layer with a surfactant having a relatively long alkyl chain (see, for example, Chapter 2, "Alignment and Physical Properties of Liquid Crystals" in "Liquid Crystal Handbook" (published by Maruzen Co., Ltd.)). This method for improving the vertical alignment of liquid crystal compounds with a surfactant can also be applied to ionic compounds. That is, treating the surface of the first protective layer with an ionic compound having a relatively long alkyl chain can effectively improve the vertical alignment of polymerizable liquid crystal compounds.

[0169] Specifically, ionic compounds satisfy the following relationship: 5 <M<16 It is preferable that M in the above relationship satisfies the following formula: M = (number of covalent bonds from the positively charged atom to the end of the molecular chain of the substituent with the most covalent bonds to the end of the molecular chain among the substituents directly bonded to the positively charged atom) ÷ (number of positively charged atoms) It is expressed as: When the ionic compound satisfies the above-mentioned relationship, the vertical alignment property of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound can be effectively improved.

[0170] When an ionic compound molecule contains two or more positively charged atoms, the number of covalent bonds from the positively charged atom considered as the base point to the nearest other positively charged atom is considered to be the "number of covalent bonds from the positively charged atom to the molecular chain end" defined above for a substituent containing two or more positively charged atoms. When an ionic compound is an oligomer or polymer containing two or more repeating units, the constituent unit is considered as one molecule and the above M is calculated. When a positively charged atom is incorporated into a ring structure, the "number of covalent bonds from the positively charged atom to the molecular chain end" defined above is considered to be the larger of the number of covalent bonds from the ring structure to the positively charged atom or the number of covalent bonds to the end of the substituent bonded to the ring structure.

[0171] When the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer contains an ionic compound, the content thereof is usually preferably 0.01 to 5 mass %, more preferably 0.05 to 4 mass %, and even more preferably 0.1 to 3 mass %, based on the solid content of the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer. When the content of the ionic compound is within the above range, the vertical alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound can be effectively promoted while maintaining good coatability of the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer.

[0172] When the optically absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition contains a nonionic silane compound, the nonionic silane compound reduces the surface tension of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition, and in a dried coating film of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition formed on the first protective layer, the nonionic silane compound is present on the side of the dried coating film opposite the first protective layer, increasing the vertical alignment regulation force for the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, so that the polymerizable liquid crystal compound tends to be oriented in a direction vertical to the surface of the first protective layer in the dried coating film. This allows the polymerizable liquid crystal compound to maintain its vertical alignment state, forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer that is a liquid crystal cured film.

[0173] The nonionic silane compound is a nonionic compound containing Si element. Examples of the nonionic silane compound include silicon polymers such as polysilane, silicone resins such as silicone oil and silicone resin, silicone oligomers, organic and inorganic silane compounds such as silsesquioxane and alkoxysilane (more specifically, silane coupling agents, etc.), and silane-containing compounds described in the leveling agent section.

[0174] The nonionic silane compound may be a silicone monomer type or a silicone oligomer (polymer) type. When the silicone oligomer is expressed in the form of a (monomer)-(monomer) copolymer, it may include mercaptopropyl group-containing copolymers such as 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, and 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer; mercaptomethyl group-containing copolymers such as mercaptomethyltrimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, mercaptomethyltrimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, mercaptomethyltriethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, and mercaptomethyltriethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer; 3-mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer; mercaptomethyl ... methacryloyloxypropyl group-containing copolymers such as methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-methacryloyloxypropyltriethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-methacryloyloxypropyltriethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-methacryloyloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-methacryloyloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-methacryloyloxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer and 3-methacryloyloxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer;3-acryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-acryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-acryloyloxypropyltriethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-acryloyloxypropyltriethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-acryloyloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-acryloyloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-acryloyloxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer and 3-acryloyloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane copolymers containing acryloyloxypropyl groups such as ethyldiethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer; copolymers containing vinyl groups such as vinyltrimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, vinyltrimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, vinyltriethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, vinyltriethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, vinyltriethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, vinylmethyldimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, vinylmethyldimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, vinylmethyldiethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, and vinylmethyldiethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer;Examples of suitable nonionic silane compounds include amino group-containing copolymers such as 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, 3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer, 3-aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane-tetramethoxysilane copolymer, and 3-aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane-tetraethoxysilane copolymer. These nonionic silane compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, silane coupling agents are preferred from the viewpoint of further improving adhesion to adjacent layers.

[0175] The silane coupling agent is a compound containing silicon and having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of vinyl, epoxy, styryl, methacryl, acrylic, amino, isocyanurate, ureido, mercapto, isocyanate, carboxy, and hydroxy groups, and at least one alkoxysilyl or silanol group at its terminal. By appropriately selecting these functional groups, unique effects can be achieved, such as improving the mechanical strength of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer, modifying the surface of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer, and improving adhesion between the optically absorbing anisotropic layer and adjacent layers (e.g., the first protective layer or the third protective layer). From the viewpoint of adhesion, the silane coupling agent is preferably a silane coupling agent having an alkoxysilyl group and another different reactive group (e.g., the functional group described above). The silane coupling agent is preferably a silane coupling agent having an alkoxysilyl group and a polar group. When the silane coupling agent has at least one alkoxysilyl group and at least one polar group in its molecule, the vertical alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is more likely to be improved, and the vertical alignment promoting effect tends to be significantly achieved. Examples of the polar group include an epoxy group, an amino group, an isocyanurate group, a mercapto group, a carboxy group, and a hydroxy group. The polar group may have an appropriate substituent or a protective group to control the reactivity of the silane coupling agent.

[0176] Specific examples of the silane coupling agent include vinyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltris(2-methoxyethoxy)silane, N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 3-triethoxysilyl-N-(1,3-dimethylbutylidene)propylamine, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and 3-glycidoxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane. ethyldimethoxysilane, 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane, 3-chloropropylmethyldimethoxysilane, 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyldimethoxymethylsilane, and 3-glycidoxypropylethoxydimethylsilane.

[0177] Commercially available silane coupling agents include, for example, KP321, KP323, KP324, KP326, KP340, KP341, X22-161A, KF6001, KBM-1003, KBE-1003, KBM-303, KBM-402, KBM-403, KBE-402, KBE-403, KBM-1403, KBM-502, KBM-503, and KBE- silane coupling agents manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., such as KBM-502, KBE-503, KBM-5103, KBM-602, KBM-603, KBM-903, KBE-903, KBE-9103, KBM-573, KBM-575, KBM-9659, KBE-585, KBM-802, KBM-803, KBE-846, and KBE-9007.

[0178] When the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer contains a nonionic silane compound, the content thereof is usually preferably 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, more preferably 0.05% by mass to 4% by mass, and even more preferably 0.1% by mass to 3% by mass, based on the solid content of the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer. When the content of the nonionic silane compound is within the above range, the vertical alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound can be effectively promoted while maintaining good coatability of the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer.

[0179] By including both an ionic compound and a nonionic silane compound in the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer, the vertical alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound in the dried coating film of the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer formed on the first protective layer is more easily promoted due to the electrostatic interaction derived from the ionic compound and the surface tension reducing effect derived from the nonionic silane compound. This allows the polymerizable liquid crystal compound to maintain a more precise vertical alignment state, thereby forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer, which is a liquid crystal cured film.

[0180] (reactive additives) The composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer may contain a reactive additive. The reactive additive preferably has a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond and an active hydrogen-reactive group in its molecule. The term "active hydrogen-reactive group" as used herein refers to a group reactive with a group having active hydrogen, such as a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydroxyl group (-OH), or an amino group (-NH2). Representative examples of such groups include a glycidyl group, an oxazoline group, a carbodiimide group, an aziridine group, an imide group, an isocyanate group, a thioisocyanate group, and a maleic anhydride group. The reactive additive typically has 1 to 20 carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds or active hydrogen-reactive groups, and preferably 1 to 10 of each.

[0181] The reactive additive preferably has at least two active hydrogen reactive groups, and in this case, the multiple active hydrogen reactive groups may be the same or different.

[0182] The carbon-carbon unsaturated bond of the reactive additive may be a carbon-carbon double bond, a carbon-carbon triple bond, or a combination thereof, but is preferably a carbon-carbon double bond. Among these, the reactive additive preferably contains a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond as a vinyl group and / or a (meth)acrylic group. Furthermore, a reactive additive in which the active hydrogen reactive group is at least one selected from the group consisting of an epoxy group, a glycidyl group, and an isocyanate group is preferred, and a reactive additive having an acrylic group and an isocyanate group is more preferred.

[0183] Specific examples of reactive additives include compounds having a (meth)acrylic group and an epoxy group, such as methacryloxyglycidyl ether and acryloxyglycidyl ether; compounds having a (meth)acrylic group and an oxetane group, such as oxetane acrylate and oxetane methacrylate; compounds having a (meth)acrylic group and a lactone group, such as lactone acrylate and lactone methacrylate; compounds having a vinyl group and an oxazoline group, such as vinyloxazoline and isopropenyloxazoline; oligomers of compounds having a (meth)acrylic group and an isocyanate group, such as isocyanatomethyl acrylate, isocyanatomethyl methacrylate, 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate, or 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate. Also included are compounds having a vinyl group or vinylene group and an acid anhydride, such as methacrylic anhydride, acrylic anhydride, maleic anhydride, or vinyl maleic anhydride. Among these, methacryloxyglycidyl ether, acryloxyglycidyl ether, isocyanatomethyl acrylate, isocyanatomethyl methacrylate, vinyloxazoline, 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate, 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate, or oligomers thereof are preferred, and isocyanatomethyl acrylate, 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate, or oligomers thereof are particularly preferred.

[0184] The reactive additive may be a commercially available product, such as Laromer (registered trademark) LR-9000 (manufactured by BASF), which may be used as is or after purification as necessary.

[0185] When the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer contains a reactive additive, the content of the reactive additive is usually 0.01 to 10 parts by mass, and preferably 0.1 to 5 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0186] (vertical alignment layer) The vertical alignment layer has an alignment control force that can align the polymerizable liquid crystal compound in the optical absorption anisotropy forming composition for forming the optical absorption anisotropy layer in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the optical absorption anisotropy layer. In this specification, vertical alignment of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound means that the long axis of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is aligned in the vertical direction, and the vertical direction means 90°±20° with respect to the plane of the optical absorption anisotropy layer. The state of liquid crystal alignment varies depending on the properties of the vertical alignment layer and the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, and the combination thereof can be selected as desired.

