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

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing: a liquid crystal composition capable of forming a light-absorbing anisotropic film in which the occurrence of planar unevenness is suppressed and which has an excellent degree of orientation; a light-absorbing anisotropic film; a laminate; and an image display device. A liquid crystal composition according to the present invention comprises: a liquid crystal compound; a dichroic substance; a polymer 1 having a repeating unit A including a structure represented by formula (A); and a polymer 2 that has a repeating unit A including a structure represented by formula (A) and is different from the polymer 1. When the content of silicon atoms contained in the polymer 1 is X1 parts by mass and the content of silicon atoms contained in the polymer 2 is X2 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total solid content mass of the liquid crystal composition, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1 or more. In formula (A), X represents a substituent containing at least one structure represented by formula (a).

Description

Liquid crystal composition, optically absorbing anisotropic film, laminate and image display device

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition, an optically absorptive anisotropic film, a laminate, and an image display device.

[0002] Optical films such as optical compensation sheets and retardation films are used in various display devices from the viewpoints of eliminating image coloration, controlling viewing angles, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optically anisotropic layer obtained using a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound, a dichroic substance, and an interfacial modifier having a repeating unit containing a fluorine atom, and discloses that by using the interfacial modifier having a repeating unit containing a fluorine atom, an optically anisotropic layer in which alignment defects, etc. are suppressed can be obtained.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 014342

[0004] Recently, due to its indegradability and toxicity, etc., the regulation of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl compounds and polyfluoroalkyl compounds) has been promoted, and as an interface modifier, the use of substitutes that do not use fluorine atoms, typically containing silicon atoms, has been studied.Therefore, the present inventors have formed an optical absorption anisotropy film using a polymer (interface modifier) ​​that has a repeating unit containing silicon atoms, instead of the interface modifier that contains fluorine atoms, in a liquid crystal composition that contains a liquid crystal compound, a dichroic substance, and a fluorine atom, as described in Patent Document 1, and have found that surface irregularities may occur or the degree of orientation may be insufficient.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition, an optically absorptive anisotropic film, a laminate, and an image display device that can form an optically absorptive anisotropic film that is suppressed from generating surface unevenness and has an excellent degree of alignment.

[0006] As a result of extensive investigations, the present inventors have found that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by the following configuration: [1] A liquid crystal composition comprising: a liquid crystal compound; a dichroic substance; a polymer 1 having a repeating unit A including a structure represented by formula (A) described below; and a polymer 2 having a repeating unit A including a structure represented by formula (A) described below and different from polymer 1, wherein, when the content of silicon atoms contained in polymer 1 is X1 parts by mass and the content of silicon atoms contained in polymer 2 is X2 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition, a ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1 or more. In formula (A), R Ａ１ and R Ａ２ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Ａ３ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituent. X represents a substituent containing one or more structures represented by the formula (a) described below. In formula (a), * represents a bonding position. R ａ１ , R ａ２ and R ａ３each independently represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or an alkylenearyl group, each of which may have a substituent. [2] The liquid crystal composition according to [1], wherein, when A1 is the content of the repeating unit A contained in polymer 1 relative to all repeating units contained in polymer 1, and A2 is the content of the repeating unit A contained in polymer 2 relative to all repeating units contained in polymer 2, the ratio represented by A1 / A2 is greater than 1. [3] The liquid crystal composition according to [2], wherein the ratio represented by A1 / A2 is 1.2 to 7.50. [4] The liquid crystal composition according to [2] or [3], wherein A1 is 30.0 to 75.0 mass%, and A2 is 10.0 to 50.0 mass%. [5] The liquid crystal composition according to [2] or [3], wherein A1 is 30.0 to 90.0 mass%, and A2 is 5.0 to 65.0 mass%. [6] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1.10 to 41.32. [7] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1.10 to 79.34. [8] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein X1 is 0.0016 to 0.057 parts by mass, and X2 is 0.0013 to 0.0500 parts by mass. [9] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein X1 is 0.0027 to 0.0546 parts by mass, and X2 is 0.0006 to 0.0437 parts by mass.

[10] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein at least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 has a repeating unit B represented by formula (B) described below. In formula (B), R Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ is a substituent, R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５

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

[10] , wherein at least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 has a repeating unit D represented by formula (D) described below. Ｄ１ , R Ｄ２ and R Ｄ３ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. Ｄ１ represents a single bond, —COO— or —CO—. Ｄ１ represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. However, -CH ２ -, one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ２ Each - may independently be substituted with -O-, -S-, -NH- or -N(Q)-, and Q represents a substituent. Ｄ２ and L Ｄ３ each independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Ｄ represents a divalent linking group containing a mesogen group. D represents a hydrogen-bonding group composed of a hydrogen atom and a nonmetallic atom of Groups 14 to 16. However, the nonmetallic atom may have a substituent. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, multiple L Ｄ２ may be the same or different, and a plurality of Cy Ｄ

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

[11] , wherein at least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 has both a repeating unit B represented by the formula (B) described below and a repeating unit D represented by the formula (D) described below. Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ is a substituent, R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５may be linked to form a ring. Ｄ１ , R Ｄ２ and R Ｄ３ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. Ｄ１ represents a single bond, —COO— or —CO—. Ｄ１ represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. However, -CH ２ -, one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ２ Each - may independently be substituted with -O-, -S-, -NH- or -N(Q)-, and Q represents a substituent. Ｄ２ and L Ｄ３ each independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Ｄ represents a divalent linking group containing a mesogen group. D represents a hydrogen-bonding group composed of a hydrogen atom and a nonmetallic atom of Groups 14 to 16. However, the nonmetallic atom may have a substituent. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, multiple L Ｄ２ may be the same or different, and a plurality of Cy Ｄ may be the same or different.

[13] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein at least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 has a repeating unit E that does not contain a fluorine atom and a polymerizable group, and the repeating unit E satisfies the following condition 1 or the following condition 2. Condition 1: The repeating unit E has a polar group at the end of a side chain. Condition 2: The repeating unit E is represented by the formula (E1) or (E2) described below. In formula (E-1), R Ｅ２ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｅ１ represents a single bond, or —O—, —S—, —COO—, —OCO—, or —CONR Ｌ１ -, -NR Ｌ１ COO-, -CR Ｌ１ represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of N-, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group, and a combination thereof; R Ｌ１represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Ring E represents a ring structure having a cationized nitrogen atom. X represents an anion. L ２ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｅ３ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｅ３ represents a single bond, or —O—, —S—, —COO—, —OCO—, or —CONR Ｌ１ -, -NR Ｌ１ COO-, -CR Ｌ１ represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of N-, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group, and a combination thereof; R Ｌ１ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group; R Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５ may be linked to each other via an alkylene linking group, an arylene linking group, or a linking group consisting of a combination thereof.

[14] An optically absorptive anisotropic film obtained using the liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to

[13] .

[15] The optically absorptive anisotropic film according to

[14] , in which the alignment states of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance contained in the optically absorptive anisotropic film are fixed, and the angle θ between the central axis of transmittance of the optically absorptive anisotropic film and the normal direction to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is more than 45° and not more than 90°.

[16] The optically absorptive anisotropic film according to

[14] , in which the alignment states of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance contained in the optically absorptive anisotropic film are fixed, and the angle θ between the central axis of transmittance of the optically absorptive anisotropic film and the normal direction to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is 0° or more and 45° or less.

[17] A laminate comprising the optically absorptive anisotropic film according to any one of

[14] to

[16] and a λ / 4 plate.

[18] An image display device comprising the optically absorptive anisotropic film according to any one of

[14] to

[16] and a display element.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal composition capable of forming an optically absorptive anisotropic film in which the occurrence of surface unevenness is suppressed and which has an excellent degree of alignment, an optically absorptive anisotropic film, a laminate, and an image display device.

[0008] 1 is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of a virtual reality display device that is an example of an image display device of the present invention.

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below. The following description of the constituent elements may be based on a representative embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In this specification, a numerical range expressed using "to" means a range that includes the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the upper and lower limits. In the numerical ranges described in stages in this specification, the upper or lower limit described in a certain numerical range may be replaced with the upper or lower limit of another numerical range described in stages. In addition, in the numerical ranges described in this specification, the upper or lower limit described in a certain numerical range may be replaced with a value shown in the Examples. Furthermore, in this specification, each component may be a single substance corresponding to the component, or two or more substances may be used in combination. Here, when two or more substances are used in combination for each component, the content of that component refers to the total content of the substances used in combination, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, in this specification, "(meth)acrylate" is a notation representing "acrylate" or "methacrylate", "(meth)acrylic" is a notation representing "acrylic" or "methacrylic", "(meth)acryloyl" is a notation representing "acryloyl" or "methacryloyl", and "(meth)acrylic acid" is a notation representing "acrylic acid" or "methacrylic acid". Furthermore, the bonding direction of the divalent group represented in this specification is not limited unless otherwise specified. For example, when Y in a compound represented by the formula "X-Y-Z" is -C(O)-O-, Y may be -C(O)-O- or may be -O-C(O)-. Furthermore, the above compound may be "X-C(O)-O-Z" or "X-O-C(O)-Z".

[0010] In this specification, "perpendicular" and "parallel" with respect to angles mean a range of ±10° of the exact angle, and "same" and "different" with respect to angles can be determined based on whether the difference is less than 5°. In this specification, "visible light" refers to 380 to 780 nm. In this specification, the measurement wavelength is 550 nm unless otherwise specified.

[0011] In this specification, the term "slow axis" refers to the direction in which the refractive index is maximum in the plane. Note that the slow axis of an optically absorptive anisotropic film refers to the slow axis of the entire optically absorptive anisotropic film.

[0012] In this specification, "Re(λ)" and "Rth(λ)" represent the in-plane retardation and the thickness direction retardation at a wavelength λ, respectively. Here, the in-plane retardation and the thickness direction retardation values ​​are values ​​measured using an AxoScan OPMF-1 (manufactured by OptoScience Inc.) with light of the measurement wavelength. Specifically, by inputting the average refractive index ((nx+ny+nz) / 3) and the film thickness (d(μm)) into the AxoScan OPMF-1, the following slow axis direction (°) Re(λ)=R0(λ) Rth(λ)=((nx+ny) / 2-nz)×d is calculated. Note that R0(λ) is displayed as a numerical value calculated by the AxoScan OPMF-1, but it means Re(λ).

[0013] [Substituent W] The substituent W used in this specification represents the following group. Examples of the substituent W include a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkylcarbonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkyloxycarbonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylcarbonyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylaminocarbonyl group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a heterocyclic group (which may also be referred to as a heterocyclic group), a cyano group, a hydroxy group, a nitro group, a carboxy group, an aryloxy group, a silyloxy group, a heterocyclic oxy group, an acyloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, an aryl Oxycarbonyloxy group, amino group (including anilino group), ammonio group, acylamino group, aminocarbonylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group, aryloxycarbonylamino group, sulfamoylamino group, alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group, mercapto group, alkylthio group, arylthio group, heterocyclic thio group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, alkyl or arylsulfonyl group, acyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group, aryl or heterocyclic azo group, imido group, phosphino group, phosphinyl group, phosphinyloxy group, phosphinylamino group, phosphono group, silyl group, hydrazino group, ureido group, boronic acid group (-B(OH) ２ ), phosphato group (—OPO(OH) ２ ), sulfato group (—OSO ３ H), and other known substituents. Details of the substituents are described in paragraph

[0023] of JP-A-2007-234651. The substituent W may be a group represented by the following formula (W1):

[0014]

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

[0016] The divalent linking group represented by LW includes —O—, —Si(CH ３ ) ２ -, -(Si(CH ３ ) ２ O) ｇ -(g represents an integer of 1 to 10), -N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z １ )-, -C(Z)=N-, -C(O)-, -C(O)O-, -O-C(O)O-, -C(O)N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z １ )-C(O)O-, -C(Z)=N-, -C(Z)=C(Z １ )-C(O)N(Z ２ )-,-C(Z)=C(Z １ )-C(O)-S-, -C(Z)=N-N=C(Z １ )-(Z, Z １ and Z ２ each independently represents hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom. ), -C≡C-, -N=N-, -S-, -S(O)-, -S(O)(O)-, -(O)S(O)O-, -O(O)S(O)O-, and -SC(O)-. LW may be a group combining two or more of these groups (hereinafter also abbreviated as "L-C").

[0017] The divalent spacer group represented by SPW includes a linear, branched, or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The carbon atoms of the alkylene group and heterocyclic group may be —O—, —Si(CH ３ ) ２ -, -(Si(CH ３ ) ２ O) ｇ -(g represents an integer of 1 to 10), -N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z １ )-, -C(Z)=N-, -C(Z) ２ -C(Z １ ) ２ -, -C(O)-, -C(O)O-, -O-C(O)O-, -C(O)N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z １ )-C(O)O-, -C(Z)=N-, -C(Z)=C(Z １)-C(O)N(Z ２ )-,-C(Z)=C(Z １ )-C(O)-S-, -C(Z)=N-N=C(Z １ )-(Z, Z １ , Z ２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom), —C≡C—, —N═N—, —S—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, —SO ２ The hydrogen atoms of the alkylene groups and the heterocyclic groups may be substituted with -, -(O)S(O)O-, -O(O)S(O)O-, -SC(O)-, or a group formed by combining two or more of these groups. Ｈ１ , —OH, —OZ Ｈ１ , -COOH, -C(O)Z Ｈ１ , -C(O)OZ Ｈ１ , -OC(O)Z Ｈ１ , -OC(O)OZ Ｈ１ , -NZ Ｈ１ Z Ｈ２ , -NZ Ｈ１ C(O)Z Ｈ２ , -NZ Ｈ１ C(O)OZ Ｈ２ , -C(O)NZ Ｈ１ Z Ｈ２ , -OC(O)NZ Ｈ１ Z Ｈ２ , -NZ Ｈ１ C(O)NZ Ｈ２ OZ Ｈ３ , -SH, -SZ Ｈ１ , -C(S)Z Ｈ１ , -C(O)SZ Ｈ１ , -SC(O)Z Ｈ１ , wherein Z Ｈ１ , Z Ｈ２ , Z Ｈ３ represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group, or -L-CL. In -L-CL, L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Specific examples of the divalent linking group are the same as those of LW and SPW described above. In -L-CL, CL represents a crosslinkable group. Specific examples of the crosslinkable group include crosslinkable groups represented by the following formulas (P-1) to (P-30).

[0018]

[0019] In formulas (P-1) to (P-30), R Ｐ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear, branched or cyclic alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a halogenated alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a heterocyclic group (which may also be called a heterocyclic group), a cyano group, a hydroxy group, a nitro group, a carboxy group, an aryloxy group, a silyloxy group, a heterocyclic oxy group, an acyloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, an aryloxycarbonyloxy group, an amino group (including an anilino group), an ammonio group, an acylamino group, an aminocarbonylamino group, an alkoxycarbonylamino group, an aryloxycarbonyloxy ... a methylamino group, a sulfamoylamino group, an alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group, a mercapto group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclic thio group, a sulfamoyl group, a sulfo group, an alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, an alkyl or arylsulfonyl group, an acyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an aryl or heterocyclic azo group, an imido group, a phosphino group, a phosphinyl group, a phosphinyloxy group, a phosphinylamino group, a phosphono group, a silyl group, a hydrazino group, a ureido group, a boronic acid group (-B(OH)), a phosphato group (-OPO(OH)), or a sulfato group (-OSOH); Ｐmay be the same or different. Preferred embodiments of the crosslinkable group include a radically polymerizable group or a cationically polymerizable group. Examples of the radically polymerizable group include a vinyl group represented by the above formula (P-1), a butadiene group represented by the above formula (P-2), a (meth)acrylic group represented by the above formula (P-4), a (meth)acrylamide group represented by the above formula (P-5), a vinyl acetate group represented by the above formula (P-6), a fumaric acid ester group represented by the above formula (P-7), a styryl group represented by the above formula (P-8), a vinylpyrrolidone group represented by the above formula (P-9), a maleic anhydride represented by the above formula (P-11), or a maleimide group represented by the above formula (P-12). Examples of the cationically polymerizable group include a vinyl ether group represented by the above formula (P-18), an epoxy group represented by the above formula (P-19), or an oxetanyl group represented by the above formula (P-20).

[0020] Examples of the terminal group represented by Q include a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a heterocyclic group (which may also be called a heterocyclic group), a cyano group, a hydroxy group, a nitro group, a carboxy group, an aryloxy group, a silyloxy group, a heterocyclic oxy group, an acyloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group, an aryloxycarbonyloxy group, an amino group (including an anilino group), an ammonio group, an acylamino group, an aminocarbonylamino group, an alkoxy ... an alkoxycarbonylamino group, an aryloxycarbonylamino group, a sulfamoylamino group, an alkyl or arylsulfonylamino group, a mercapto group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclic thio group, a sulfamoyl group, a sulfo group, an alkyl or arylsulfinyl group, an alkyl or arylsulfonyl group, an acyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an aryl or heterocyclic azo group, an imido group, a phosphino group, a phosphinyl group, a phosphinyloxy group, a phosphinylamino group, a phosphono group, a silyl group, a hydrazino group, a ureido group, a boronic acid group (-B(OH) ２ ), phosphato group (—OPO(OH)２ ), sulfato group (—OSO ３ H), or a crosslinkable group represented by any of the above formulae (P1) to (P-30).

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

[0022] The use of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention allows the formation of an optically absorptive anisotropic film with a high degree of alignment, while suppressing the occurrence of surface unevenness. While the details of this are not yet clear, it is presumed to be due to the following reasons. By including polymer 1 and polymer 2 in the liquid crystal composition, these polymers complement each other, improving the ability to reduce the surface tension of the liquid crystal composition. As a result, it is presumed that the occurrence of surface unevenness is suppressed compared to when a liquid crystal composition containing only one type of polymer having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by formula (A) is used. Furthermore, by including polymer 1 and polymer 2 in the liquid crystal composition, it is presumed that the aggregation of the polymers is suppressed compared to when a liquid crystal composition containing only one type of polymer having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by formula (A) is used. As a result, the aggregation of liquid crystal compounds and dichroic substances, which may cause alignment defects, is also suppressed, thereby improving the degree of alignment of the resulting optically absorptive anisotropic film.

[0023] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain two or more polymers having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by the following formula (A), and may contain three or more polymers having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by the following formula (A). When three or more polymers having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by the following formula (A) are contained, it is sufficient that at least two of the three or more polymers satisfy the relationship between polymer 1 and polymer 2 described below (specifically, the value of X1 / X2, etc.). The polymer having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by the following formula (A), which is contained in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, preferably does not contain a fluorine atom.

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

[0025] [Liquid Crystal Compound] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains a liquid crystal compound. As the liquid crystal compound, either a polymer liquid crystal compound or a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound can be used, with the polymer liquid crystal compound being preferred due to its ability to increase the degree of alignment. Furthermore, as the liquid crystal compound, a polymer liquid crystal compound and a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound may be used in combination. Here, the term "polymer liquid crystal compound" refers to a liquid crystal compound having a repeating unit in its chemical structure. The term "low molecular weight liquid crystal compound" refers to a liquid crystal compound having no repeating unit in its chemical structure. Examples of polymer liquid crystal compounds include the thermotropic liquid crystal polymers described in JP 2011-237513 A and the polymer liquid crystal compounds described in paragraphs

[0012] to

[0042] of WO 2018 / 199096 A. Examples of low molecular weight liquid crystal compounds include the liquid crystal compounds described in paragraphs

[0072] to

[0088] of JP 2013-228706 A, with liquid crystal compounds exhibiting smectic properties being preferred. Examples of such liquid crystal compounds include those described in paragraphs

[0019] to

[0140] of WO 2022 / 014340, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] The polymer liquid crystal compound is preferably a side-chain polymer liquid crystal compound, since it can achieve a higher degree of orientation. A side-chain polymer liquid crystal compound is a liquid crystal compound having a repeating unit. Suitable examples of the side-chain polymer liquid crystal compound include liquid crystal compounds having a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1), which is described in paragraph

[0014] of WO 2018 / 199096:

[0027] In the above formula (1), R １ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, L １ and L ２ each independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; M １ represents a mesogenic group, T １ represents a terminal group.

[0028] Furthermore, suitable examples of the low molecular weight liquid crystal compound include the compound represented by the following formula (2) described in paragraph

[0074] of JP-A No. 2013-228706: １ -V １ -W １ -X １ -Y １ -X ２ -Y ２ -X ３ -W ２ -V ２ -U ２ (2) In formula (2), X １ , X ２ and X ３ each independently represents an optionally substituted 1,4-phenylene group or an optionally substituted cyclohexane-1,4-diyl group, provided that X １ , X ２ and X ３ At least one of the groups is a 1,4-phenylene group which may have a substituent. The -CH2- constituting the cyclohexane-1,4-diyl group which may have a substituent may be replaced by -O-, -S- or NR-. R is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl group. Y １ and Y ２ are each independently —CH ２ CH ２ -, -CH２ O-, -COO-, -OCOO-, single bond, -N=N-, -CR ａ =CR ｂ -, -C≡C- or CR ａ =N-. ａ and R ｂ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. １ represents a hydrogen atom or a polymerizable group. ２ represents a polymerizable group. １ and W ２ each independently represents a single bond, —O—, —S—, —COO— or OCOO—. １ and V ２ each independently represents an alkanediyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, and —CH ２ - may be replaced by -O-, -S- or -NH-.

[0029] From the viewpoint of increasing the degree of alignment, the liquid crystal compound preferably has at least one group selected from the group consisting of a fluorine atom, a cyano group, a trifluoromethyl group, and a nitro group.

[0030] The weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymer liquid crystal compound is preferably 1,000 to 500,000, more preferably 2,000 to 300,000, from the viewpoint of achieving superior effects of the present invention. When the Mw of the polymer liquid crystal compound is within the above range, the polymer liquid crystal compound is easy to handle. In particular, from the viewpoint of suppressing cracking during application, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymer liquid crystal compound is preferably 10,000 or more, more preferably 10,000 to 300,000. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of the temperature latitude of the degree of orientation, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymer liquid crystal compound is preferably less than 100,000, more preferably 2,000 or more but less than 100,000. Here, the weight-average molecular weight of the polymer liquid crystal compound is a value measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Solvent (eluent): N-methylpyrrolidone Apparatus name: TOSOH HLC-8220GPC Column: Three TOSOH TSKgel Super AWM-H (6 mm x 15 cm) connected together Column temperature: 25°C Sample concentration: 0.1% by mass Flow rate: 0.35 mL / min Calibration curve: A calibration curve using seven samples of TSK standard polystyrene manufactured by TOSOH with Mw = 2,800,000 to 1,050 (Mw / Mn = 1.03 to 1.06) was used.

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

[0032] [Dichroic Substance] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains a dichroic substance. Here, the dichroic substance means a dye whose absorbance varies depending on the direction. The dichroic substance may or may not exhibit liquid crystallinity.