[0187] When the alignment layer is made of an alignment polymer, the alignment regulating force can be adjusted arbitrarily by changing the surface condition and rubbing conditions. When the alignment layer is made of a photoalignment polymer, the alignment regulating force can be adjusted arbitrarily by changing the polarized light irradiation conditions, etc. Furthermore, the liquid crystal alignment can also be controlled by selecting the physical properties, such as the surface tension and liquid crystallinity, of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

[0188] The vertical alignment layer is preferably insoluble in the solvent used to form the optically absorbing anisotropic layer on the vertical alignment layer and has heat resistance to the heat treatment for removing the solvent and for aligning the liquid crystal. The vertical alignment layer can be formed using a composition for forming a vertical alignment layer. Examples of the vertical alignment layer include a polymer alignment layer made of an orientable polymer, a photo-alignment layer, a groove alignment layer, and a stretched film stretched in the alignment direction. When applied to a long roll film, a photo-alignment layer is preferred because the alignment direction can be easily controlled.

[0189] The thickness of the vertical alignment layer is usually in the range of 10 nm to 5000 nm, preferably in the range of 10 nm to 1000 nm, and more preferably in the range of 30 nm to 300 nm.

[0190] The composition for forming a vertical alignment layer used to form the rubbed alignment layer contains an alignment polymer. Examples of the alignment polymer include polyamides and gelatins having an amide bond in the molecule, polyimides having an imide bond in the molecule, and their hydrolyzates such as polyamic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, alkyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, polyoxazole, polyethyleneimine, polystyrene, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, and polyacrylic acid esters. Among these, polyvinyl alcohol is preferred from the viewpoint of suppressing migration of azo dyes from adjacent layers. These alignment polymers may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0191] The oriented polymer composition (composition for forming a vertical orientation layer) containing an oriented polymer for forming a rubbing orientation layer may also be a resin composition (water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition) containing a water-soluble polymer used in the composition for forming a protective layer described below for forming the protective layer.

[0192] Rubbing methods include applying an oriented polymer composition to the surface of the first protective layer, annealing the composition, and then contacting the resulting oriented polymer film that forms the surface of the first protective layer with a rotating rubbing roll wrapped around a rubbing cloth.

[0193] The composition for forming a vertical alignment layer used to form the photo-alignment layer contains a polymer, oligomer, or monomer having a photoreactive group. The photo-alignment layer obtains an alignment control force by irradiating polarized light onto a coating layer in which a composition for forming a photo-alignment layer (composition for forming a vertical alignment layer) is applied to a first protective layer. The photo-alignment layer is more preferable because the direction of the alignment control force can be freely controlled by selecting the polarization direction of the irradiated polarized light.

[0194] A photoreactive group is a group that exhibits liquid crystal alignment ability upon irradiation with light. Specifically, it induces molecular alignment upon irradiation with light, or causes a photoreaction that is the origin of liquid crystal alignment ability, such as an isomerization reaction, a dimerization reaction, a photocrosslinking reaction, or a photodecomposition reaction. Among such photoreactive groups, those that undergo a dimerization reaction or a photocrosslinking reaction are preferred because of their excellent alignment ability. As photoreactive groups capable of causing such reactions, those having an unsaturated bond, particularly a double bond, are preferred, and groups having at least one selected from the group consisting of a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C bond), a carbon-nitrogen double bond (C=N bond), a nitrogen-nitrogen double bond (N=N bond), and a carbon-oxygen double bond (C=O bond) are more preferred.

[0195] Examples of photoreactive groups having a C=C bond include vinyl groups, polyene groups, stilbene groups, stilbazole groups, stilbazolium groups, chalcone groups, and cinnamoyl groups. Chalcone and cinnamoyl groups are preferred because of their ease of reactivity control and the ability to exert alignment control forces during photoalignment. Examples of photoreactive groups having a C=N bond include groups having structures such as aromatic Schiff bases and aromatic hydrazones. Examples of photoreactive groups having an N=N bond include azobenzene groups, azonaphthalene groups, aromatic heterocyclic azo groups, bisazo groups, and formazan groups, as well as groups with an azoxybenzene basic structure. Examples of photoreactive groups having a C=O bond include benzophenone groups, coumarin groups, anthraquinone groups, and maleimide groups. These groups may have substituents such as alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, aryl groups, allyloxy groups, cyano groups, alkoxycarbonyl groups, hydroxyl groups, sulfonic acid groups, and halogenated alkyl groups. From the viewpoint of excellent alignment and reactivity, the photoalignable polymer preferably has a photoreactive group that undergoes a dimerization reaction or a photocrosslinking reaction, and more preferably has a photoreactive group that undergoes a dimerization reaction. Examples of such photoreactive groups include groups having a cinnamoyl structure, groups having a chalcone structure, groups having a coumarin structure, groups having a benzophenone structure, and groups having an anthracene structure. Among these, groups having a cinnamoyl structure and groups having a chalcone structure are preferred, and groups having a cinnamoyl structure are more preferred.

[0196] The polarized light may be irradiated directly onto the surface of the coating layer of the composition for forming the photo-alignment layer, or may be irradiated from the first protective layer side and then transmitted through the first protective layer. It is particularly preferred that the polarized light be substantially parallel. The wavelength of the irradiated polarized light is preferably within a wavelength range in which the photoreactive group of the polymer or monomer having a photoreactive group can absorb light energy. Specifically, UV (ultraviolet light) with a wavelength of 250 to 400 nm is particularly preferred. Examples of light sources used for polarized light irradiation include xenon lamps, high-pressure mercury lamps, ultra-high-pressure mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, and ultraviolet lasers such as KrF and ArF. High-pressure mercury lamps, ultra-high-pressure mercury lamps, and metal halide lamps are more preferred. These lamps are preferred because of their high emission intensity of ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 313 nm. Polarized light can be irradiated by passing light from the above light sources through an appropriate polarizer. As such a polarizer, a polarizing filter, a polarizing prism such as a Glan-Thompson or Glan-Taylor, or a wire grid type polarizer can be used.

[0197] (base material layer) The substrate layer may include one or more of a resin film (film substrate) and a glass substrate. The substrate layer may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. The substrate layer can support a liquid crystal polarizer or a laminated portion to be transferred. The substrate layer may be a layer onto which a composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer is applied to form a horizontal alignment layer, or a layer onto which a composition for forming a protective layer is applied to form a second protective layer.

[0198] Examples of resins constituting the resin film include olefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; cyclic olefin resins having a cyclo- or norbornene structure; polyvinyl alcohol; polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate; (meth)acrylic resins; cellulose ester resins such as triacetyl cellulose, diacetyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate propionate; polyimide resins; polycarbonate; polysulfone; polyethersulfone; polyether ketone; polyphenylene sulfide; polyphenylene oxide; etc. (Meth)acrylic refers to at least one of acrylic and methacrylic. The same applies to notations such as (meth)acryloyl.

[0199] The resin film may be a commercially available cellulose ester resin film, such as "Fujitac Film" (manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.), "KC8UX2M", "KC8UY" and "KC4UY" (all manufactured by Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.).

[0200] When forming a second protective layer on the resin film, a release treatment may be performed to form a release layer on the surface of the resin film on which the second protective layer is to be formed, for example, by applying a release agent, etc. This makes it easier to peel the resin film when peeling the base layer (resin film) from the optical laminate.

[0201] The thickness of the base layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 100 μm or less, and may be 0.5 μm or more and 80 μm or less, 1 μm or more and 60 μm or less, 1 μm or more and 40 μm or less, 1 μm or more and 30 μm or less, or 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0202] The thickness of the resin film that may be included in the base layer is preferably thin in terms of having a mass that allows practical handling, but if it is too thin, the strength tends to decrease and processability tends to be poor. From this viewpoint, the thickness of the resin film is preferably 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less, more preferably 10 μm or more and 80 μm or less, even more preferably 10 μm or more and 40 μm or less, and may be 10 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

[0203] (Retardation elements (first liquid crystal retardation layer, second liquid crystal retardation layer)) The optical laminate may include a retardation element (FIGS. 3 and 4). The retardation element may be a retardation layer that is a stretched film, or may be a liquid crystal retardation layer that contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, like the first liquid crystal retardation layer and the second liquid crystal retardation layer described above. The retardation element is preferably a liquid crystal retardation layer.

[0204] When the optical laminate constitutes an elliptically polarizing plate, R(λ), which is the in-plane retardation of the retardation element for light with a wavelength λ [nm], preferably satisfies the optical characteristics shown in the following formula (4), and more preferably satisfies the optical characteristics shown in the following formulas (4), (5), and (6). 100nm <Re(550)<160nm (4) Re(450) / Re(550)≦1.00 (5) 1.00≦Re(650) / Re(550) (6) [In formulas (4) to (6), Re(550) represents the in-plane retardation value (in-plane retardation) of the retardation element for light with a wavelength of 550 nm. Re(450) represents the in-plane retardation value of the retardation element for light with a wavelength of 450 nm, Re(650) represents the in-plane retardation value of the retardation element for light with a wavelength of 650 nm.]

[0205] When "Re(450) / Re(550)" in the above formula (5) exceeds 1.0, light leakage on the short wavelength side of an elliptical polarizer equipped with a λ / 4 retardation element increases. "Re(450) / Re(550)" is preferably 0.70 or more and 1.00 or less, more preferably 0.80 or more and 0.95 or less, even more preferably 0.80 or more and 0.92 or less, and particularly preferably 0.82 or more and 0.88 or less. The value of "Re(450) / Re(550)" can be adjusted arbitrarily by adjusting the stacking angle or retardation value of the multiple retardation elements constituting the retardation element, or by adjusting the mixing ratio of the polymerizable liquid crystal compounds constituting the retardation element.

[0206] The in-plane retardation value of a retardation element can be adjusted by the thickness of the retardation element. Since the in-plane retardation value is determined by the following formula (7), the in-plane retardation value (Re(λ)) at a wavelength λ [nm] can be adjusted by adjusting Δn(λ) and the film thickness d. The thickness of the retardation element is preferably 0.5 μm to 5 μm, more preferably 1 μm to 3 μm. The thickness can be measured using an interference film thickness meter, a laser microscope, or a stylus film thickness meter. When the retardation element is a liquid crystal retardation layer, Δn(λ) depends on the molecular structure of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound. Re(λ)=d×Δn(λ) (7) [In formula (7), Re(λ) represents the in-plane retardation value of the retardation element at a wavelength λ [nm], d represents the thickness of the retardation element, Δn(λ) represents the birefringence of the retardation element at a wavelength λ [nm].

[0207] The optical laminate may include a positive C plate as a retardation element. The thickness direction retardation value Rth(550) of the positive C plate at a wavelength of 550 nm is usually in the range of −170 nm to −10 nm, preferably −150 nm to −20 nm, and more preferably −100 nm to −40 nm. If the thickness direction retardation value of the positive C plate is in this range, the anti-reflection properties from oblique directions can be further improved.