[0033] The dichroic substance is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include visible light absorbing substances (dichroic dyes), luminescent substances (fluorescent substances, phosphorescent substances), ultraviolet absorbing substances, infrared absorbing substances, nonlinear optical substances, carbon nanotubes, and inorganic substances (e.g., quantum rods), and any conventionally known dichroic substance (dichroic dye) can be used. Specifically, for example, paragraphs

[0067] to

[0071] of JP 2013-228706 A, paragraphs

[0008] to

[0026] of JP 2013-227532 A, paragraphs

[0008] to

[0015] of JP 2013-209367 A, paragraphs

[0045] to

[0058] of JP 2013-14883 A, paragraphs

[0012] to

[0029] of JP 2013-109090 A, paragraphs

[0009] to

[0017] of JP 2013-101328 A, Paragraphs

[0051] to

[0065] of JP 2013-37353 A, paragraphs

[0049] to

[0073] of JP 2012-63387 A, paragraphs

[0016] to

[0018] of JP 11-305036 A, paragraphs

[0009] to

[0011] of JP 2001-133630 A, paragraphs

[0030] to

[0169] of JP 2011-215337 A, paragraphs

[0021] to

[0075] of JP 2010-106242 A, paragraphs

[0016] to

[0018] of JP 2010-215846 A

[0011] to

[0025] paragraphs,

[0017] to

[0069] paragraphs of JP 2011-048311 A,

[0013] to

[0133] paragraphs of JP 2011-213610 A,

[0074] to

[0246] paragraphs of JP 2011-237513 A,

[0005] to

[0051] paragraphs of JP 2016-006502 A,

[0014] to

[0032] paragraphs of JP 2018-053167 A, and

[0014] to

[0033] paragraphs of JP 2020-11716 A paragraphs

[0005] to

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

[0008] to

[0062] of International Publication No. 2016 / 136561, paragraphs

[0014] to

[0033] of International Publication No. 2017 / 154835, paragraphs

[0014] to

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

[0013] to

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

[0014] to

[0034] of International Publication No. 2018 / 164252,Examples include those described in paragraphs

[0021] to

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

[0043] to

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

[0043] to

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

[0050] to

[0074] of International Publication No. 2020 / 004106, and paragraphs

[0015] to

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

[0034] The dichroic substance is preferably a dichroic azo dye compound. A dichroic azo dye compound refers to an azo dye compound whose absorbance varies depending on the direction. A dichroic azo dye compound may or may not exhibit liquid crystallinity. When a dichroic azo dye compound exhibits liquid crystallinity, it may exhibit either nematic or smectic properties. The temperature range in which the liquid crystal phase is exhibited is preferably room temperature (approximately 20 to 28°C) to 300°C, and more preferably 50 to 200°C from the viewpoints of handleability and manufacturing suitability.

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

[0036] In the present invention, three or more kinds of dichroic azo dye compounds may be used in combination, and for example, from the viewpoint of making the optically absorptive anisotropic film closer to black, it is preferable to use a first dichroic azo dye compound, a second dichroic azo dye compound, and at least one dye compound (third dichroic azo dye compound) having a maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 380 nm or more and less than 455 nm in combination. In the present invention, from the viewpoint of excellent light fastness of the optically absorptive anisotropic film, it is preferable to contain two or more kinds of first dichroic azo dye compounds.

[0037] In the present invention, the dichroic azo dye compound preferably has a crosslinkable group, such as a (meth)acryloyl group, an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, or a styryl group, and among these, a (meth)acryloyl group is preferred.

[0038] The content of the dichroic substance is preferably 3 to 90 parts by mass, more preferably 5 to 70 parts by mass, and even more preferably 10 to 60 parts by mass, relative to the total solid mass (100 parts by mass) of the liquid crystal composition, in order to further increase the degree of alignment of the optically absorptive anisotropic film that is formed. When multiple dichroic substances are used in combination, the total amount of the multiple dichroic substances is preferably within the above-mentioned range. Here, in this specification, "the total solid mass in the liquid crystal composition" refers to components excluding the solvent, and specific examples of the solid mass include the liquid crystal compound, the dichroic substance, the polymer 1, the polymer 2, the polymerization initiator, and the vertical alignment agent.

[0039] [Polymer 1] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains polymer 1. Polymer 1 is a polymer having a repeating unit A including a structure represented by formula (A) below. Polymer 1 preferably contains substantially no fluorine atoms. "Substantially no fluorine atoms" means that the total content of fluorine atoms contained in polymer 1 is 5 parts by mass or less, per 100 parts by mass of polymer 1. The total content of fluorine atoms contained in polymer 1 is more preferably 3 parts by mass or less, and even more preferably 0 part by mass. Polymer 1 is preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1) and at least one of repeating unit B and repeating unit D, from the viewpoint of facilitating the production of an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting horizontal alignment (the angle θ between the central axis of transmittance of the optically absorptive anisotropic film and the normal direction to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is more than 45° and 90° or less), and from the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present invention. On the other hand, polymer 1 is also preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1) and repeating unit E satisfying condition 1 or 2 described below, and may further contain repeating unit F, in order to facilitate obtaining an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting vertical alignment (the angle θ between the central axis of transmittance of the optically absorptive anisotropic film and the normal direction to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is 0° or more and 45° or less) and to provide better effects of the present invention.

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

[0041]

[0042] In formula (A), R Ａ１ and R Ａ２ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Ａ１ and R Ａ２ Examples of the alkyl group in R include linear alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms) and branched or cyclic alkyl groups having 3 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 3 to 9 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms). Specific examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, and cyclohexyl groups. Ａ１ and R Ａ２ are preferably all hydrogen atoms.

[0043] In formula (A), R Ａ３ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a substituent. Ａ３ Examples of the substituent in the formula (a) include an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a substituent having a linking group and a structure of formula (a) at the end, which will be described later. Specific examples of the substituent having a linking group and a structure of formula (a) at the end include -CH ２ -CO-L Ａ１ -L Ａ２ -(Si(R ａ１ ) (R ａ２ ) (R ａ３ )) ｍ In addition, -L Ａ１ -L Ａ２ -(Si(R ａ１ ) (R ａ２ ) (R ａ３ )) ｍ The definition of -L in formula (A-1) described later is Ａ１ -L Ａ２ -(Si(R ａ１ ) (R ａ２ ) (R ａ３ )) ｍThe definition and preferred embodiments are the same as those of R. Ａ３ The substituent in R is preferably an alkyl group, more preferably a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and further preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group. Ａ３ is preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

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

[0045] The substituent X is preferably a monovalent hydrocarbon group having one or more groups a. The monovalent hydrocarbon group in the substituent X may be linear, branched, or cyclic, and is preferably linear or branched. Examples of the monovalent hydrocarbon group in the substituent X include monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups. The monovalent hydrocarbon group is preferably a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and more preferably an alkyl group. The alkyl group may be linear, branched, or cyclic, and is preferably linear or branched. The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is preferably 1 to 30, more preferably 2 to 25, and even more preferably 2 to 20. Here, -CH constituting a part of the monovalent hydrocarbon group in the substituent X ２ -, one or more -CH ２ - each independently represents -O-, -CO-, -C(O)-O-, or -C(O)-N(R Ｘ１０ )-,-[O-Si(R Ｘ１１ ) ２ ] ｎｘ -, -Si(R Ｘ１２ ) ２ -, and is preferably substituted with such a divalent group. Ｘ１０ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably a hydrogen atom. The alkyl group may be linear, branched, or cyclic, but is preferably linear or branched. R Ｘ１１ and R Ｘ１２each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, group a (i.e., a group represented by the following formula (a)), or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, with an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or the above group a being preferred. The alkyl group may be linear, branched, or cyclic, but is preferably linear or branched. Ｘ１１ may be the same or different. Ｘ１２ may be the same or different. nx is a number of 1 or more, preferably a number from 1 to 100, and more preferably a number from 1 to 11. When nx is a number of 2 or more, a plurality of [O—Si(R Ｘ１１ ) ２ ] may be the same or different.

[0046] One preferred embodiment of the substituent X is a group represented by the following formula (X1): Ｘ１０ -C(R Ｘ２０ ) ｍｘ (L Ｘ１１ -a) ３－ｍｘ Formula (X1)

[0047] In formula (X1), * represents a bonding position.

[0048] In formula (X1), L Ｘ１０ and L Ｘ１１ each independently represents a divalent hydrocarbon group, provided that —CH ２ -, one or more -CH ２ - each independently represents -O-, -CO-, -C(O)-O-, or -C(O)-N(R Ｘ１０ )-,-[O-Si(R Ｘ１１ ) ２ ] ｎｘ -, -Si(R Ｘ１２ ) ２ - or other divalent groups. Ｘ１０ , R Ｘ１１ , R Ｘ１２ The definitions of n and nx are as described above. Ｘ１１ may be the same or different. Ｘ１２ may be the same or different. When nx is a number of 2 or more, a plurality of [O—Si(RＸ１１ ) ２ ] may be the same or different. Ｘ１０ and L Ｘ１１ Examples of the divalent hydrocarbon group in include a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group and a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group. The divalent hydrocarbon group is preferably a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and more preferably an alkylene group. The alkylene group may be linear, branched, or cyclic, but is preferably linear or branched, and more preferably linear. The alkylene group preferably has 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 25, and even more preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0049] In formula (X1), R Ｘ２０ represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group. Ｘ２０ The definition of the monovalent hydrocarbon group in is the same as that of the monovalent hydrocarbon group explained above for the substituent X.

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

[0051] In formula (X1), mx represents an integer of 0 to 2. When mx is an integer of 0 or 1, a plurality of (L Ｘ１１ -a) may be the same or different. When mx is 2, two R Ｘ２０ may be the same or different.

[0052]

[0053] In formula (a), * represents a bonding position. ａ１ , R ａ２ and R ａ３each independently represents an alkyl group, alkenyl group, aryl group, or alkylenearyl group, each of which may have a substituent. Specific examples of the substituent include the substituent W described above, with halogen atoms, alkyl groups, alkylcarbonyl groups, alkyloxycarbonyl groups, alkylcarbonyloxy groups, and alkoxy groups being preferred. Examples of the alkyl group include linear alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and branched or cyclic alkyl groups having 3 to 18 carbon atoms. Specific examples include methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups, butyl groups, isopropyl groups, tert-butyl groups, and cyclohexyl groups. Examples of the alkenyl group include alkenyl groups having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Specific examples include vinyl groups, 1-propenyl groups, 1-butenyl groups, 1-methyl-1-propenyl groups, 1-cyclopentenyl groups, and 1-cyclohexenyl groups. Examples of the aryl group include aryl groups having 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Specific examples include a phenyl group, an α-methylphenyl group, a naphthyl group, etc. Examples of the alkylenearyl group include alkylenearyl groups having 7 to 30 carbon atoms.

[0054] The number of groups a contained in the substituent X is 1 or more, preferably 2 or more, and more preferably 3 or more, from the viewpoint of obtaining a better degree of orientation of the optically absorbing anisotropic film, and is preferably 18 or less, more preferably 12 or less, even more preferably 9 or less, and particularly preferably 6 or less, from the viewpoint of further suppressing orientation defects.

[0055] The repeating unit A is preferably a repeating unit A-1 represented by the following formula (A-1), in that the effects of the present invention are more excellent and the degree of orientation of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is more excellent.

[0056] In formula (A-1), R Ａ１ , R Ａ２ and R Ａ３ is the same as that explained in the above formula (A), and R ａ１ , R ａ２ and R ａ３ is the same as that explained in (a) above. When m in formula (A-1) is an integer of 2 or more, a plurality of R ａ１may be the same or different, and multiple R ａ２ may be the same or different, and multiple R ａ３ may be the same or different.

[0057] In formula (A-1), L Ａ１ represents a single bond, —O—, or —NR Ｚ - where R Ｚ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ａ１ -NR in Ｚ -Regarding R Ｚ The substituent in L is preferably an alkyl group, more preferably a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group. Ａ１ is preferably —O— or NH—, more preferably —O—.

[0058] In formula (A-1), L Ａ２ represents a single bond or an (m+1)-valent linking group. Ａ２ Suitable examples of the (m+1)-valent linking group in the formula (I) include hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, in which some of the carbon atoms constituting the hydrocarbon group may be substituted with heteroatoms. Here, the substituent that the hydrocarbon group may have is preferably an alkyl group, more preferably a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably a methyl group or an ethyl group. Examples of heteroatoms include a silicon atom, an oxygen atom, and a nitrogen atom.

[0059] In formula (A-1), m represents an integer of 1 or greater. From the viewpoint of achieving a better degree of orientation of the optically absorptive anisotropic film, m is preferably an integer of 2 or greater, and more preferably an integer of 3 or greater. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of further suppressing orientation defects, m is preferably an integer of 18 or less, more preferably an integer of 12 or less, even more preferably an integer of 9 or less, and particularly preferably an integer of 6 or less.

[0060] Specific examples of the repeating unit A include repeating units corresponding to the monomers represented by the following formulae K-1 to K-38. In the examples described below, the monomer represented by the following formula K-1 will be referred to as "monomer K-1". The same applies to other monomers. The monomer represented by formula K-29 is -(O-Si(CH ３ ) ２ Since it is a mixture of monomers with different numbers of )-, it is expressed as an average value of n ≈ 11. Also, the same meaning applies to monomers with similar notations.

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting horizontal alignment, the content A1 of the repeating unit A relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) contained in polymer 1 is preferably 10.0 to 90.0% by mass, more preferably 10.0 to 80.0% by mass, and even more preferably 30.0 to 75.0% by mass. When the content of the repeating unit A is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent.

[0065] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting homeotropic alignment, the content A1 of the repeating unit A relative to the total repeating units (100% by mass) contained in polymer 1 is preferably 10.0 to 90.0% by mass, more preferably 20.0 to 90.0% by mass, and even more preferably 30.0 to 90.0% by mass. When the content of the repeating unit A is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent.

[0066] The repeating unit A may be contained in one type alone or in two or more types in the polymer 1. When two or more types of the repeating unit A are contained, the content of the repeating unit A means the total content of the repeating unit A.

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

[0068]

[0069] In formula (B), R Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ Examples of the alkyl group in R include linear alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms) and branched or cyclic alkyl groups having 3 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 3 to 9 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms). Specific examples include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, and cyclohexyl groups. Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ Examples of the alkenyl group in R include linear alkenyl groups having 2 to 18 carbon atoms and branched alkenyl groups having 3 to 18 carbon atoms. Specific examples include vinyl groups, aryl groups, 2-butenyl groups, and 3-pentenyl groups. Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ The aryl group in R includes an aryl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms (preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms). Specific examples include a phenyl group, a 2,6-diethylphenyl group, a 3,5-ditrifluoromethylphenyl group, a styryl group, a naphthyl group, and a biphenyl group. Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ is preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and even more preferably a hydrogen atom.

[0070] In formula (B), R Ｂ４ and RＢ５ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ is a substituent, R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ may be linked to form a ring.

[0071] R Ｂ４ The molecular weight and R Ｂ５ The total molecular weight of the above is preferably 200 or less, more preferably 100 or less, and even more preferably 70 or less. The details of the reason for this are not clear, but it is generally presumed as follows. That is, if the total molecular weight is 100 or less, there is no steric hindrance from the substituents, and the specific copolymer does not inhibit the alignment of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic material, which is thought to result in a high degree of order in the liquid crystal and a superior degree of alignment in the light absorption anisotropic film. Ｂ４ The molecular weight and R Ｂ５ The lower limit of the total molecular weight of the above is preferably 2 or more.

[0072] R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ In terms of achieving better effects of the present invention, the substituent represented by is preferably an organic group, more preferably an organic group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, even more preferably an organic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an organic group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of the organic group include linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups, aromatic hydrocarbon groups, and heterocyclic groups.

[0073] The number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is preferably 1 to 15, more preferably 1 to 12, and even more preferably 1 to 8. The carbon atoms in the alkyl group may be —O—, —Si(CH ３ ) ２ -, -(Si(CH ３ ) ２ O) ｇ -, -(OSi(CH ３ ) ２ ) ｇ -(g represents an integer of 1 to 10), -N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z １ )-, -C(Z)=N-, -N=C(Z)-, -C(O)-, -OC(O)-, -C(O)O-, -O-C(O)O-, -N(Z)C(O)-, -C(O)N(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z１ )-C(O)O-, -OC(O)-C(Z)=C(Z １ )-, -C(Z)=N-, -N=C(Z)-, -C(Z)=C(Z １ )-C(O)N(Z ２ ) -, -N(Z ２ )-C(O)-C(Z)=C(Z １ )-,-C(Z)=C(Z １ )-C(O)-S-, -S-C(O)-C(Z)=C(Z １ )-,-C(Z)=N-N=C(Z １ )-(Z, Z １ and Z ２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom), —C≡C—, —N═N—, —S—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, —SO ２ The alkyl group may be substituted with -, -(O)S(O)O-, -O(O)S(O)O-, -SC(O)-, and -C(O)S-, or with a group consisting of a combination of two or more of these groups. Among the groups with which the carbon atom of the alkyl group may be substituted, -O-, -C(O)-, -N(Z)-, -OC(O)-, or -C(O)O- is preferred in terms of achieving superior effects of the present invention. The hydrogen atom of the alkyl group may be substituted with a halogen atom, a cyano group, an aryl group, a nitro group, -OZ Ｈ１ , -C(O)Z Ｈ１ , -C(O)OZ Ｈ１ , -OC(O)Z Ｈ１ , -OC(O)OZ Ｈ１ , -NZ Ｈ１ Z Ｈ２ , -NZ Ｈ１ C(O)Z Ｈ２ , -NZ Ｈ１ C(O)OZ Ｈ２ , -C(O)NZ Ｈ１ Z Ｈ２ , -OC(O)NZ Ｈ１ Z Ｈ２ , -NZ Ｈ１ C(O)NZ Ｈ２ OZ Ｈ３ , -SZ Ｈ１ , -C(S)Z Ｈ１ , -C(O)SZ Ｈ１ , or -SC(O)Z Ｈ１, may be substituted with. Ｈ１ , Z Ｈ２ and Z Ｈ３ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a cyano group, or a nitro group. Among the groups in which a hydrogen atom of the alkyl group may be substituted, —OH, —COOH, or an aryl group (a phenyl group is preferred) is preferred in terms of achieving better effects of the present invention.

[0074] The hydrogen atoms of the aromatic hydrocarbon group and the hydrogen atoms of the heterocyclic group may be substituted with a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, -OZ Ｈ１ , -C(O)Z Ｈ１ , -C(O)OZ Ｈ１ , -OC(O)Z Ｈ１ , -OC(O)OZ Ｈ１ , -NZ Ｈ１ Z Ｈ２ , -NZ Ｈ１ C(O)Z Ｈ２ , -NZ Ｈ１ C(O)OZ Ｈ２ , -C(O)NZ Ｈ１ Z Ｈ２ , -OC(O)NZ Ｈ１ Z Ｈ２ , -NZ Ｈ１ C(O)NZ Ｈ２ OZ Ｈ３ , -SZ Ｈ１ , -C(S)Z Ｈ１ , -C(O)SZ Ｈ１ , -SC(O)Z Ｈ１ , -B(OH) ２ Z may be substituted with Ｈ１ , Z Ｈ２ and Z Ｈ３ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a cyano group, or a nitro group. Among the groups with which the hydrogen atom of the aromatic hydrocarbon group and the hydrogen atom of the heterocyclic group may be substituted, -OH and -B(OH) are preferred in terms of providing better effects for the present invention. ２ is preferred.

[0075] R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５are each independently preferably a hydrogen atom or an organic group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, in terms of more excellent effects of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the organic group are as described above. In terms of more excellent effects of the present invention, R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ At least one of the groups is preferably a substituent, and at least one of the groups is more preferably an organic group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms.

[0076] R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ The ring formed by linking R is a heterocycle containing a nitrogen atom in formula (B), and may further contain heteroatoms such as oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms, and nitrogen atoms in the ring. Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ The ring formed by linking R is preferably a 4- to 8-membered ring, more preferably a 5- to 7-membered ring, and even more preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring, in terms of achieving better effects of the present invention. Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ The number of carbon atoms constituting the ring formed by linking R is preferably 3 to 7, and more preferably 3 to 6, in terms of achieving better effects of the present invention. Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ The ring formed by linking R may or may not have aromaticity, but it is preferable that it does not have aromaticity in order to achieve better effects of the present invention. Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ Specific examples of the ring formed by linking the groups include the following groups.

[0077]

[0078] Specific examples of the repeating unit B are shown below, but the repeating unit B is not limited to the following structures.

[0079]

[0080] When polymer 1 contains repeating unit B, the content of repeating unit B is preferably 2 to 75 mass%, more preferably 3 to 70 mass%, and even more preferably 5 to 65 mass%, based on the total repeating units (100 mass%) contained in polymer 1. When the content of repeating unit B is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent. Polymer 1 may contain one type of repeating unit B alone, or two or more types of repeating unit B. When two or more types of repeating unit B are contained, the content of repeating unit B refers to the total content of repeating unit B.

[0081] <Repeating Unit D> The repeating unit D is a repeating unit represented by the following formula (D): The repeating unit D is a repeating unit containing a predetermined spacer (S p Ｄ１ ) and a linking group having a predetermined ring structure (Cy in formula (B) described later). Ｄ ) which is believed to improve the viscosity of the liquid crystal composition and further suppress repelling. Furthermore, since the repeating unit D has a predetermined hydrogen-bonding group (D in formula (B) described later), it forms a polymer through hydrogen bonding and forms an air-interface layer with high planarity suitable for aligning the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance, which is believed to further improve the degree of alignment of the optically absorptive anisotropic film that is formed.

[0082]

[0083] In formula (D), R Ｄ１ , R Ｄ２ and R Ｄ３ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. Ｄ１ , R Ｄ２ and R Ｄ３ Specific examples and preferred embodiments of the alkyl group, alkenyl group and aryl group in the formula (B) are Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ The alkyl group, alkenyl group, and aryl group in R Ｄ１ , R Ｄ２ and R Ｄ３is preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and even more preferably a hydrogen atom.

[0084] In formula (D), L Ｄ１ represents a single bond, —COO— or —CO—, and —CO— is preferred.

[0085] In formula (D), Sp Ｄ１ represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The divalent hydrocarbon group may be linear or branched. Ｄ１ In the formula, examples of the divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms include a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and among these, a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is preferred. Here, as the divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms is preferred, and an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms is more preferred. Specific examples of suitable groups include a methylene group, an ethylene group, a propylene group, a butylene group, a pentylene group, a hexylene group, a methylhexylene group, and a heptylene group. In addition, in the formula Sp Ｄ１ -CH which constitutes part of the hydrocarbon group in ２ -, one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ２ Each - may be independently substituted with -O-, -S-, -NH-, or -N(Q)-. Q represents a substituent, and examples thereof include the substituent W described above. Among these, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a halogen atom is preferable.

[0086] In formula (D), L Ｄ２ and L Ｄ３ each independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Ｄ２ and L Ｄ３ Examples of the divalent linking group in the formula include -C(O)O-, -O-, -S-, and -C(O)NR Ｌ１ -, -SO ２ - and -NR Ｌ１ R Ｌ２ In the formula, R Ｌ１ and R Ｌ２each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of the substituent that the alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms may have include the aforementioned substituent W, and among these, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a halogen atom is preferred.

[0087] In formula (D), Cy Ｄ represents a divalent linking group containing a mesogen group. A mesogen group is a group that represents the main skeleton of a liquid crystal molecule that contributes to liquid crystal formation. The liquid crystal molecule exhibits liquid crystallinity, which is an intermediate state (mesophase) between a crystalline state and an isotropic liquid state. There are no particular limitations on the mesogen group, and reference can be made, for example, to "Flussige Kristalle in Tablellen II" (VEB Deutsche Verlag fur Grundstoff Industrie, Leipzig, published in 1984), particularly the description on pages 7 to 16, and to "Liquid Crystal Handbook" edited by the Liquid Crystal Handbook Editorial Committee (Maruzen, published in 2000), particularly the description in Chapter 3. The mesogen group preferably contains 1 to 10 cyclic structures, and more preferably contains 1 to 7 cyclic structures. Specific examples of the cyclic structure include an aromatic hydrocarbon group, a heterocyclic group, and an alicyclic group.