[0208] The retardation layer, which is a stretched film, can be a conventionally known one, and can be a resin film that has been uniaxially or biaxially stretched to provide a retardation. Examples of the resin film include cellulose films such as triacetyl cellulose and diacetyl cellulose, polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene isophthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate, acrylic resin films such as polymethyl (meth) acrylate and polyethyl (meth) acrylate, polycarbonate films, polyethersulfone films, polysulfone films, polyimide films, polyolefin films, and polynorbornene films, but are not limited thereto.

[0209] The thickness of the retardation layer is usually 5 μm or more and 200 μm or less, preferably 10 μm or more and 80 μm or less, and more preferably 40 μm or less.

[0210] When the retardation element is a liquid crystal retardation layer such as a first liquid crystal retardation layer or a second liquid crystal retardation layer, the liquid crystal retardation layer may include a cured liquid crystal film formed by applying a liquid crystal retardation layer-forming composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound to a film substrate. The liquid crystal retardation layer may be a cured liquid crystal film or a laminate of a cured liquid crystal film and an alignment layer. The liquid crystal retardation layer exhibits retardation in the in-plane direction or the thickness direction.

[0211] The thickness of the liquid crystal retardation layer is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less.

[0212] Examples of film substrates onto which the liquid crystal retardation layer-forming composition is applied include the resin films exemplified as the substrate layer. The film substrate may be peeled off when forming the optical laminates 3 and 4, or may be used as a protective film for the liquid crystal retardation layer without peeling off. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound may be a polymerizable liquid crystal compound having a photopolymerizable group as the polymerizable group. Examples of polymerizable liquid crystal compounds that can be used include those conventionally known in the field of liquid crystal retardation layers. The photopolymerizable group refers to a group that can participate in a polymerization reaction by reactive species generated from a photopolymerization initiator, such as active radicals or acids. Examples of photopolymerizable groups include vinyl groups, vinyloxy groups, 1-chlorovinyl groups, isopropenyl groups, 4-vinylphenyl groups, acryloyloxy groups, methacryloyloxy groups, oxiranyl groups, and oxetanyl groups. Among these, acryloyloxy groups, methacryloyloxy groups, vinyloxy groups, oxiranyl groups, and oxetanyl groups are preferred, with acryloyloxy groups being more preferred. The liquid crystal may be either thermotropic or lyotropic, but thermotropic liquid crystal is preferred because it allows precise control of the film thickness. The phase-ordered structure of the thermotropic liquid crystal may be either nematic or smectic. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound may be either rod-shaped or discotic. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound may be used alone or in combination.

[0213] As the polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the λ / 4 liquid crystal retardation layer contained in the liquid crystal retardation layer, a liquid crystal having a T-shaped or H-shaped mesogenic structure that further has birefringence in a direction perpendicular to the molecular long axis direction is preferred from the viewpoint of exhibiting reverse wavelength dispersion, and a T-shaped liquid crystal is more preferred from the viewpoint of obtaining stronger dispersion, and specific examples of the T-shaped liquid crystal structure include compounds represented by the following formula (II). [ka] [In formula (II), Ar represents a divalent aromatic group which may have a substituent. The divalent aromatic group preferably contains at least one of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, and a sulfur atom. When the divalent group Ar contains two or more aromatic groups, the two or more aromatic groups may be bonded to each other via a divalent bonding group such as a single bond, -CO-O-, or -O-. G 1 and G 2 each independently represents a divalent aromatic group or a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group, wherein a hydrogen atom contained in the divalent aromatic group or divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group may be substituted with a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cyano group, or a nitro group, and a carbon atom constituting the divalent aromatic group or divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group may be substituted with an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a nitrogen atom. L 1 , L 2 , B 1 and B 2 are each independently a single bond or a divalent linking group. k and l each independently represent an integer of 0 to 3, and satisfy the relationship 1≦k+l. When 2≦k+l, B 1 and B 2 , G 1 and G 2 may be the same as or different from each other. E 1 and E 2 each independently represents an alkanediyl group having 1 to 17 carbon atoms, wherein a hydrogen atom contained in the alkanediyl group may be substituted with a halogen atom, and wherein a -CH2- contained in the alkanediyl group may be substituted with -O-, -S-, or -COO-, and when there are a plurality of -O-, -S-, or -COO-, they are not adjacent to each other. P 1 and P 2 each independently represents a polymerizable group or a hydrogen atom, and at least one of them is a polymerizable group.

[0214] G 1 and G 2are each independently preferably a 1,4-phenylenediyl group optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms and alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a 1,4-cyclohexanediyl group optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms and alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably a 1,4-phenylenediyl group substituted with a methyl group, an unsubstituted 1,4-phenylenediyl group, or an unsubstituted 1,4-trans-cyclohexanediyl group, and particularly preferably an unsubstituted 1,4-phenylenediyl group or an unsubstituted 1,4-trans-cyclohexanediyl group. Also, there are multiple G 1 and G 2 At least one of L is preferably a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group. 1 or L 2 G binds to 1 and G 2 It is more preferable that at least one of the groups is a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group.

[0215] L 1 and L 2 are each independently preferably a single bond, an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, -O-, -S-, -R a1 OR a2 -, -R a3 COOR a4 -, -R a5 OCOR a6 -, -R a7 OC=OOR a8 -, -N=N-, -CR c =CR d - or -C≡C-, where R a1 ~R a8 each independently represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R c and R d represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom. 1 and L 2 are each independently preferably a single bond, -O Ra2-1 -, -CH2-, -CH2CH2-, -COOR a4-1- or -OCOR a6-1 -, where R a2-1 , R a4-1 , R a6-1 Each independently represents a single bond, -CH2-, or -CH2CH2-. 1 and L 2 are each independently more preferably a single bond, -O-, -CH2CH2-, -COO-, -COOCH2CH2-, or -OCO-.

[0216] B 1 and B 2 are each independently preferably a single bond, an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, -O-, -S-, -R a9 OR a10 -, -R a11 COOR a12 -, -R a13 OCOR a14 - or -R a15 OC=OOR a16 -, where R a9 ~R a16 each independently represents a single bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 1 and B 2 are each independently preferably a single bond, -OR a10-1 -, -CH2-, -CH2CH2-, -COOR a12-1 - or -OCOR a14-1 -, where R a10-1 , R a12-1 , R a14-1 Each independently represents a single bond, -CH2-, or -CH2CH2-. B 1 and B 2 are each independently more preferably a single bond, -O-, -CH2CH2-, -COO-, -COOCH2CH2-, -OCO-, or -OCOCH2CH2-.

[0217] From the viewpoint of exhibiting reverse wavelength dispersion, k and l are preferably in the range of 2≦k+l≦6, preferably k+l=4, and more preferably k=2 and l=2. When k=2 and l=2, a symmetric structure is obtained, which is preferable.

[0218] E 1 and E 2 are each independently preferably an alkanediyl group having 1 to 17 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkanediyl group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

[0219] P 1 or P 2 Examples of the polymerizable group represented by the formula (I) include an epoxy group, a vinyl group, a vinyloxy group, a 1-chlorovinyl group, an isopropenyl group, a 4-vinylphenyl group, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group. Among these, an acryloyloxy group, a methacryloyloxy group, a vinyloxy group, an oxiranyl group, and an oxetanyl group are preferred, and an acryloyloxy group is more preferred.

[0220] Ar preferably has at least one selected from an aromatic hydrocarbon ring which may have a substituent, an aromatic heterocyclic ring which may have a substituent, and an electron-withdrawing group. Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon ring include a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, and an anthracene ring, with a benzene ring and a naphthalene ring being preferred. Examples of the aromatic heterocyclic ring include a furan ring, a benzofuran ring, a pyrrole ring, an indole ring, a thiophene ring, a benzothiophene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazole ring, a triazine ring, a pyrroline ring, an imidazole ring, a pyrazole ring, a thiazole ring, a benzothiazole ring, a thienothiazole ring, an oxazole ring, a benzoxazole ring, and a phenanthroline ring. Among these, a thiazole ring, a benzothiazole ring, or a benzofuran ring is preferred, and a benzothiazole group is even more preferred. Furthermore, when Ar contains a nitrogen atom, it is preferred that the nitrogen atom has π electrons.

[0221] In formula (II), the total number Nπ of π electrons contained in the divalent aromatic group represented by Ar is preferably 8 or more, more preferably 10 or more, even more preferably 14 or more, and particularly preferably 16 or more. It is also preferably 30 or less, more preferably 26 or less, and even more preferably 24 or less.

[0222] Suitable examples of the aromatic group represented by Ar include the following groups: [ka] [Formula (Ar-1) to formula (Ar-23), * indicates the connection part, Z 0 , Z 1 and Z 2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkylsulfinyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkylsulfonyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a carboxyl group, a fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an N-alkylamino group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an N,N-dialkylamino group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, an N-alkylsulfamoyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an N,N-dialkylsulfamoyl group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Q 1 and Q 2 are each independently -CR 2’ R 3’ -, -S-, -NH-, -NR 2’ represents -, -CO- or O-; R 2 ' and R 3’ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. J 1 , and J 2 each independently represents a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom. Y 1 , Y 2 and Y 3 each independently represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group or an optionally substituted aromatic heterocyclic group. W 1 and W 2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, a methyl group, or a halogen atom. m represents an integer of 0 to 6.

[0223] Y 1 , Y 2and Y 3 Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group in the formula (I) include aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, such as a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthryl group, a phenanthryl group, and a biphenyl group, with a phenyl group and a naphthyl group being preferred, and a phenyl group being more preferred. Examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group include aromatic heterocyclic groups having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and containing at least one heteroatom, such as a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom, such as a furyl group, a pyrrolyl group, a thienyl group, a pyridinyl group, a thiazolyl group, and a benzothiazolyl group being preferred.

[0224] Y 1 , Y 2 and Y 3 may each independently be an optionally substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group or polycyclic aromatic heterocyclic group. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group refers to a fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group or a group derived from an aromatic ring assembly. The polycyclic aromatic heterocyclic group refers to a fused polycyclic aromatic heterocyclic group or a group derived from an aromatic ring assembly.

[0225] Z 0 , Z 1 and Z 2 are each independently preferably a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and Z 0 is more preferably a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or a cyano group, and Z 1 and Z 2 is more preferably a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a methyl group, or a cyano group.

[0226] Q 1 and Q 2 -NH-, -S-, -NR 2’ -, -O- are preferred, and R 2’ is preferably a hydrogen atom, and among these, -S-, -O-, and -NH- are particularly preferred.

[0227] Among the compounds represented by formulae (Ar-1) to (Ar-23), the compounds represented by formulae (Ar-6) and (Ar-7) are preferred from the viewpoint of molecular stability.