[0088] Cy ＤThe divalent linking group containing a mesogen group in (I) is preferably a divalent mesogen group. Examples of divalent mesogen groups include divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups, divalent heterocyclic groups, and divalent alicyclic groups. Specific examples of divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups include a phenylene group, a naphthylene group, a fluorene-diyl group, an anthracene-diyl group, and a tetracene-diyl group. The divalent heterocyclic group may be either aromatic or non-aromatic, but is preferably a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group from the viewpoint of further improving the degree of orientation. Examples of atoms other than carbon that constitute a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group include a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, and an oxygen atom. When an aromatic heterocyclic group has multiple atoms that constitute a ring other than carbon, these atoms may be the same or different. Specific examples of the divalent aromatic heterocyclic group include a pyridylene group (pyridine-diyl group), a pyridazine-diyl group, an imidazole-diyl group, a thienylene (thiophene-diyl group), a quinolylene group (quinoline-diyl group), an isoquinolylene group (isoquinoline-diyl group), an oxazole-diyl group, a thiazole-diyl group, an oxadiazole-diyl group, a benzothiazole-diyl group, a benzothiadiazole-diyl group, a phthalimide-diyl group, a thienothiazole-diyl group, a thiazolothiazole-diyl group, a thienothiophene-diyl group, and a thienoxazole-diyl group. Specific examples of the divalent alicyclic group include a cyclopentylene group and a cyclohexylene group, and the carbon atoms are selected from the group consisting of —O—, —Si(CH ３ ) ２ -, -N(Z Ｍ )-(Z Ｍ represents hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a cyano group, or a halogen atom), —C(O)—, —S—, —C(S)—, —S(O)—, and —SO ２ -, or a group in which two or more of these groups are combined.

[0089] Among these, Cy is preferred because it provides a more excellent effect of the present invention and a more excellent degree of orientation of the optical absorption anisotropic film. Ｄ is expressed by the following formula (Cy Ｄ -1) to (Cy ＤIn the following formula, * represents L Ｄ２ or L Ｄ３ The carbon atoms constituting the ring structure in the following formula may be substituted with a heteroatom or may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent that the carbon atoms constituting the ring structure may have include the above-mentioned substituent W, and among these, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a halogen atom is preferred.

[0090]

[0091] The above formula (Cy Ｄ -1) to (Cy Ｄ -15) specifically include, for example, a 1,4-phenylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexylene group, a 1,4-cyclohexenyl group, a tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl group, a 1,4-piperazine group, a 1,4-piperidine group, a 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl group, a tetrahydrothiopyran-2,5-diyl group, a 1,4-bicyclo(2,2,2)octylene group, a decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, a pyridine-2,5-diyl group, a pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group, Examples of such an alkyl group include pyrazine-2,5-diyl group, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl group, 2,6-naphthylene group, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, 1,2,3,4,4a,9,10a-octahydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl group, 9-fluorenone-2,7-diyl, fluorene-2,7-diyl group, thienothiophene-3,6-diyl group, carbazole-3,6-diyl group, and carbazole-2,7-diyl group.

[0092] Cy in the above formula (B) Ｄ is preferably selected from the above formula (Cy Ｄ −1), (Cy Ｄ -4), (Cy Ｄ -7), (Cy Ｄ -10) and (Cy Ｄ -13), and Ｄ -7) and (CyＤ It is more preferable that the linking group is a divalent linking group represented by any one of the following:

[0093] In formula (D), D represents a hydrogen-bonding group composed of a hydrogen atom and a nonmetallic atom of Groups 14 to 16 (periodic table). The nonmetallic atom may have a substituent. Examples of nonmetallic atoms of Groups 14 to 16 include oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms, nitrogen atoms, and carbon atoms. Examples of substituents that may be carried by nonmetallic atoms (particularly nitrogen atoms and carbon atoms) include halogen atoms, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, alkyl-substituted alkoxy groups, cyclic alkyl groups, aryl groups (e.g., phenyl groups, naphthyl groups, etc.), cyano groups, amino groups, nitro groups, alkylcarbonyl groups, sulfo groups, and hydroxyl groups.

[0094] Examples of such hydrogen bond groups include hydrogen bond donor groups and hydrogen bond acceptor groups. Specific examples of hydrogen bond donor groups include amino groups, amide groups, urea groups, urethane groups, sulfonylamino groups, sulfo groups, phospho groups, hydroxy groups, mercapto groups, carboxy groups, methylene groups substituted with electron-withdrawing groups, and methine groups substituted with electron-withdrawing groups, with carboxy groups and amide groups being preferred. Specific examples of hydrogen bond acceptor groups include heteroatoms having unshared electron pairs on heterocycles, hydroxy groups, aldehydes, ketones, carboxy groups, carboxylic acid esters, carboxylic acid amides, lactones, lactams, sulfonic acid amides, sulfo groups, phospho groups, phosphoric acid amides, urethanes, ureas, ether structures (particularly polymer structures having oxygen atoms contained in polyether structures), aliphatic amines, and aromatic amines, with carboxy groups and amide groups being preferred.

[0095] In formula (D), n represents an integer of 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, a plurality of L Ｄ２ may be the same or different, and a plurality of Cy Ｄ may be the same or different.

[0096] In the present invention, n in the above formula (D) is preferably 1 or 2 because the haze of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is less observable (the haze is better), and more preferably 2 because repelling is more suppressed when the optically absorptive anisotropic film is formed.

[0097] In the present invention, the repeating unit D is selected from the group consisting of L Ｄ３ represents a single bond, and D represents -COOH or -NHCOR ２ , or -CONHR ３ Preferably, the repeating unit is a repeating unit that represents ２ and R ３ each independently represents an alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The alkyl group and alkenyl group may be linear or branched. However, -CH ２ -, one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ２ - may be substituted with -O-.

[0098] In the present invention, the repeating unit D is preferably L Ｄ３ represents a single bond, and D is -NHCOR ４ Preferably, the repeating unit is a repeating unit that represents ４ represents an alkyl group or alkenyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The alkyl group and alkenyl group may be linear or branched. However, -CH ２ -, one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ２ - may be substituted with -O-.

[0099] Examples of the monomer that forms the repeating unit D include monomers represented by the following formula: In the following formula, Me represents a methyl group, and Ac represents an acetyl group.

[0100]

[0101]

[0102]

[0103]

[0104] When polymer 1 has repeating unit D, the content of repeating unit D is preferably 5 to 85% by mass, more preferably 10 to 75% by mass, and even more preferably 20 to 70% by mass, based on the total repeating units (100% by mass) contained in polymer 1. When the content of repeating unit D is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent. Polymer 1 may contain one type of repeating unit D alone, or two or more types of repeating units D. When two or more types of repeating units D are contained, the content of repeating unit D refers to the total content of repeating units D.

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

[0106] (Condition 1) The repeating unit E satisfying condition 1 is a repeating unit having a polar group at the end of the side chain. Here, the polar group refers to a substituent having a hydrogen atom and having a charge imbalance between the bond between the hydrogen atom and the atom to which the hydrogen atom is bonded, or an ion pair consisting of a deprotonated or protonated form of this substituent. Specific examples of the substituent include an amino group, an amide group, a urea group, a urethane group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfo group, a phospho group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group, a carboxyl group, a methylene group substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, and a methine group substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, with a carboxyl group being preferred. Specific examples of the ion pair include carboxylates, onium salts, sulfonium salts, and phosphonium salts.

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

[0108] In the above formula (K-1), R １０ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and among these, a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms is preferred, a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferred, and a hydrogen atom or a methyl group is even more preferred.

[0109] Specific examples of the monomer that forms the repeating unit represented by the formula (K-1) include acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.

[0110] (Condition 2) The repeating unit E that satisfies condition 2 is a repeating unit represented by the following formula (E-1) or (E-2).

[0111] In the above formulas (E-1) and (E-2), R Ｅ２ and R Ｅ３ Each of the groups independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｅ１ and L Ｅ３ represents a single bond, or —O—, —S—, —COO—, —OCO—, or —CONR Ｌ１ -, -NR Ｌ１ COO-, -CR Ｌ１ represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of N-, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group, and a combination thereof; R Ｌ１ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. In addition, in the above formula (E-1), ring E represents a ring structure having a cationized nitrogen atom. In addition, in the above formula (E-1), X represents an anion. In addition, in the above formula (E-1), L Ｅ２ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group; R Ｅ４ and RＥ５ may be linked to each other via an alkylene linking group, an arylene linking group, or a linking group consisting of a combination thereof.

[0112] In the above formulas (E-1) and (E-2), R Ｅ２ and R Ｅ３ As described above, each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｅ２ and R Ｅ３ Examples of the substituent represented by one embodiment of R include the groups described above for the substituent W, and among these, aliphatic hydrocarbons (for example, alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms) are preferred. Ｅ２ and R Ｅ３ is preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, still more preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

[0113] In addition, in the above formulas (E-1) and (E-2), L Ｅ１ and L Ｅ３ As described above, represents a single bond, or —O—, —S—, —COO—, —OCO—, or —CONR Ｌ１ -, -NR Ｌ１ COO-, -CR Ｌ１ represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of N-, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group, and a combination thereof; R Ｌ１ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0114] Here, L Ｅ１ and L Ｅ３ Examples of the substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic group represented by one embodiment of the formula (I) include an alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or a cycloalkylene group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent (for example, a cyclohexylene group), among which an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms is preferred, an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms is more preferred, and a methylene group, an ethylene group, a propylene group, or a butylene group is even more preferred. Ｅ１ and L Ｅ３The substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group represented by one embodiment of (1) includes a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent or a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group which may have a substituent. Examples of the divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group include groups obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from each of two carbon atoms constituting the ring structure of an aromatic hydrocarbon ring such as a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, an anthracene ring, a triphenylene ring, or a fluorene ring. Among these, a phenylene group or a naphthylene group obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from each of two carbon atoms constituting the ring structure of a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring is preferred. On the other hand, examples of the divalent aromatic heterocyclic group include groups obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from each of two carbon atoms constituting the ring structure of an aromatic heterocyclic ring such as a furan ring, a pyrrole ring, a thiophene ring, a pyridine ring, a thiazole ring, a benzothiazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazolothiazole ring, or a phenanthroline ring. The substituent that the divalent aliphatic group or divalent aromatic group may have includes the groups described above as the substituent W.

[0115] In addition, the above-mentioned R Ｌ１ The alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms represented by one embodiment of the formula (1) is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and specific examples thereof include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, and an n-hexyl group.

[0116] In the formula (E-1), the ring E represents a ring structure having a cationized nitrogen atom, as described above. The ring E is preferably a ring structure represented by the following formula (E-1-1). In the formula (E-1-1), * represents L Ｅ１ represents the bonding position with

[0117] Examples of the ring structure of Ring E include a pyridine ring, a picoline ring, a 2,2'-bipyridyl ring, a 4,4'-bipyridyl ring, a 1,10-phenanthroline ring, a quinoline ring, an oxazole ring, a thiazole ring, an imidazole ring, a pyrazine ring, a triazole ring, and a tetrazole ring. Ring E is preferably a quaternary imidazolium ion or a quaternary pyridinium ion.

[0118] In addition, in the above formula (E-1), X represents an anion, as described above. Examples of X include halogen anions (e.g., fluorine ion, chlorine ion, bromine ion, iodine ion, etc.), sulfonate ions (e.g., methanesulfonate ion, trifluoromethanesulfonate ion, methyl sulfate ion, vinyl sulfonate ion, allyl sulfonate ion, p-toluenesulfonate ion, p-chlorobenzenesulfonate ion, p-vinylbenzenesulfonate ion, 1,3-benzenedisulfonate ion, 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate ion, 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonate ion, etc.), sulfate ion, carbonate ion, nitrate ion, thiocyanate ion, perchlorate ion, tetrafluoroborate ion, picrate ion, acetate ion, benzoate ion, p-vinylbenzoate ion, formate ion, trifluoroacetate ion, phosphate ion (e.g., hexafluorophosphate ion), hydroxide ion, etc. Preferred are halogen anions, sulfonate ions, and hydroxide ions. Particularly preferred are chloride ions, bromide ions, iodide ions, methanesulfonate ions, vinylsulfonate ions, p-toluenesulfonate ions, and p-vinylbenzenesulfonate ions.

[0119] In addition, in the above formula (E-1), L Ｅ２ As described above, L represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｅ２ Examples of the substituent represented by one embodiment of the formula (I) include the groups described above for the substituent W, and among these, an alkylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an aliphatic hydrocarbon (for example, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms), a heterocyclic group, and a cyano group are preferred.

[0120] In addition, in the above formula (E-2), R Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５As described above, each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group; R Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５ may be linked to each other via an alkylene linking group, an arylene linking group, or a linking group consisting of a combination thereof.

[0121] R Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５ Examples of the substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group represented by one embodiment of the formula (1) include an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an alkynyl group, each of which may have a substituent. Specific examples of the alkyl group include linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl, eicosyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, 1-methylbutyl, isohexyl, 2-methylhexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 1-adamantyl, and 2-norbornyl. Specific examples of the alkenyl group include linear, branched, or cyclic alkenyl groups such as vinyl, 1-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 1-methyl-1-propenyl, 1-cyclopentenyl, and 1-cyclohexenyl groups. Specific examples of the alkynyl group include ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 1-butynyl, and 1-octynyl groups.

[0122] R Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５ Examples of the substituted or unsubstituted aryl group represented by one embodiment of the formula (1) include a fused ring formed by one to four benzene rings and a fused ring formed by a benzene ring and an unsaturated five-membered ring, and specific examples thereof include a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthryl group, a phenanthryl group, an indenyl group, an acenabutenyl group, a fluorenyl group, and a pyrenyl group.

[0123] R Ｅ４and R Ｅ５ Examples of the substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group represented by one embodiment of the formula (1) include heteroaryl groups obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from a heteroaromatic ring containing one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, and a sulfur atom. Specific examples of heteroaromatic rings containing one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, and a sulfur atom include pyrrole, furan, thiophene, pyrazole, imidazole, triazole, oxazole, isoxazole, oxadiazole, thiazole, thiadiazole, indole, carbazole, benzofuran, dibenzofuran, thianaphthene, dibenzothiophene, indazole, benzimidazole, anthranil, benzisoxazole, benzoxazole, benzothiazole, purine, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine, quinoline, acridine, isoquinoline, phthalazine, quinazoline, quinoxaline, naphthyridine, phenanthroline, and pteridine.

[0124] R Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５ Examples of the substituent that may be possessed by include the groups described above for the substituent W.

[0125] Specific examples of the monomer that forms the repeating unit represented by formula (E-1) include the monomers represented by the following formulae I-1 to I-11.

[0126] Specific examples of the monomer that forms the repeating unit represented by formula (E-2) include the monomers represented by formulas II-1 to II-12 below.

[0127] In the present invention, it is more preferable that the repeating unit E satisfying condition 2 is a repeating unit represented by the above formula (E-2), in order to further suppress the occurrence of surface unevenness.

[0128] The polymer 1 having the repeating unit E satisfying the condition 2 may further have a repeating unit E satisfying the above-mentioned condition 1, i.e., a repeating unit having a polar group at the end of the side chain, and may also satisfy the above-mentioned condition 1.

[0129] When polymer 1 has repeating unit E, the content of repeating unit E is preferably 5 to 70 mass%, more preferably 10 to 65 mass%, and even more preferably 15 to 60 mass%, based on the total repeating units (100 mass%) contained in polymer 1. When the content of repeating unit E is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent. Polymer 1 may contain one type of repeating unit E alone, or two or more types of repeating units E. When two or more types of repeating units E are contained, the content of repeating unit E above refers to the total content of repeating units E.

[0130] <Repeating Unit F> The polymer 1 having the repeating unit E preferably further has a repeating unit F containing a polymerizable group, for the reason that the adhesion between the optically absorptive anisotropic film and an adjacent layer is improved.

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

[0132] In the above formula (F), R Ｆ１ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and among these, a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms is preferred, a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferred, and a hydrogen atom or a methyl group is even more preferred.

[0133] In addition, in the above formula (F), L Ｆ１ represents a single bond, or —O—, —S—, —COO—, —OCO—, or —CONR Ｌ２ -, -NR Ｌ２ COO-, -CR Ｌ２ represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of N-, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group, and a combination thereof; R Ｌ２ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or -L Ｆ１ -Q Ｆ１It is to be noted that R Ｌ２ Ga-L Ｆ１ -Q Ｆ１ Q when Ｆ１ is Q in (F) above Ｆ１ Similarly, represents a polymerizable group.

[0134] Here, L Ｆ１ The divalent aliphatic group and the divalent aromatic group represented by the formula (E-1) are respectively Ｅ１ and R Ｌ２ The alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms represented by the formula (E-1) is the same as R Ｌ１ The same can be mentioned.

[0135] In addition, in the above formula (F), Q Ｆ１ represents a polymerizable group. Ｆ１ is preferably any polymerizable group selected from the group consisting of groups represented by the following formulas (F-1) to (F-7), more preferably any polymerizable group selected from the group consisting of groups represented by the following formulas (F-1) to (F-3), and even more preferably a polymerizable group represented by the following formula (F-1) or (F-2).

[0136] In the above formulas (F-1) to (F-7), * represents L Ｆ２ represents the bonding position with ３０ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and two R ３０ may be the same or different and may be linked to each other to form a ring structure. ３０ Specific examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, and an n-butyl group.

[0137] In the present invention, from the viewpoints of ease of production, economic efficiency, and radical polymerizability, the repeating unit represented by the above formula (F-1) is Ｆ１ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and L Ｆ１is a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —COO—, —OCO—, and combinations of substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic groups (preferably alkylene groups having 2 to 8 carbon atoms).

[0138] Specific examples of the repeating unit F include repeating units represented by the following formula:

[0139] When polymer 1 contains repeating unit F, the content of repeating unit F is preferably 1 to 30% by mass, more preferably 5 to 20% by mass, based on the total repeating units (100% by mass) contained in polymer 1. Polymer 1 may contain one type of repeating unit F alone, or two or more types of repeating units F. When two or more types of repeating units F are contained, the content of repeating unit F refers to the total content of repeating units F.

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

[0141] <Molecular Weight> From the viewpoint of achieving superior effects of the present invention, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of polymer 1 is preferably 2,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably 3,000 to 200,000, and even more preferably 5,000 to 80,000. Here, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of polymer 1 is calculated in terms of polystyrene by gel permeation chromatography (EcoSEC HLC-8320GPC (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) using tetrahydrofuran as an eluent, a flow rate of 0.35 mL / min, and a temperature of 40°C. The columns used are TSKgel SuperHZM-H, TSKgel SuperHZ4000, and TSKgel SuperHZ200 (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation)).

[0142] [Polymer 2] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains polymer 2. Polymer 2 has a repeating unit A including a structure represented by formula (A) above, and is a polymer different from polymer 1 above. It is preferable that polymer 2 is substantially free of fluorine atoms. "Substantially free of fluorine atoms" means that the total content of fluorine atoms contained in polymer 2 is 5 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of polymer 2. The total content of fluorine atoms contained in polymer 2 is more preferably 3 parts by mass or less, and even more preferably 0 parts by mass. Here, a polymer different from polymer 1 means a polymer with a different chemical structure from polymer 1, or a polymer with the same chemical structure as polymer 1 but a different composition ratio. Polymer 2 is preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1) and at least one of repeating unit B and repeating unit D, and more preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1), repeating unit B, and repeating unit D, from the viewpoints of facilitating the production of an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting horizontal alignment (the angle θ between the central axis of transmittance of the optically absorptive anisotropic film and the normal direction to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is more than 45° and not more than 90°) and of providing better effects of the present invention. On the other hand, polymer 2 is preferably a polymer (copolymer) containing repeating unit A (preferably repeating unit A-1) and repeating unit E satisfying condition 1 or 2 described below, from the viewpoint of facilitating the production of an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting vertical alignment (the angle θ between the central axis of transmittance of the optically absorptive anisotropic film and the normal direction to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is 0° or more and 45° or less), and from the viewpoint of more excellent effects of the present invention, and may further contain repeating unit F. Each repeating unit in polymer 2 (i.e., repeating unit A, repeating unit B, repeating unit D, repeating unit E, and repeating unit F) is the same as each repeating unit in polymer 1, including preferred embodiments, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0143] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting horizontal alignment, the content A2 of the repeating unit A relative to the total repeating units (100% by mass) contained in polymer 2 is preferably 5.0 to 50.0% by mass, more preferably 10.0 to 50.0% by mass, and even more preferably 10.0 to 40.0% by mass. When the content of the repeating unit A is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent.

[0144] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting homeotropic alignment, the content A2 of the repeating unit A relative to all repeating units (100% by mass) contained in polymer 2 is preferably 5.0 to 70.0% by mass, more preferably 5.0 to 65.0% by mass, even more preferably 10.0 to 65.0% by mass, and particularly preferably 15.0 to 60.0% by mass. When the content of the repeating unit A is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent.

[0145] The repeating unit A may be contained in one type alone or in two or more types in the polymer 2. When two or more types of the repeating unit A are contained, the content of the repeating unit A means the total content of the repeating unit A.

[0146] When polymer 2 contains repeating unit B, the content of repeating unit B is preferably 5.0 to 90.0 mass%, more preferably 10.0 to 85.0 mass%, and even more preferably 15.0 to 80.0 mass%, based on the total repeating units (100 mass%) contained in polymer 2. When the content of repeating unit B is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent. Polymer 2 may contain one type of repeating unit B alone, or two or more types of repeating unit B. When two or more types of repeating unit B are contained, the content of repeating unit B refers to the total content of repeating unit B.

[0147] When polymer 2 contains repeating unit D, the content of repeating unit D is preferably 10.0 to 90.0 mass%, more preferably 20.0 to 85.0 mass%, and even more preferably 25.0 to 80.0 mass%, based on the total repeating units (100 mass%) contained in polymer 2. When the content of repeating unit D is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent. Polymer 2 may contain one type of repeating unit D alone, or two or more types of repeating units D. When two or more types of repeating units D are contained, the content of repeating unit D above refers to the total content of repeating units D.

[0148] When polymer 2 has repeating unit E, the content of repeating unit E is preferably 5.0 to 80.0 mass%, more preferably 7.0 to 75.0 mass%, and even more preferably 9.0 to 70.0 mass%, based on the total repeating units (100 mass%) contained in polymer 2. When the content of repeating unit E is within the above range, the effects of the present invention are more excellent. Polymer 2 may contain one type of repeating unit E alone, or two or more types of repeating units E. When two or more types of repeating units E are contained, the content of repeating unit E above means the total content of repeating units E.

[0149] When polymer 2 contains repeating unit F, the content of repeating unit F is preferably 5.0 to 40.0 mass%, more preferably 10.0 to 30.0 mass%, based on the total repeating units (100 mass%) contained in polymer 2. Polymer 2 may contain one type of repeating unit F alone, or two or more types of repeating units F. When two or more types of repeating units F are contained, the content of repeating unit F refers to the total content of repeating units F.

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

[0151] <Molecular Weight> In terms of better effects of the present invention, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of polymer 2 is preferably 2,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably 3,000 to 200,000, and even more preferably 5,000 to 80,000. The Mw of polymer 2 is calculated in the same manner as for polymer 1.

[0152] [A1 / A2] The ratio A1 / A2 is preferably greater than 1, more preferably 1.1 or greater, even more preferably 1.2 or greater, and particularly preferably 1.3 or greater, in order to achieve a better degree of orientation. Furthermore, in order to further suppress the occurrence of surface unevenness, the ratio is preferably 8.0 or less, more preferably 7.50 or less, and even more preferably 7.0 or less. A1 (unit: mass %) refers to the content of repeating unit A contained in polymer 1 relative to the total repeating units contained in polymer 1. A2 (unit: mass %) refers to the content of repeating unit A contained in polymer 2 relative to the total repeating units contained in polymer 2.

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

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

[0155] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting horizontal alignment, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is preferably greater than 1, more preferably 1.10 or greater, even more preferably 1.370 or greater, particularly preferably 3.000 or greater, and is preferably 41.32 or less, more preferably 25.000 or less, and even more preferably 15.000 or less. When X1 / X2 is greater than 1, the surface state and the degree of alignment are more excellent. Furthermore, when X1 / X2 is 41.32 or less, the surface state and the degree of alignment are more excellent.