[0228] In the compounds represented by formulae (Ar-16) to (Ar-23), Y 1 is the nitrogen atom to which it is bonded and Z 0 and Y may form an aromatic heterocyclic group together. Examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group include those mentioned above as aromatic heterocycles that Ar may have, such as a pyrrole ring, an imidazole ring, a pyrroline ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, an indole ring, a quinoline ring, an isoquinoline ring, a purine ring, and a pyrrolidine ring. This aromatic heterocyclic group may have a substituent. In addition, Y 1 is the nitrogen atom to which it is bonded and Z 0 and may be the above-mentioned optionally substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group or polycyclic aromatic heterocyclic group, such as a benzofuran ring, a benzothiazole ring, or a benzoxazole ring.

[0229] Among polymerizable liquid crystal compounds, compounds with a maximum absorption wavelength of 300 to 400 nm are preferred. When a photopolymerization initiator is included in a composition for forming a liquid crystal retardation layer containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, polymerization and gelation of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound may occur during long-term storage. However, if the polymerizable liquid crystal compound has a maximum absorption wavelength of 300 to 400 nm, even if the composition is exposed to ultraviolet light during storage, the generation of reactive species from the photopolymerization initiator and the polymerization and gelation of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound caused by the reactive species can be effectively suppressed. This is advantageous in terms of long-term stability of the composition for forming a liquid crystal retardation layer, and can improve the alignment and film thickness uniformity of the liquid crystal retardation layer. The maximum absorption wavelength of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound can be measured using a UV-visible spectrophotometer in a solvent. The solvent can dissolve the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, such as chloroform.

[0230] The content of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound in the composition for forming a liquid crystal retardation layer is, for example, 70 to 99.5 parts by mass, preferably 80 to 99 parts by mass, more preferably 85 to 98 parts by mass, and even more preferably 90 to 95 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the composition for forming a liquid crystal retardation layer. If the content of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is within the above range, it is advantageous from the viewpoint of the alignment of the obtained liquid crystal cured film.

[0231] The liquid crystal retardation layer may include an alignment layer. The alignment layer may be selected depending on the direction in which the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is to be aligned. For example, it may be a vertical alignment layer or a horizontal alignment layer. If the alignment layer is made of a material that exerts a horizontal alignment as an alignment restraint force, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound can form horizontal alignment or hybrid alignment. If the alignment layer is made of a material that exerts vertical alignment, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound can form vertical alignment or tilted alignment. The terms horizontal, vertical, and the like refer to the direction of the major axis of the aligned polymerizable liquid crystal compound relative to the plane of the liquid crystal retardation layer. For example, vertical alignment means that the major axis of the aligned polymerizable liquid crystal compound is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the liquid crystal retardation layer. Here, vertical means 90°±20° relative to the plane of the liquid crystal retardation layer. Examples of alignment layers include those described above for the vertical alignment layer and horizontal alignment layer.

[0232] (1st adhesive layer, 2nd adhesive layer) The first adhesive layer 21 and the second adhesive layer 23 (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as "adhesive layers") that may be used in the optical laminates 1 to 4 are pressure-sensitive adhesive layers or adhesive layers.

[0233] The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer can be formed using a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition or a reaction product of the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition exhibits adhesive properties when attached to an adherend, and is known as a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In addition, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed using the active energy ray-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive composition described below can be irradiated with active energy rays to adjust the degree of crosslinking and adhesive strength.

[0234] As the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, any conventionally known pressure-sensitive adhesive having excellent optical transparency can be used without particular limitation. For example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition containing a base polymer such as an acrylic polymer, a urethane polymer, a silicone polymer, or a polyvinyl ether can be used. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition may also be an active energy ray-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive composition or a heat-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive composition. Among these, a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition having an acrylic resin as the base polymer is preferred, as it is excellent in transparency, adhesive strength, removability (reworkability), weather resistance, heat resistance, etc. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is preferably composed of a reaction product of a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition containing a (meth)acrylic resin, a crosslinking agent, and a silane compound, and may also contain other components.

[0235] The adhesive composition for forming the adhesive layer may contain a base polymer such as an acrylic polymer, a urethane polymer, a silicone polymer, or a polyvinyl ether. The adhesive composition may be an active energy ray-curable adhesive, a thermosetting adhesive, or the like. Among these, an adhesive having a (meth)acrylic resin as the base polymer is preferred, as it is excellent in transparency, adhesive strength, removability (reworkability), weather resistance, heat resistance, and the like. The adhesive layer is preferably composed of a reaction product of an adhesive containing a (meth)acrylic resin, a crosslinking agent, and a silane compound, and may contain other components.

[0236] The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may be formed using an active energy ray-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive. The active energy ray-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive can be formed by blending an ultraviolet-curable compound such as a polyfunctional acrylate with the above-mentioned pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and then curing the layer by irradiating it with ultraviolet light, thereby forming a harder pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The active energy ray-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive has the property of being cured by irradiation with energy rays such as ultraviolet rays or electron beams. The active energy ray-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive has adhesiveness even before irradiation with energy rays, and therefore has the property of adhering to an adherend and curing by irradiation with energy rays, thereby adjusting the adhesion strength.

[0237] The thickness of the adhesive layer is not particularly limited, but is usually 5 μm or more and 300 μm or less, optionally 10 μm or more and 250 μm or less, optionally 15 μm or more and 100 μm or less, or optionally 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

[0238] The adhesive layer can be formed using an adhesive composition. The adhesive composition for forming the adhesive layer is an adhesive other than a pressure-sensitive adhesive (pressure-sensitive adhesive), such as a water-based adhesive or an active energy ray-curable adhesive.

[0239] An example of an aqueous adhesive is an adhesive in which a polyvinyl alcohol resin is dissolved or dispersed in water. When an aqueous adhesive is used, the drying method is not particularly limited, but for example, a drying method using a hot air dryer or an infrared dryer can be used.

[0240] Examples of the active energy ray-curable adhesive include solvent-free active energy ray-curable adhesives containing a curable compound that cures when irradiated with active energy rays such as ultraviolet light, visible light, electron beams, and X-rays. Use of a solvent-free active energy ray-curable adhesive can improve adhesion between layers.

[0241] The thickness of the adhesive layer is preferably 0.1 μm or more, and may be 0.5 μm or more, and is preferably 10 μm or less, and may be 5 μm or less.

[0242] (Applications of optical laminates) The optical laminate can be applied to a display device. An example of the display device is an organic EL display device. The organic EL display device can have a structure in which the above-mentioned optical laminate is laminated on an image display element via a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. In the organic EL display device, the optical laminate is incorporated so that the light-absorbing anisotropic layer, the liquid crystal polarizer, and the image display element are arranged in this order from the viewing side. Examples of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer include the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers described above. As described above, when the optical laminate is an elliptically polarizing plate, the optical laminate can be used as an anti-reflection film. [Example]

[0243] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the examples and comparative examples, "%" and "parts" are by mass % and parts by mass unless otherwise specified.

[0244] [Preparation of base layer] (Base layer (1): TAC film) A triacetyl cellulose (TAC) film (KC4UY-TAC, manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc.) was prepared. The thickness of this TAC film was 40 μm.

[0245] (Base layer (2): PET film with release treatment) A release-treated stretched polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film ("SP-PLR382050" manufactured by Lintec Corporation) was prepared. The thickness of the PET film was 38 μm.

[0246] (Base layer (3): Saponified TAC film) A saponified triacetyl cellulose (TAC) film was prepared. The thickness of this TAC film was 40 μm.

[0247] [Preparation of composition for forming horizontal alignment layer] (Synthesis of oriented polymers) According to the synthesis scheme shown below, an oriented polymer consisting of a structural unit represented by formula (1-1-1) (hereinafter also referred to as "oriented polymer (1-1-1)") was synthesized. [ka]

[0248] (Synthesis of compound represented by formula (a1-1-1)) 50 g (258 mmol) of ferulic acid was dissolved in 360 g of methanol. 10 g of sulfuric acid was added to the resulting solution at room temperature, and the temperature was raised until the solvent refluxed. The mixture was then allowed to react under reflux for 2 hours. The resulting reaction solution was cooled, and 150 g of ice and 150 g of water were added. The supernatant was removed by decantation, and 150 g of water at 5°C was added to crystallize the mixture. The resulting white crystals were filtered. The filtered white crystals were washed with a 1 M aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and water, and then vacuum-dried to obtain 22.2 g of a compound represented by formula (a1-1-1) (hereinafter also referred to as "compound (a1-1-1)"). The yield was 83% based on ferulic acid.

[0249] (Synthesis of compound represented by formula (b1-1-1)) 25 g (120 mmol) of compound (a1-1-1) was dissolved in 250 g of dimethylacetamide. 33.19 g (240 mmol) of potassium carbonate and 1.99 g (12 mmol) of potassium iodide were added to the resulting solution. 6-Chlorohexanol was added dropwise to the resulting dispersion, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and then at 70°C for 8 hours. The resulting reaction solution was filtered to remove insoluble matter. 200 g of methyl isobutyl ketone and 300 g of water were added to the filtrate, stirred, allowed to stand, and then separated to recover the organic layer. 200 g of water was added to the recovered organic layer, and the series of water washing procedures of stirring, standing, and separation was repeated twice. The solvent was removed from the recovered organic layer by vacuum distillation using an evaporator to obtain a crude product of the compound represented by formula (b1-1-1) (hereinafter also referred to as "compound (b1-1-1)").

[0250] (Synthesis of compound represented by formula (c1-1-1)) The entire amount of the crude product of compound (b1-1-1) was dissolved in 185 g of ethanol. 92 g of water and 14.41 g (360 mmol) of sodium hydroxide were added to the resulting solution, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 1 hour. After cooling the reaction solution to approximately 3°C, 2 M aqueous hydrochloric acid was added while maintaining the temperature at 5°C or below to adjust the pH to 2. The acidified white precipitate was collected by filtration, washed twice with a mixed solution of 100 g of water and 80 g of methanol, and then dried in vacuo to obtain 30.4 g of a compound represented by formula (c1-1-1) (hereinafter also referred to as "compound (c1-1-1)"). The yield was 86% based on compound (a1-1-1).

[0251] (Synthesis of Compound Represented by Formula (M1-1-1)) 27.46 g (93 mmol) of compound (c1-1-1) was dissolved in 280 g of chloroform. 2.06 g of BHT (di-t-butylhydroxytoluene) as a polymerization inhibitor and 37.73 g (373 mmol) of triethylamine were added to the resulting solution and stirred under ice cooling. 29.26 g (260 mmol) of methacrylic acid chloride was added dropwise to the reaction solution, and the mixture was stirred for 5 hours while maintaining the temperature below 5°C. 5.7 g of dimethylaminopyridine and 190 g of water were added to the resulting reaction solution and stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. After allowing to stand, the organic layer was recovered, and 100 g of 2N aqueous hydrochloric acid was added to this organic layer. This series of washing procedures, consisting of stirring, allowing to stand, and separating the layers, was repeated twice. The organic layer was recovered, and 300 g of n-heptane was added. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration. After washing twice with a mixed solvent consisting of 100 g of water and 80 g of methanol, the mixture was dried in vacuo to obtain 22.0 g of the compound represented by formula (M1-1-1) (hereinafter also referred to as "compound (M1-1-1)"). The yield was 65% based on compound (c1-1-1).