[0156] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting vertical alignment, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is preferably greater than 1, more preferably 1.10 or greater, even more preferably 2.000 or greater, particularly preferably 4.000 or greater, and is preferably 79.34 or less, more preferably 50.000 or less, and even more preferably 30.000 or less. When X1 / X2 is greater than 1, the surface shape and degree of alignment are more excellent. Furthermore, when X1 / X2 is 79.34 or less, the surface shape and degree of alignment are more excellent.

[0157] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting horizontal alignment, X1 is preferably 0.0016 to 0.057 parts by mass, more preferably 0.0040 to 0.0500 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.0100 to 0.0450 parts by mass, in terms of more excellent effects of the present invention. When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting horizontal alignment, X2 is preferably 0.0013 to 0.0500 parts by mass, more preferably 0.0030 to 0.0500 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.0040 to 0.0300 parts by mass, in terms of more excellent effects of the present invention.

[0158] When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting vertical alignment, X1 is preferably 0.0027 to 0.0546 parts by mass, more preferably 0.0055 to 0.0400 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.0100 to 0.0500 parts by mass, in terms of more excellent effects of the present invention. When the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is used to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting vertical alignment, X2 is preferably 0.0006 to 0.0437 parts by mass, more preferably 0.0010 to 0.0300 parts by mass, and even more preferably 0.0020 to 0.0200 parts by mass, in terms of more excellent effects of the present invention.

[0159] [Other Components] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain components (hereinafter also referred to as "other components") other than the above-described liquid crystal compound, dichroic substance, polymer 1, and polymer 2. Examples of the other components include an alignment agent, a polymerization initiator, and a solvent.

[0160] <Alignment Agent> The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain an alignment agent. Examples of the alignment agent include a boronic acid compound and an onium salt. The boronic acid compound functions as a horizontal alignment agent or a vertical alignment agent. The onium salt functions as a vertical alignment agent. The alignment agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0161] The boronic acid compound is preferably a compound represented by formula (30).

[0162] Formula (30)

[0163] In formula (30), R １ and R ２ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group. ３ represents a substituent containing a (meth)acrylic group. Specific examples of the boronic acid compound include the boronic acid compounds represented by general formula (I) described in paragraphs 0023 to 0032 of JP-A 2008-225281. Preferred boronic acid compounds include the compounds exemplified below.

[0164]

[0165] Specific examples of the onium salt include the onium salts described in paragraphs 0052 to 0058 of JP-A No. 2012-208397, the onium salts described in paragraphs 0024 to 0055 of JP-A No. 2008-026730, and the onium salts described in JP-A No. 2002-37777.

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

[0167] <Polymerization initiator> The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain a polymerization initiator. There are no particular restrictions on the polymerization initiator, but it is preferably a photosensitive compound, i.e., a photopolymerization initiator. As the photopolymerization initiator, various compounds can be used without particular restrictions. Examples of photopolymerization initiators include α-carbonyl compounds (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,367,661 and 2,367,670), acyloin ethers (U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,828), α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic acyloin compounds (U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,512), polynuclear quinone compounds (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,127 and 2,951,758), and combinations of triarylimidazole dimers and p-aminophenyl ketones (U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,367). Detailed description), acridine and phenazine compounds (JP 60-105667 A and U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,850 A), oxadiazole compounds (U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,970 A), o-acyloxime compounds (JP 2016-27384 A

[0065] ), and acylphosphine oxide compounds (JP 63-40799 A, JP 5-29234 A, JP 10-95788 A, and JP 10-29997 A). As such a photopolymerization initiator, commercially available products can also be used, and examples thereof include IRGACURE 184, IRGACURE 907, IRGACURE 369, IRGACURE 651, IRGACURE 819, IRGACURE OXE-01, and IRGACURE OXE-02 manufactured by BASF. The polymerization initiator may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

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

[0169] <Solvent> The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains a solvent from the viewpoint of workability, etc. Examples of the solvent include ketones (e.g., acetone, 2-butanone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanone), ethers (e.g., dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, dioxolane, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, and cyclopentyl methyl ether), aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., hexane), alicyclic hydrocarbons (e.g., cyclohexane), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene, and trimethylbenzene), halogenated carbons (e.g., dichloromethane, trichloromethane (chloroform), dichloroethane, dichlorobenzene, and chloroform), and the like. Examples of suitable solvents include organic solvents such as toluene, esters (e.g., methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, diethyl carbonate, etc.), alcohols (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, cyclohexanol, etc.), cellosolves (e.g., methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, etc.), cellosolve acetates, sulfoxides (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide, etc.), amides (e.g., dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, N-ethylpyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, etc.), and heterocyclic compounds (e.g., pyridine, etc.), as well as water. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these solvents, organic solvents are preferred because they provide better effects of the present invention, and halogenated carbons or ketones are more preferred.

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

[0171] [Light-absorbing anisotropic film] The light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present invention is a light-absorbing anisotropic film (light-absorbing anisotropic layer) formed using the liquid crystal composition of the present invention described above. The method for producing the light-absorbing anisotropic film of the present invention is not particularly limited. However, because the degree of orientation of the resulting light-absorbing anisotropic film is higher, a method (hereinafter also referred to as the present production method) that includes, in this order, a step of applying the above-described liquid crystal composition to an alignment film to form a coating film (hereinafter also referred to as the "coating film formation step") and a step of orienting the liquid crystal component contained in the coating film (hereinafter also referred to as the "orientation step") is preferred. The liquid crystal component refers to a component that includes not only the above-described liquid crystal compound but also a dichroic substance having liquid crystallinity. Each step is described below.

[0172] [Coating Film Forming Step] The coating film forming step is a step of forming a coating film by applying the above-described liquid crystal composition onto an alignment film. By using a liquid crystal composition containing the above-described solvent or a liquid crystal composition that has been converted into a molten liquid or the like by heating or the like, it becomes easy to apply the liquid crystal composition onto the alignment film. Examples of methods for applying the liquid crystal composition include known methods such as roll coating, gravure printing, spin coating, wire bar coating, extrusion coating, direct gravure coating, reverse gravure coating, die coating, spraying, and inkjet printing.

[0173] <Alignment Film> The alignment film can be formed by means of rubbing an organic compound (preferably a polymer) onto the film surface, oblique vapor deposition of an inorganic compound, formation of a layer having microgrooves, or accumulation of an organic compound (e.g., ω-tricosanoic acid, dioctadecylmethylammonium chloride, methyl stearate, etc.) by the Langmuir-Blodgett method (LB film). Furthermore, alignment films that exhibit alignment function upon application of an electric field, a magnetic field, or light irradiation are also known. Among these, in the present invention, alignment films formed by rubbing are preferred in terms of ease of control of the pretilt angle of the alignment film, and photo-alignment films formed by light irradiation are also preferred in terms of uniformity of alignment.

[0174] (Rubbing Treatment Alignment Film) Polymer materials used for the alignment film formed by rubbing treatment are described in many literatures, and many commercially available products are available. In the present invention, polyvinyl alcohol or polyimide, and derivatives thereof are preferably used. For details of the alignment film, please refer to the description on page 43, line 24 to page 49, line 8 of WO 2001 / 88574 A1. The thickness of the alignment film is preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, and more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm.

[0175] (Photo-alignment film) Photo-alignment materials used for alignment films formed by light irradiation are described in many documents, etc. In the present invention, for example, azo compounds described in JP-A Nos. 2006-285197, 2007-76839, 2007-138138, 2007-94071, 2007-121721, 2007-140465, 2007-156439, 2007-133184, 2009-109831, Japanese Patent Nos. 3883848 and 4151746, and azo compounds described in JP-A No. 2002-229039 are used. Preferred examples include aromatic ester compounds described in JP-A Nos. 2002-265541 and 2002-317013, maleimide and / or alkenyl-substituted nadimide compounds having a photoalignment unit described in JP-A Nos. 4205195 and 4205198, and photocrosslinkable polyimides, polyamides, or esters described in JP-A Nos. 2003-520878 and 2004-529220, or JP-A No. 4162850. Azo compounds, photocrosslinkable polyimides, polyamides, or esters are more preferred.

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

[0177] Examples of light sources used for light irradiation include commonly used light sources, such as lamps such as tungsten lamps, halogen lamps, xenon lamps, xenon flash lamps, mercury lamps, mercury xenon lamps, and carbon arc lamps, various lasers [e.g., semiconductor lasers, helium-neon lasers, argon ion lasers, helium-cadmium lasers, and YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers], light-emitting diodes, and cathode ray tubes.

[0178] As a means for obtaining linearly polarized light, a method using a polarizing plate (e.g., an iodine polarizing plate, a dichroic material polarizing plate, and a wire grid polarizing plate), a method using a prism-based element (e.g., a Glan-Thompson prism) or a reflective polarizer utilizing the Brewster angle, or a method using light emitted from a polarized laser light source can be employed. Alternatively, a filter or a wavelength conversion element may be used to selectively irradiate only light of a required wavelength.

[0179] In the case of linearly polarized light, the light is irradiated from the top or back surface of the alignment film perpendicularly or obliquely to the surface of the alignment film. The incident angle of the light varies depending on the photo-alignment material, but is preferably 0 to 90° (perpendicular), and more preferably 40 to 90°. In the case of non-polarized light, the alignment film is irradiated with non-polarized light obliquely. The incident angle is preferably 10 to 80°, more preferably 20 to 60°, and even more preferably 30 to 50°. The irradiation time is preferably 1 to 60 minutes, and more preferably 1 to 10 minutes.

[0180] When patterning is required, a method of irradiating light using a photomask the number of times required to form a pattern, or a method of writing a pattern by laser beam scanning can be used.

[0181] [Orientation Step] The orientation step is a step of orienting the dichroic substance contained in the coating film. This results in the optically absorptive anisotropic film of the present invention. It is believed that in the orientation step, the dichroic substance is oriented along the liquid crystal compound oriented by the orientation film. The orientation step may include a drying treatment. Components such as the solvent can be removed from the coating film by the drying treatment. The drying treatment may be performed by leaving the coating film at room temperature for a predetermined time (e.g., natural drying), or by heating and / or blowing air. Here, the dichroic substance contained in the liquid crystal composition may be aligned by the above-described coating film formation step or drying treatment. For example, in an embodiment in which the liquid crystal composition is prepared as a coating liquid containing a solvent, the coating film may be dried to remove the solvent from the coating film, thereby aligning the dichroic substance contained in the coating film, thereby obtaining the optically absorptive anisotropic film of the present invention.

[0182] The orientation step preferably includes a heat treatment. This further aligns the dichroic material contained in the coating film, resulting in a higher degree of orientation in the resulting optically absorptive anisotropic film. From the standpoint of manufacturability, the heat treatment is preferably performed at a temperature of 10 to 250°C, more preferably 25 to 190°C. The heating time is preferably 1 to 300 seconds, more preferably 1 to 60 seconds.

[0183] The orientation step may include a cooling treatment carried out after the heating treatment. The cooling treatment is a treatment in which the coated film after heating is cooled to about room temperature (20 to 25°C). This further fixes the orientation of the dichroic material contained in the coated film, and the degree of orientation of the resulting optically absorptive anisotropic film is increased. The cooling method is not particularly limited and can be carried out by a known method. The optically absorptive anisotropic film of the present invention can be obtained by the above steps.

[0184] [Other Steps] The present production method may include a step of curing the optically absorptive anisotropic film after the alignment step (hereinafter also referred to as a "curing step"). The curing step is performed, for example, by heating and / or light irradiation (exposure). Among these, the curing step is preferably performed by light irradiation. Various light sources such as infrared light, visible light, or ultraviolet light can be used as the light source for curing, but ultraviolet light is preferred. Furthermore, ultraviolet light may be irradiated while heating during curing, or ultraviolet light may be irradiated through a filter that transmits only specific wavelengths. Furthermore, exposure may be performed in a nitrogen atmosphere. When the curing of the optically absorptive anisotropic film proceeds by radical polymerization, exposure in a nitrogen atmosphere is preferred because inhibition of polymerization by oxygen is reduced.