[0252] (Synthesis of Oriented Polymer (1-1-1)) In a Schlenk flask, 1.00 g (2.76 mmol) of compound (M1-1-1) and 10 g of tetrahydrofuran were added. After deoxygenation, 2.27 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was added under a nitrogen stream and stirred at 60°C for 72 hours. The resulting reaction solution was added to 200 g of toluene. The precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with heptane, and then vacuum dried to obtain 0.75 g of oriented polymer (1-1-1). The yield was 75% based on compound (M1-1-1). GPC analysis revealed that the resulting oriented polymer (1-1-1) had a number-average molecular weight of 28,200, a weight-average molecular weight of approximately 51,300, an Mw / Mn ratio of 1.82, and a monomer content of 0.5%.

[0253] (Preparation of composition (1) for forming horizontal alignment layer) Two parts of the aligning polymer (1-1-1) and 98 parts of o-xylene were mixed, and the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for one hour to obtain a composition (1) for forming a horizontal alignment layer.

[0254] (Preparation of composition (2) for forming horizontal alignment layer) Composition (2) for forming a horizontal alignment layer was obtained by adding 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane ("KBE-903" manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) to the composition (1) for forming a horizontal alignment layer obtained above so that the amount was 1.0 part per 100 parts of the oriented polymer (1-1-1) and mixing.

[0255] [Preparation of composition for forming liquid crystal polarizer] (Preparation of Liquid Crystal Polarizer-Forming Composition (1)) The components shown below were mixed and stirred at 80° C. for 1 hour to obtain a liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition (1). Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1): 75 parts Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (2): 25 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (1): 2.8 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (2): 2.8 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (3): 2.8 parts Polymerization initiator (2-dimethylamino-2-benzyl-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)butan-1-one (Irgacure 369, manufactured by BASF)): 6 parts Leveling agent (polyacrylate compound (BYK-361N, manufactured by BYK-Chemie): 1.2 parts Solvent (cyclopentanone): 250 parts

[0256] The polymerizable liquid crystal compounds (1) and (2) have the structures shown below and were synthesized according to the method described in Lub et al., Recl. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas, 115, 321-328 (1996). ·Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1): [ka] ·Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (2): [ka]

[0257] The dichroic dyes (1) to (3) used were azo dyes having the structures shown below. Dichroic dyes (1) [ka] Dichroic dyes (2) [ka] Dichroic dyes (3) [ka]

[0258] (Preparation of Liquid Crystal Polarizer-Forming Composition (2)) The components shown below were mixed and stirred at 80° C. for 1 hour to obtain a liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition (1). Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1): 75 parts Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (2): 25 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (1): 2.8 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (2): 2.8 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (3): 2.8 parts Polymerization initiator (2-dimethylamino-2-benzyl-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)butan-1-one (Irgacure 369, manufactured by BASF)): 6 parts Leveling agent (polyacrylate compound (BYK-361N, manufactured by BYK-Chemie): 1.2 parts Reactive additive (Laromer® LR-9000, manufactured by BASF): 2 parts Solvent (cyclopentanone): 250 parts

[0259] The structures and synthesis methods of the polymerizable liquid crystal compounds (1) and (2) are as described above. The reactive additive includes a compound having the structure shown below. [ka]

[0260] [Preparation of composition for forming optically absorptive anisotropic layer] (Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer-Forming Composition (1)) The components shown below were mixed and stirred at 80° C. for 1 hour to obtain a composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1). Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1): 75 parts Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (2): 25 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (4): 1.2 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (5): 1.7 parts Polymerization initiator (2-dimethylamino-2-benzyl-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)butan-1-one (Irgacure 369, manufactured by BASF): 6 parts Leveling agent (Megafac F-556, manufactured by DIC Corporation): 0.25 parts Solvent (o-xylene): 670 parts

[0261] The structures and synthesis methods of the polymerizable liquid crystal compounds (1) and (2) are as described above.

[0262] The dichroic dyes (4) and (5) used were azo dyes having the structures shown below. Dichroic dyes (4): [ka] Dichroic dyes (5): [ka]

[0263] (Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer-Forming Composition (2)) The components shown below were mixed and stirred at 80° C. for 1 hour to obtain a composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (2). Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (1): 75 parts Polymerizable liquid crystal compound (2): 25 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (4): 1.2 parts Dichroic dye (azo dye) (5): 1.7 parts Polymerization initiator (2-dimethylamino-2-benzyl-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)butan-1-one (Irgacure 369, manufactured by BASF): 6 parts Leveling agent (Megafac F-556, manufactured by DIC Corporation): 0.25 parts Non-liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group (dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (hexafunctional)): 1.5 parts Reactive additive (Laromer® LR-9000, manufactured by BASF): 2 parts Solvent (o-xylene): 670 parts

[0264] The structures and synthesis methods of the polymerizable liquid crystal compounds (1) and (2), the structures of the dichroic dyes (4) and (5), and the structure of the reactive additive are as described above.

[0265] [Preparation of protective layer-forming composition] (Preparation of Water-Soluble Polymer-Containing Resin Composition) A water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition was prepared by adding 3 parts of carboxyl group-modified polyvinyl alcohol (Kuraray Poval KL318, manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) and 1.5 parts of water-soluble polyamide epoxy resin (Sumirez Resin 650 (aqueous solution with a solids concentration of 30%), manufactured by Sumika Chemtex Co., Ltd.) to 100 parts of water.

[0266] (Preparation of Hard Coat Composition) A hard coat composition was prepared by mixing the following components and stirring at 80° C. for 1 hour. Acrylate compound (dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate): 50 parts Urethane acrylate compound (urethane acrylate (manufactured by Daicel Allnex Co., Ltd., "Ebecryl 4858")): 50 parts Radical polymerization initiator (2-[4-(methylthio)benzoyl]-2-(4-morpholinyl)propane (BASF, "Irgacure 907")): 3 parts Solvent (methyl ethyl ketone): 10 parts

[0267] (Preparation of Photocurable Compositions (1) to (6)) Photocurable compositions (1) to (6) were prepared by mixing cationic polymerizable compounds (monomers (A-1) to (A-6)) and cationic polymerization initiators in the amounts shown in Table 1, followed by degassing. In Table 1, the amounts of cationic polymerizable compounds and cationic polymerization initiators are expressed in parts by mass. The monomers (A-1) to (A-6) and cationic polymerization initiator (B) are the components shown below. The cationic polymerization initiator (B) was mixed as a 50% by mass propylene carbonate solution, and the solid content thereof is shown in Table 1.

[0268] (cationically polymerizable compound) A-1: 3',4'-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate (manufactured by Daicel Corporation, "CEL2021P") A-2: 1,6-hexanediol diglycidyl ether (Nagase ChemteX Corporation, "EX-212L") A-3: 4-Hydroxybutyl vinyl ether (Maruzen Petrochemical Co., Ltd., "HBVE") A-4: p-tert-butylphenyl glycidyl ether (Nagase ChemteX Corporation, "EX-146") A-5: Bisphenol F epoxy resin (DIC Corporation, "EXA-830CRP") A-6: 2-Ethylhexyl glycidyl ether (Nagase ChemteX Corporation, "EX-121")

[0269] (cationic polymerization initiator) B: Cationic polymerization initiator (50% by mass solution) (manufactured by San-Apro Co., Ltd., "CPI-100P")

[0270] [Table 1]

[0271] [Preparing the adhesive layer] As the adhesive layer, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (manufactured by Lintec Corporation) having a thickness of 20 μm was prepared.

[0272] Example 1 (Preparation of Liquid Crystal Polarizer (1)) The composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer (2) was applied to the base layer (1) (TAC film) using a bar coater, dried at 80°C for 1 minute, and then irradiated with 100 mJ / cm using a polarized UV irradiation device (SPOT CURE SP-7 with polarizer unit; manufactured by Ushio Inc.). 2 The film was exposed to polarized UV light with an integrated light amount of 1000 to form a horizontal alignment layer 1. The thickness of the obtained horizontal alignment layer 1 was measured with an ellipsometer M-220 (manufactured by JASCO Corporation) and was found to be 40 nm.

[0273] The liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition (2) was applied onto the horizontal alignment layer (1) using a bar coater, and then dried for 1 minute in a drying oven set at 120°C. Thereafter, ultraviolet light was irradiated using a high-pressure mercury lamp (Uniquer VB-15201BY-A, manufactured by Ushio Inc.) (under a nitrogen atmosphere, wavelength: 365 nm, cumulative light intensity at wavelength 365 nm: 1000 mJ / cm). 2 ) to form a liquid crystal polarizer (1) in which the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye were horizontally aligned. The thickness of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) was measured with an ellipsometer and found to be 2.0 μm.

[0274] The surface of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) opposite to the horizontal alignment layer (1) side was subjected to a corona treatment once at an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m / min using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) A water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition was applied to the corona-treated surface of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) using a bar coater and dried at 100°C for 2 minutes to form a first protective layer (1) with a thickness of 1 μm.

[0275] (Preparation of optical laminate (1)) The surface of the first protective layer (1) opposite to the liquid crystal polarizer (1) side was subjected to a corona treatment once using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) under conditions of an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m / min. The light absorption anisotropic layer-forming composition (2) was applied to the corona-treated surface of the first protective layer (1) using a bar coater, and then dried for 1 minute in a drying oven set at 100°C. Next, ultraviolet light was irradiated (under a nitrogen atmosphere, wavelength: 365 nm, cumulative light intensity at 365 nm: 500 mJ / cm) using a high-pressure mercury lamp (Uniqure VB-15201BY-A, manufactured by Ushio Inc.). 2 ) to form an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) containing a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye. In the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1), the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye were aligned perpendicular to the coating film plane. The thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) was measured using an ellipsometer M-220 (manufactured by JASCO Corporation) and was found to be 0.9 μm.

[0276] The surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) opposite the first protective layer (1) was subjected to a corona treatment once using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) under conditions of an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m / min. A water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition was applied to the corona-treated surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) using a bar coater and dried at 100°C for 2 minutes to form a third protective layer (1) with a thickness of 1 μm. This resulted in an optical laminate (1) having a layer structure of base layer (1) / horizontal alignment layer (1) / liquid crystal polarizer (1) / first protective layer (1) / optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) / third protective layer (1).

[0277] Example 2 A water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition was applied to the release-treated surface of the base layer (2) (a release-treated PET film) using a bar coater and dried for 2 minutes at 100°C to form a second protective layer (1) with a thickness of 1 µm. The surface of the second protective layer (1) opposite to the base layer (2) was subjected to a corona treatment once using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) under conditions of an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m / min.

[0278] An optical laminate (2) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer (2) was applied to the corona-treated surface of the second protective layer (1) formed on the base layer (2) instead of on the base layer (1). The layer structure of the optical laminate (2) was base layer (2) / second protective layer (1) / horizontal alignment layer (1) / liquid crystal polarizer (1) / first protective layer (1) / light absorption anisotropic layer (1) / third protective layer (1).

[0279] Example 3 A hard coat composition was applied to the release-treated surface of the base layer (2) (a release-treated PET film) using a bar coater, dried at 80°C for 1 minute, and irradiated with ultraviolet light (under a nitrogen atmosphere, wavelength: 365 nm, cumulative light intensity at a wavelength of 365 nm: 500 mJ / cm) using a high-pressure mercury lamp (Uniqure VB-15201BY-A, manufactured by Ushio Inc.). 2) to form a second protective layer (2) (thickness: about 3 μm) as a hard coat layer. A liquid crystal polarizer (1) was formed in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the horizontal alignment layer (1) was formed on the second protective layer (2) formed on the base layer (2) instead of the second protective layer (1) formed on the base layer (2).

[0280] The surface of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) opposite to the horizontal alignment layer (1) side was subjected to a corona treatment once using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) under conditions of an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m / min. A hard coat composition was applied to the corona-treated surface of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) using a bar coater, dried at 80°C for 1 minute, and irradiated with ultraviolet light (under a nitrogen atmosphere, wavelength: 365 nm, cumulative light intensity at 365 nm: 500 mJ / cm) using a high-pressure mercury lamp (Uniqure VB-15201BY-A, manufactured by Ushio Inc.). 2 ) to form a first protective layer (2) (thickness: about 3 μm) as a hard coat layer.

[0281] An optical laminate (3) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the optically absorbing anisotropic layer (1) was formed on the first protective layer (2) instead of on the first protective layer (1). The layer structure of the optical laminate (3) was base layer (2) / second protective layer (2) / horizontal alignment layer (1) / liquid crystal polarizer (1) / first protective layer (2) / optically absorbing anisotropic layer (1) / third protective layer (1).

[0282] Example 4 An optical laminate (4) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the optically absorptive anisotropic layer-forming composition (1) was used instead of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer-forming composition (2). The layer structure of the optical laminate (4) was base layer (2) / second protective layer (1) / horizontal alignment layer (1) / liquid crystal polarizer (1) / first protective layer (1) / optically absorptive anisotropic layer (2) / third protective layer (1).

[0283] Example 5 An optical laminate (5) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that a base layer (3) (saponified TAC film) was used instead of the base layer (2). The layer structure of the optical laminate (5) was base layer (3) / second protective layer (1) / horizontal alignment layer (1) / liquid crystal polarizer (1) / first protective layer (1) / light absorption anisotropic layer (1) / third protective layer (1).

[0284] Examples 6 to 11 Optical laminates (6) to (11) were obtained in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the first protective layers (3) to (8) were formed using the photocurable compositions (1) to (6) shown in Table 1 instead of the hard coat composition.

[0285] Comparative Example 1 (Preparation of liquid crystal polarizer (c1) with substrate layer) The base layer (1) (TAC film) was subjected to a corona treatment once using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) under conditions of an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m / min. The composition (2) for forming a horizontal alignment layer was applied to the corona-treated surface of the base layer (1) using a bar coater, dried at 80°C for 1 minute, and then irradiated with 100 mJ / cm using a polarized UV irradiation device (SPOT CURE SP-7 with polarizer unit, manufactured by Ushio Inc.). 2 The film was exposed to polarized UV light with an integrated light amount of 40 nm to form a horizontal alignment layer 2. The thickness of the resulting horizontal alignment layer 2 was measured with an ellipsometer M-220 (manufactured by JASCO Corporation) and found to be 40 nm.

[0286] A liquid crystal polarizer (c1) with a substrate layer was formed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition (1) was applied onto the horizontal alignment layer (2) formed on the substrate layer (1) instead of applying the liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition (2) onto the horizontal alignment layer (1) formed on the substrate layer (1). The layer structure of the liquid crystal polarizer (c1) with a substrate layer was substrate layer (1) / horizontal alignment layer (2) / liquid crystal polarizer (2) / first protective layer (1).

[0287] (Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer (c1) with Film Substrate) The substrate layer (1) was subjected to corona treatment according to the procedure described in the preparation of the substrate layer-attached liquid crystal polarizer (c1). This substrate layer (1) was used as a film substrate, and a hard coat composition was applied to the corona-treated surface of the film substrate using a bar coater, dried at 80°C for 1 minute, and irradiated with ultraviolet light (under a nitrogen atmosphere, wavelength: 365 nm, cumulative light intensity at wavelength 365 nm: 500 mJ / cm) using a high-pressure mercury lamp (Uniqure VB-15201BY-A, manufactured by Ushio Inc.). 2 ) to form a hard coat layer (hereinafter also referred to as "HC layer") (thickness: about 3 μm).

[0288] An optically absorbing anisotropic layer (2) was formed in the same manner as in Example 4, except that the optically absorbing anisotropic layer-forming composition (1) was applied onto the HC layer instead of onto the corona-treated surface of the first protective layer (1).

[0289] The surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (2) opposite the HC layer side was subjected to a corona treatment once using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) under conditions of an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m / min. A hard coat composition was applied to the corona-treated surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) using a bar coater, dried at 80°C for 1 minute, and irradiated with ultraviolet light (under a nitrogen atmosphere, wavelength: 365 nm, cumulative light intensity at 365 nm: 500 mJ / cm) using a high-pressure mercury lamp (Uniqure VB-15201BY-A, manufactured by Ushio Inc.). 2 ) to form an HC layer (thickness: about 3 μm). This resulted in a film substrate-attached optically absorptive anisotropic layer (c1) having a layer structure of film substrate (1) (substrate layer (1)) / HC layer / optically absorptive anisotropic layer (2) / HC layer.

[0290] (Preparation of optical laminate (c1)) The first protective layer (1) side of the liquid crystal polarizer (c1) with a substrate layer and the HC layer side of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer (c1) with a film substrate were each subjected to a corona treatment once using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) under conditions of an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m / min. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer prepared above was then laminated on the first protective layer (1), and the HC layer side of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer (c1) with a film substrate was then laminated on this pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to obtain an optical laminate (c1). The layer structure of the optical laminate (c1) was substrate layer (1) / horizontal alignment layer (2) / liquid crystal polarizer (2) / first protective layer (1) / pressure-sensitive adhesive layer / HC layer / light-absorbing anisotropic layer (2) / HC layer / film substrate (1) (substrate layer (1)).

[0291] Comparative Example 2 (Preparation of liquid crystal polarizer (c2) with substrate layer) An HC layer was formed on the substrate layer (2) and corona treatment was performed on the HC layer in the same manner as in Example 3. A liquid crystal polarizer (c2) with a substrate layer was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that the composition (1) for forming a horizontal alignment layer was applied to the corona-treated surface of the HC layer formed on the substrate layer (2) instead of the corona-treated surface of the substrate layer (1). The layer structure of the liquid crystal polarizer (c2) with a substrate layer was substrate layer (2) / HC layer / horizontal alignment layer (2) / liquid crystal polarizer (2) / first protective layer (1).

[0292] (Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Layer (c1) with Film Substrate) Except for using a substrate layer (2) instead of the substrate layer (1) as the film substrate and performing a corona treatment on the release-treated surface of the substrate layer (2) to form an HC layer, an optically absorptive anisotropic layer (c2) with a film substrate was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1. The layer structure of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (c2) with a film substrate was film substrate (2) (substrate layer (2)) / HC layer / optically absorptive anisotropic layer (2) / HC layer.

[0293] (Preparation of optical laminate (c2)) Except for using a liquid crystal polarizer (c2) with a substrate layer instead of the liquid crystal polarizer (c1) with a substrate layer, and using a light-absorbing anisotropic layer (c2) with a film substrate instead of the light-absorbing anisotropic layer (c1) with a film substrate, an optical laminate (c2) was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1. The layer structure of the optical laminate (c2) was substrate layer (2) / HC layer / horizontal alignment layer (2) / liquid crystal polarizer (2) / first protective layer (1) / pressure-sensitive adhesive layer / HC layer / light-absorbing anisotropic layer (2) / HC layer / film substrate (2) (substrate layer (2)).

[0294] Comparative Example 3 An optical laminate (r3) was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) was formed on the liquid crystal polarizer (1) without forming the first protective layer (1). The layer structure of the optical laminate (c3) was base layer (2) / second protective layer (1) / horizontal alignment layer (1) / liquid crystal polarizer (1) / optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1) / third protective layer (1).

[0295] [Measurement of absorbance of optically absorbing anisotropic layer] Using the procedures described in the Examples and Comparative Examples, an optically absorptive anisotropic layer was formed on a base layer (1) (TAC film), and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer was attached to a 4 cm x 4 cm x 0.7 mm thick glass sheet via the adhesive layer prepared above. This was used as measurement sample (1). Measurement sample (1) was placed in a UV-visible spectrophotometer (Shimadzu Corporation, "UV-2450") to measure absorbance, and Ax at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm was determined. Furthermore, for measurement sample (1), the optically absorptive anisotropic layer was rotated 60° around the y-axis using the UV-visible spectrophotometer, and the absorbance Ax (z = 60) at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm was determined. Since the absorbance of the base layer can be considered to be 0 (zero), Ax and Ax(z=60) measured for the measurement sample (1) can be said to be the absorbance of the light absorption anisotropic layer. The results are shown in Tables 2 to 4.

[0296] The x-axis represents an arbitrary direction within the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, the y-axis represents a direction perpendicular to the x-axis within the film plane, and the z-axis represents the thickness direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. Ax represents the absorbance at the maximum absorption wavelength of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, and the absorbance of linearly polarized light oscillating in the x-axis direction. Ax (z=60) represents the absorbance at the maximum absorption wavelength when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is rotated 60° around the y-axis as the rotation axis, and the absorbance of linearly polarized light oscillating in the x-axis direction.

[0297] When measuring absorbance, the measurement sample (1) was placed in an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer (Shimadzu Corporation, UV-2450), and Ax was measured after correcting the absorbance at a wavelength of 800 nm to zero. For Ax (z = 60), the measurement sample (1) was similarly placed and tilted, and the absorbance at a wavelength of 800 nm was corrected to zero, after which Ax (z = 60) was measured. The absorbance described below was also measured after correction using the same procedure.

[0298] Whether the optically absorptive anisotropic layer satisfied the relationship of the above formula (1) (Az>(Ax+Ay) / 2) was determined by the following procedure. With the measurement sample (1) rotated by 30° and 60° so as to include the y-axis, Ax (z=30°) and Ax (z=60°) were measured by incidenting the same linearly polarized light as when Ax was measured. Similarly, with the measurement sample (1) rotated by 30° and 60° so as to include the x-axis, Ay (z=30°) and Ay (z=60°) were measured by incidenting the same linearly polarized light as when Ay was measured. When there is no absorption anisotropy in the xy plane, i.e., when Ax and Ay are equal, Ax(z=30°)=Ay(z=30°) and Ax(z=60°)=Ay(z=60°), so Ax(z=30°) and Ay(z=30°) were defined as A(z=30°), Ax(z=60°) and Ay(z=60°) were defined as A(z=60), and Ax(z=90°) and Ay(z=90°) were defined as A(z=90). When in the relationship of A(z = 30°) < A(z = 60°), in order to satisfy the relationship of A(z = 30°) < A(z = 60°) < A(z = 90°) = Az, if A(z = 30°) > (Ax + Ay) / 2 or A(z = 60°) > (Ax + Ay) / 2, it was determined that the relationship of the above formula (1) was satisfied. The results are shown in Tables 2 to 4.

[0299] [Measurement of Refractive Index of the First Protective Layer and the Second Protective Layer] The refractive indices of the first protective layers (3) to (8) formed using the photocurable compositions (1) to (6) shown in Table 1, and the refractive index of the second protective layer (2) formed using the hard coat composition were measured by the following procedure. The photocurable compositions (1) to (6) and the hard coat composition shown in Table 1 were each coated on one side of a cycloolefin polymer (COP) film (manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd., "ZF-14") using a bar coater (manufactured by Daiichi Rika Co., Ltd.), and the integrated light amount was 500 mJ / cm 2 using an ultraviolet irradiation device (manufactured by Fusion UV Systems Co., Ltd.) so as to irradiate ultraviolet rays, and a cured product layer was formed on the COP film. The film thicknesses of the COP film and the cured product layer were measured with a contact type film thickness meter, and the film thickness of the cured product layer was calculated by subtracting the thickness of the COP film. As a result, it was about 30 μm. The COP film on the cured product layer was peeled off, and the three-dimensional refractive index of the cured product layer at 589 nm under the temperature condition of 25 °C was measured using a multi-wavelength Abbe refractometer (manufactured by Atago Co., Ltd., "DR-M4"). Among the three-dimensional refractive indices measured for the cured product layer, the refractive index in the direction parallel to the transmission axis direction of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) was taken as the refractive index of the cured product layer. Since the first protective layers (3) to (8) and the second protective layer (2) do not have in-plane orientation, the refractive index in the direction parallel to the transmission axis direction of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) and the refractive index in the direction parallel to the absorption axis direction are the same value. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0300] [Measurement of Refractive Index of the Third Protective Layer] The refractive index of the third protective layer (1) formed using a water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition was measured using the following procedure. The water-soluble polymer-containing resin composition was applied to one side of a cycloolefin polymer (COP) film (Zeon Corporation, "ZF-14") using a bar coater (Daiichi Rika Co., Ltd.) and dried at 100°C for 2 minutes to form a 1 μm-thick third protective layer (1). The COP film on the third protective layer (1) was peeled off, and the three-dimensional refractive index of the protective layer was measured at 589 nm under a temperature condition of 25°C using a multi-wavelength Abbe refractometer (Atago Corporation, "DR-M4"). Of the three-dimensional refractive indices measured for the third protective layer (1), the refractive index in the direction parallel to the transmission axis direction of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) was taken as the refractive index of the third protective layer (1). Note that because the third protective layer (1) does not have in-plane orientation, the refractive index in the direction parallel to the transmission axis direction and the refractive index in the direction parallel to the absorption axis direction of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) are the same value. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0301] [Measurement of refractive index of horizontal alignment layer] A laminate comprising a COP film and a horizontal alignment layer was obtained by the same procedure as in Example 1, except that a cycloolefin polymer (COP) film (ZF-14, manufactured by Zeon Corporation) was used instead of the substrate layer (1). The horizontally aligned liquid crystal cured layer side of this laminate was attached to glass via an adhesive layer to obtain a measurement sample (m1). After confirming that the COP film had no retardation, the three-dimensional refractive index of the measurement sample (m1) at 589 nm was determined using an ellipsometer. Of the three-dimensional refractive indices determined for the horizontal alignment layer, the refractive index in the direction parallel to the transmission axis of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) was taken as the refractive index of the horizontal alignment layer. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0302] [Measurement of the refractive index of the liquid crystal polarizer (1)] A laminate having a horizontally aligned layer and a horizontally aligned cured liquid crystal layer in this order on a COP film was obtained by the same procedure as in Example 1 for preparing the liquid crystal polarizer (1), except that a cycloolefin polymer (COP) film (ZF-14, manufactured by Zeon Corporation) was used instead of the base layer (1) and a liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition (2) was used instead of the liquid crystal polarizer-forming composition (2) without the dichroic dye and reactive additive. The horizontally aligned cured liquid crystal layer side of this laminate was attached to glass via an adhesive layer, and the COP film and horizontally aligned layer were peeled off to obtain a measurement sample (m2). After confirming that the COP film had no retardation, the three-dimensional refractive index of the measurement sample (m2) at 589 nm was determined using an ellipsometer. Of the three-dimensional refractive indices determined for the horizontally aligned cured liquid crystal layer, the refractive index in the direction parallel to the transmission axis of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) was defined as the refractive index of the liquid crystal polarizer (1). The results are shown in Table 3. The refractive index in the thickness direction of the horizontally aligned cured liquid crystal layer was 1.53.

[0303] [Measurement of refractive index of optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1)] A laminate comprising a COP film and a vertically aligned liquid crystal cured layer was obtained by the same procedure as in Example 1 for preparing the optically absorbent anisotropic layer (1), except that a composition obtained by removing the dichroic dye from the optically absorbent anisotropic layer-forming composition (2) was used instead of the first protective layer (1). The vertically aligned liquid crystal cured layer side of this laminate was attached to glass via an adhesive layer to obtain a measurement sample (m3). After confirming that the COP film had no retardation, the retardation and average refractive index were measured by varying the angle of incidence of light onto the measurement sample (m3) using an ellipsometer. The three-dimensional refractive index at 589 nm was calculated from the measured retardation, average refractive index, and thickness of the vertically aligned liquid crystal cured layer. The front retardation value R0 of the vertically aligned liquid crystal cured layer was R0(550) = 1.3 nm. The retardation value R40 when the vertically aligned liquid crystal cured layer was tilted 40° around the fast axis was R40 = (550) = 21.9 nm. The retardation values ​​Rth in the thickness direction of the vertically aligned liquid crystal cured layer were Rth(450) = -91 nm, Rth(550) = -84 nm, and Rth(450) / Rth(550) = 1.09. The values ​​in parentheses represent the measurement wavelength [nm]. Of the three-dimensional refractive indices obtained for the vertically aligned liquid crystal cured layer, the refractive index in the direction parallel to the transmission axis direction of the liquid crystal polarizer (1) was taken as the refractive index of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer (1). The results are shown in Table 3. The refractive index in the thickness direction of the vertically aligned liquid crystal cured layer was 1.66.

[0304] [Calculation of front transmittance] For the optical laminates prepared in Examples 6 to 11, in which the base layer (2) was peeled off, the front transmittance [%] of linearly polarized light having a vibration plane in the transmission axis direction of the liquid crystal polarizer was calculated. The front transmittance was calculated based on the reflectance R obtained using the Fresnel formula (F1) below, assuming that the optical absorption in the visible region of each layer was zero, and using the refractive indices of the first protective layer, second protective layer, third protective layer, horizontal alignment layer, liquid crystal polarizer (1) (horizontally aligned liquid crystal cured layer), and light absorption anisotropic layer (1) (vertically aligned liquid crystal cured layer) calculated above. Specifically, [i] for each layer constituting the laminate, the reflectance R of the two interfaces in the stacking direction of the laminate was calculated using the formula (F1) below. [ii] Starting from the layer on the light incident side of the laminate (the third protective layer side), the transmittance of each layer was calculated using the reflectance calculated in [i] above to calculate the front transmittance of the laminate. The calculation of the transmittance of each layer calculated in [ii] above was performed according to the following procedure. First, the transmittance (1) of the third protective layer, which is the layer on the light-incident side of the laminate, is calculated by subtracting the reflectances of the two interfaces of the third protective layer (the interface with the air layer and the optically absorbing anisotropic layer) from the intensity of light incident on the third protective layer. Next, the transmittance (2) of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer adjacent to the third protective layer is calculated by subtracting the reflectances of the two interfaces of the optically absorbing anisotropic layer (the third protective layer and the first protective layer) from the transmittance (1), which is the intensity of light incident on the optically absorbing anisotropic layer. This transmittance calculation method is repeated sequentially for each layer constituting the laminate to calculate the front transmittance of the laminate. Note that the second protective layer and the third protective layer, which are layers located on the surface (outer surface) of the laminate, have an interface with an air layer on the surface side of the optical laminate, and the refractive index of this air layer was set to 1.0. The results are shown in Table 3. R=[(n1-n2) / (n1+n2)] 2 (F1) [In formula (F1), R represents the reflectance at the interface between adjacently stacked mediums 1 and 2, n1 represents the refractive index of medium 1, n2 represents the refractive index of medium 2.]

[0305] [Evaluation of processability of optical laminates] In producing the optical laminate, the number of times the layers were bonded together using the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer was counted and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Tables 2 to 4. (Evaluation criteria) A: The number of times of lamination is 0. B: The number of times of lamination is one or more.

[0306] [Evaluation of optical properties] The laminated structure of the optical laminate from the light absorption anisotropic layer to the liquid crystal polarizer was attached to a 4 cm x 4 cm glass plate via the adhesive layer prepared above, and this was used as measurement sample (2). Measurement sample (2) was placed on the linear polarizer placed on the backlight and the liquid crystal polarizer in measurement sample (2) in a crossed Nicol configuration, and measurement sample (2) was observed so that the light absorption anisotropic layer in measurement sample (2) was located outside the crossed Nicol configuration. The observation results were evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Tables 2 to 4. (Evaluation criteria) A: It was black and there was no light leakage. B: Light leakage was felt partially or entirely.

[0307] [Evaluation of adhesion of optical laminates] (Evaluation of peelability of base layer) The optical laminates were cut into pieces measuring 160 mm x 80 mm. The cut optical laminates were fixed so that the third protective layer side of the optical laminates (1) to (5) and (c3) and the film substrate side of the optical laminates (c1) and (c2) were facing downward, and the base layer was quickly peeled off by hand to evaluate peelability. This peelability evaluation was performed on five optical laminates, and the appearance of the transferred laminated portion obtained by peeling the base layer from the optical laminate was observed. The observation results were evaluated based on the percentage of optical laminates for which the base layer could be peeled off and no lifting or tearing occurred in the transferred laminated portion out of the five optical laminates used for the peelability evaluation, according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Tables 2 to 4. (Evaluation criteria) A: The base layer could be peeled off, and 90% or more of the optical laminates had no lifting or breakage in the transferred laminated portion. B: The base layer could be peeled off, and the transferred laminated portion did not lift or break in 30% or more but less than 90% of the optical laminates. C: The base layer could be peeled off, and less than 30% of the optical laminates had no lifting or breakage in the transferred laminated portion.

[0308] (180° peel test) The peel strengths F0 to F5 described below were measured by performing a 180° peel test using a tensile tester in an atmosphere of 23°C and 60% relative humidity. The 180° peel test was performed by attaching Nichiban Cellotape (registered trademark) as a peeling lead tape to the back surface of the optical laminate or the laminated part to be transferred (both 25 mm wide x approximately 150 mm long) obtained by peeling the base layer from the optical laminate, gripping the peeling lead tape at one end of the optical laminate or the laminated part in the longitudinal direction with a jig of the tensile tester, and setting only the crosshead speed (gripping speed) to 300 mm / min, according to the procedure of JIS K 6854-2:1999 "Adhesives - Test method for peel adhesion strength - Part 2: 180° peel."

[0309] (Measurement of peel force F0 (peel force between substrate layer and horizontal alignment layer or second protective layer)) The optical laminate was cut into a size of 25 mm wide x approximately 150 mm long. Glass sheets with a thickness of 0.7 mm were attached to the third protective layer side of the cut optical laminates (1) to (5) and (c3) and the film substrate side of the optical laminates (c1) and (c2) via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer prepared above, and these were used as measurement samples (3). The same peeling lead tape (Nichiban Cellotape) as above was attached to the back side of the substrate layer side of the optical laminate attached to the glass, and a 180° peel test was performed in which the peeling lead tape was pinched to peel off the substrate layer. The obtained peel force was designated as F0. Since a peeling force of 0.3 N / 25 mm or more is required to peel the peeling lead tape without causing interlayer delamination in the optical laminate, peeling of only the peeling lead tape was judged to be 0.6 N / 25 mm or more.

[0310] (Measurement of peeling force F1 to F5) Peel force F1 is the peel force between the horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer. Peel force F2 is the peel force between the liquid crystal polarizer and the first protective layer. Peel force F3 is the peel force between the first protective layer and the optically absorbing anisotropic layer. Peel force F4 is the peel force between the optically absorbing anisotropic layer and the third protective layer. Peel force F5 is the peel force between the second protective layer and the horizontal alignment layer.

[0311] Using the measurement sample (3) after measuring the peel force F0 to evaluate the peelability of the substrate layer, the substrate layer was peeled off and the remaining transferred laminate portion on the glass (the surface exposed after peeling the substrate layer from the optical laminate) was subjected to a single corona treatment using a corona treatment device (AGF-B10, manufactured by Kasuga Electric Co., Ltd.) at an output of 0.3 kW and a treatment speed of 3 m / min. The same peeling lead tape (Nichiban Cellotape) as above was attached to this corona-treated surface, and this was used as measurement sample (4). The peeling lead tape of measurement sample (4) was pinched and a 180° peel test was performed.

[0312] In the 180° peel test of measurement sample (4), if peeling occurred between any one of the layers of the transferred laminate in measurement sample (4), the measurement result value was taken as the peel force between the layers where peeling occurred.If peeling occurred between two or more layers, the peel force between the layers where peeling occurred was determined to be equal to or less than the measurement result value.If peeling of the peeling lead tape occurred in the 180° peel test of measurement sample (4), for the same reasons as explained in the measurement of peel force F0, all of the peel forces F1 to F5 were determined to be 0.6 N / 25 mm or more.The results are shown in Tables 2 to 4.

[0313] [Table 2]

[0314] [Table 3]

[0315] [Table 4] [Explanation of symbols]

[0316] 1 to 4 optical laminate, 10 transferred laminate portion, 11 base layer, 12 second protective layer, 13 horizontal alignment layer, 14 liquid crystal polarizer, 15 first protective layer, 16 vertical alignment layer, 17 light absorption anisotropic layer, 18 third protective layer, 21 first adhesive layer, 22 first liquid crystal retardation layer, 23 second adhesive layer, 24 second liquid crystal retardation layer.

Claims

1. An optical laminate in which a horizontal alignment layer, a liquid crystal polarizer, a first protective layer, and a light absorption anisotropic layer are laminated in this order, the liquid crystal polarizer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and has an absorption axis in a direction parallel to the plane of the liquid crystal polarizer; The light absorption anisotropic layer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and satisfies the relationships of the following formulas (1) to (3): the horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer are in direct contact with each other, the liquid crystal polarizer and the first protective layer are in direct contact with each other, An optical laminate, wherein the first protective layer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer are in direct contact with each other, or wherein only a vertical alignment layer is provided between the first protective layer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer. Az>(Ax+Ay) / 2 (1) 0.001≦Ax≦0.1 (2) Ax (z=60°) / Ax≧5 (3) [In formulas (1) to (3), Ax, Ay, and Az are the absorbances of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, and represent the absorbances of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction, respectively. Ax (z=60°) is the absorbance at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is rotated 60° around the y axis as the rotation axis, and represents the absorbance of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction. wherein the x-axis is any one direction within the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, the y-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, The z-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis.

2. Further, a substrate layer is provided on the opposite side of the horizontal alignment layer from the liquid crystal polarizer side, The optical laminate according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer are in direct contact with each other, or the optical laminate has only a second protective layer between the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer.

3. When the peel force between the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer in a case where the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer are in direct contact with each other, or when only the second protective layer is provided, is F0, The optical laminate according to claim 2, wherein the peel force F0 is 0.20 N / 25 mm or less.

4. The peel force between the horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer is F1, The peel force between the liquid crystal polarizer and the first protective layer is F2, When the peel force between the first protective layer and the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is F3, The optical laminate according to claim 3, wherein the peel forces F1 to F3 are all greater than the peel force F0 and each independently exceeds 0.3 N / 25 mm.

5. a third protective layer on the side of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer opposite to the first protective layer, The optical laminate according to claim 4 , wherein the optically absorptive anisotropic layer and the third protective layer are in direct contact with each other.

6. 6. The optical laminate according to claim 5, wherein the peel force F4 between the optically absorbing anisotropic layer and the third protective layer is greater than the peel force F0 and greater than 0.3 N / 25 mm.

7. having only the second protective layer between the substrate layer and the horizontal alignment layer, 4. The optical laminate according to claim 3, wherein the peel force F5 between the second protective layer and the horizontal alignment layer is greater than the peel force F0 and is greater than 0.3 N / 25 mm.

8. Further, a first liquid crystal retardation layer is laminated on the horizontal alignment layer on the side opposite to the liquid crystal polarizer side via a first adhesive layer, The optical laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first liquid crystal retardation layer comprises a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound aligned in a horizontal direction relative to a plane of the first liquid crystal retardation layer.

9. Further, a second liquid crystal retardation layer is laminated on the horizontal alignment layer on the side opposite to the liquid crystal polarizer side via a second adhesive layer, The optical laminate according to claim 8 , wherein the second liquid crystal retardation layer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound aligned in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the second liquid crystal retardation layer.

10. the dichroic dye contained in the liquid crystal polarizer is an azo dye, 8. The optical laminate according to claim 1, wherein the dichroic dye contained in the light absorption anisotropic layer is an azo dye.

11. A method for producing an optical laminate in which a horizontal alignment layer, a liquid crystal polarizer, a first protective layer, and a light absorption anisotropic layer are laminated in this order, comprising: the liquid crystal polarizer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and has an absorption axis in a direction parallel to the plane of the liquid crystal polarizer; The light absorption anisotropic layer contains a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, and satisfies the relationships of the following formulas (1) to (3): preparing a liquid crystal polarizer with a base layer, in which a base layer, the horizontal alignment layer, and the liquid crystal polarizer are laminated in this order, and the horizontal alignment layer and the liquid crystal polarizer are in direct contact with each other; a step of directly applying a composition for forming the first protective layer onto the liquid crystal polarizer of the base material layer-attached liquid crystal polarizer to form the first protective layer; forming the optically absorbing anisotropic layer directly or via a vertical alignment layer on the first protective layer formed in the step of forming the first protective layer, The step of forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer comprises the following step [a1] or [a2]: [a1] a step of directly applying a composition for forming the optically absorbing anisotropic layer, the composition containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, onto the first protective layer; [a2] a step of directly applying a composition for forming a vertical alignment layer onto the first protective layer to form the vertical alignment layer, and a step of directly applying the composition for forming an optically absorbing anisotropic layer onto the vertical alignment layer; A method for producing an optical laminate, comprising: Az>(Ax+Ay) / 2 (1) 0.001≦Ax≦0.1 (2) Ax (z=60°) / Ax≧5 (3) [In formulas (1) to (3), Ax, Ay, and Az are the absorbances of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less, and represent the absorbances of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction, respectively. Ax (z=60°) is the absorbance at the maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and 780 nm or less when the optically absorptive anisotropic layer is rotated 60° around the y axis as the rotation axis, and represents the absorbance of linearly polarized light vibrating in the x-axis direction. wherein the x-axis is any one direction within the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, the y-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis in the plane of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer, The z-axis is a direction perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis.

12. The step of preparing a liquid crystal polarizer with a base layer includes the following step [b1] or [b2]: [b1] a step of directly applying a composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer onto the base layer to form the horizontal alignment layer, and a step of directly applying a composition for forming a liquid crystal polarizer onto the horizontal alignment layer, the composition including a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye to form the liquid crystal polarizer; [b2] a step of directly applying the composition for forming a horizontal alignment layer onto a second protective layer formed so as to be in direct contact with the base layer, and a step of directly applying the composition for forming a liquid crystal polarizer onto the horizontal alignment layer; The method for producing the optical laminate according to claim 11, comprising:

13. the optical laminate further includes a third protective layer on the side of the light absorption anisotropic layer opposite to the first protective layer side, The method for producing an optical laminate according to claim 11, further comprising a step of directly applying a composition for forming a third protective layer to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic layer opposite to the first protective layer side, to form the third protective layer.

14. The method for producing an optical laminate according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising the step of peeling off the base layer after the step of forming the optically absorptive anisotropic layer.

Images