[0185] The thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.3 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.5 to 9 μm, in terms of achieving better effects of the present invention.

[0186] The liquid crystal compound and dichroic substance contained in the optically absorptive anisotropic film of the present invention have a fixed alignment state. One embodiment of the optically absorptive anisotropic film of the present invention is one in which the angle θ between the transmittance central axis of the optically absorptive anisotropic film and the normal direction to the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic film (hereinafter also referred to as "transmittance central axis angle θ") is more than 45° and 90° or less, more preferably 75° or more and 90° or less, and even more preferably 80° or more and 90° or less. A laminate comprising an optically absorptive anisotropic film (polarizer) having a transmittance central axis angle θ of more than 45° and 90° or less and a λ / 4 plate (described later) is suitably used as a circular polarizing plate.

[0187] Another embodiment of the optically absorptive anisotropic film of the present invention is one in which the transmittance central axis angle θ is 0° or more and 45° or less, more preferably 0° or more and 35° or less, and even more preferably 0° or more and less than 35°. A laminate comprising an optically absorptive anisotropic film in which the transmittance central axis angle θ is 0° or more and 45° or less, and a polarizer having an in-plane absorption axis, is suitably used as a viewing angle control film.

[0188] Here, the term "transmittance central axis" refers to the direction that exhibits the highest transmittance when the transmittance is measured by changing the tilt angle (polar angle) and tilt direction (azimuth angle) relative to the normal direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic film surface. Specifically, an AxoScan OPMF-1 (manufactured by OptoScience) is used to measure the Mueller matrix at a wavelength of 550 nm. More specifically, during measurement, the azimuth angle at which the transmittance central axis is tilted is first found, and then, within a plane containing the normal direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic film along that azimuth angle (a plane containing the transmittance central axis and perpendicular to the film surface), the polar angle, which is the angle relative to the normal direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic film surface, is changed in 1° increments from -70 to 70°, and the Mueller matrix at a wavelength of 550 nm is measured, and the transmittance of the optically absorptive anisotropic film is derived. As a result, the direction with the highest transmittance is designated as the transmittance central axis. The transmittance central axis means the direction of the absorption axis (the direction of the long axis of the molecule) of the dichroic material contained in the optically absorptive anisotropic film.

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

[0190] [Laminate] The laminate of the present invention has an optically absorbing anisotropic film, and the optically absorbing anisotropic film may be disposed on a substrate. When the laminate of the present invention has a substrate, an alignment film may be disposed between the substrate and the optically absorbing anisotropic film. Hereinafter, each member constituting the laminate of the present invention will be described.

[0191] [Substrate] The substrate is preferably a transparent support. The transparent support refers to a support having a visible light transmittance of 60% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more. The transparent support may be any known transparent resin film, transparent resin plate, transparent resin sheet, etc., and is not particularly limited. The transparent resin film may be a cellulose acylate film (e.g., cellulose triacetate film (refractive index 1.48), cellulose diacetate film, cellulose acetate butyrate film, cellulose acetate propionate film), polyethylene terephthalate film, polyethersulfone film, polyacrylic resin film, polyurethane resin film, polyester film, polycarbonate film, polysulfone film, polyether film, polymethylpentene film, polyether ketone film, (meth)acrylonitrile film, etc.

[0192] Among these, a cellulose acylate film is preferred, and a cellulose triacetate film is more preferred, because it has high transparency, little optical birefringence, and is easy to manufacture, and is generally used as a protective film for a polarizing plate. The thickness of the substrate is usually 20 to 100 μm. In the present invention, it is particularly preferred that the substrate is a cellulose ester film, and that the film thickness is 20 to 70 μm.

[0193] [Light-Absorption Anisotropic Film] The light-absorption anisotropic film of the present invention is as described above, and therefore, its description will be omitted.

[0194] [Alignment Film] The alignment film (alignment layer) is as described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0195] [λ / 4 Plate] One preferred embodiment of the laminate of the present invention includes an optically absorptive anisotropic film (particularly, an optically absorptive anisotropic film having a transmittance central axis angle θ of more than 45° and not more than 90°) and a λ / 4 plate. Such a laminate (optical film) is suitable for use as a circularly polarizing plate.

[0196] A λ / 4 plate is a plate having a λ / 4 function, specifically, a plate having the function of converting linearly polarized light of a certain wavelength into circularly polarized light (or circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light). For example, specific examples of a λ / 4 plate having a single layer structure include a stretched polymer film and a retardation film having a light-absorbing anisotropic film with λ / 4 function provided on a support, and specific examples of a λ / 4 plate having a multi-layer structure include a broadband λ / 4 plate formed by laminating a λ / 4 plate and a λ / 2 plate. The λ / 4 plate and the light-absorbing anisotropic film may be provided in contact with each other, or another layer may be provided between the λ / 4 plate and the light-absorbing anisotropic film. Examples of such layers include an adhesive layer or bonding layer for ensuring adhesion, and a barrier layer.

[0197] [Polarizer] Another preferred embodiment of the laminate of the present invention includes an optically absorptive anisotropic film (particularly an optically absorptive anisotropic film having a transmittance central axis angle θ of 0° or more and 45° or less) and a polarizer having an in-plane absorption axis. Such a laminate (optical film) is preferably used as a viewing angle control film used to control the viewing angle. The polarizer is preferably disposed on the side of the optically absorptive anisotropic film opposite the substrate. The polarizer may be disposed so as to be in contact with the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic film, or may be disposed on the surface of the optically absorptive anisotropic film via another layer (for example, a known adhesive layer or pressure-sensitive adhesive layer).

[0198] The polarizer is not particularly limited as long as it has an absorption axis in its plane and functions to convert light into specific linearly polarized light, and conventionally known polarizers can be used. Examples of polarizers that can be used include iodine-based polarizers, dye-based polarizers using dichroic dyes, and polyene-based polarizers. Iodine-based polarizers and dye-based polarizers include coated polarizers and stretched polarizers, both of which are applicable. Preferred polarizers are polarizers in which a dichroic organic dye is oriented by utilizing the orientation of a liquid crystal compound. Preferred stretched polarizers are polarizers produced by adsorbing iodine or a dichroic dye into polyvinyl alcohol and stretching the resulting mixture. Examples of suitable polarizers include the optically absorptive anisotropic film described in JP 2010-152351 A and containing a horizontally aligned dichroic dye compound that does not contain a liquid crystal compound and is horizontally aligned (in a direction intersecting the thickness direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic film), and the optically absorptive anisotropic film described in WO 2017 / 154907 A and containing a liquid crystal compound and a horizontally aligned dichroic dye compound.

[0199] [Barrier Layer] The laminate of the present invention preferably has a barrier layer together with the optically absorptive anisotropic film. Here, the barrier layer is also called a gas barrier layer (oxygen barrier layer), and has the function of protecting the polarizing element of the present invention from gases such as oxygen in the atmosphere, moisture, or compounds contained in adjacent layers. The laminate of the present invention preferably has a barrier layer having an oxygen permeability coefficient of 200 cc / m or more in the layer adjacent to the optically absorptive anisotropic film, for the reason that durability is further improved. ２ It is preferable that the barrier layer has an oxygen permeability of 50 cc / m or less. ２ It is more preferable that the optically absorptive anisotropic film has a barrier layer having an oxygen permeability coefficient of 200 cc / m or less other than the barrier layer. ２ If there is a layer where the permeability is 1 / 4 day atm or less, a barrier layer does not need to be provided. Here, the oxygen permeability coefficient is an index representing the amount of oxygen passing through a membrane per unit time and unit area, and in the present invention, a value measured with an oxygen concentration device (for example, Model 3600 manufactured by Hack Ultra Analytical) in an environment of 25°C and 50% relative humidity (RH) is used.

[0200] The organic compound contained in the barrier layer has a high oxygen blocking function, and examples of the organic compound include a polymerizable compound with high hydrogen bonding ability and a compound having many polymerizable groups per molecular weight. Examples of the compound having many polymerizable groups per molecular weight include pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate and dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate.

[0201] Examples of polymerizable compounds with high hydrogen bonding properties include epoxy compounds, and specifically, compounds represented by the following formula are included. Among these, 3',4'-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate represented by CEL2021P below is preferred.

[0202]

[0203] From the viewpoint of preventing diffusion of the dichroic dye in the light absorption anisotropic film during durability testing, it is also preferable to use, as the barrier layer, a polymer having a hydrophilic group described in

[0056] of WO 2019-22121 or a water-soluble polymer described in

[0117] to

[0133] of JP 2017-083843 A. In addition, reference can be made to the descriptions in paragraphs

[0014] to

[0054] of JP 2014-159124 A, paragraphs

[0042] to

[0075] of JP 2017-121721 A, paragraphs

[0045] to

[0054] of JP 2017-115076 A, paragraphs

[0010] to

[0061] of JP 2012-213938 A, and paragraphs

[0021] to

[0031] of JP 2005-169994 A.

[0204] [Adhesive Layer] The laminate of the present invention may or may not have a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. Examples of the pressure-sensitive adhesive constituting the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer include pressure-sensitive adhesives and adhesives. Examples of pressure-sensitive adhesives include rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, acrylic-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, urethane-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, vinyl alkyl ether-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, polyvinylpyrrolidone-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, polyacrylamide-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, and cellulose-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, with acrylic-based pressure-sensitive adhesives (pressure-sensitive adhesives) being preferred. Examples of adhesives include polyvinyl alcohol adhesives (water glues), solvent-based adhesives, emulsion-based adhesives, solventless adhesives, active energy ray-curable adhesives, and heat-curable adhesives. Examples of active energy ray-curable adhesives include electron beam-curable adhesives, ultraviolet ray-curable adhesives, and visible light-curable adhesives, with ultraviolet ray-curable adhesives being preferred.

[0205] The thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of thinning, it is preferably 25 μm or less, more preferably 15 μm or less, and even more preferably 5 μm or less. The lower limit is not particularly limited, and it is often 0.1 μm or more.

[0206] From the viewpoint of simplification and thinning, it is also preferable to provide the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with the function of improving the durability of the barrier layer, thereby eliminating the barrier layer and configuring the optically absorptive anisotropic film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer adjacent to each other. For example, a configuration in which an alignment layer / optically absorptive anisotropic film / pressure-sensitive adhesive layer / retardation layer are arranged adjacent to each other can be mentioned. In this case, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is preferably, for example, an adhesive containing polyvinyl alcohol as a main component, a UV (ultraviolet) adhesive with low oxygen permeability, or a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a hydrophilic group-containing polymer, from the viewpoint of preventing diffusion of the dichroic substance in the optically absorptive anisotropic film during durability testing.

[0207] [Image Display Device] The display device (image display device) of the present invention comprises the optically absorbing anisotropic film (preferably the laminate) and a display element. The optically absorbing anisotropic film and the liquid crystal cell may be laminated via a known adhesive layer or pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The display element used in the display device of the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include liquid crystal cells, organic electroluminescence (hereinafter abbreviated as "EL") display panels, and plasma display panels. Among these, a liquid crystal cell or an organic EL display panel is preferred. That is, the display device of the present invention is preferably a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal cell as the display element, or an organic EL display device using an organic EL display panel as the display element. Some image display devices are thin and can be molded into curved surfaces. The optically absorbing anisotropic film used in the present invention is thin and easily bendable, making it suitable for use in image display devices with curved display surfaces. Furthermore, some image display devices have a pixel density of over 250 ppi, enabling high-resolution display. The optically absorptive anisotropic film used in the present invention can be suitably applied to such high-definition image display devices without causing moire.

[0208] [Liquid Crystal Display Device] A preferred example of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is one having the above-described viewing angle control film and a liquid crystal cell. A specific configuration includes a configuration in which the viewing angle control film is disposed on a front-side polarizing plate or a rear-side polarizing plate. These configurations enable viewing angle control in which light is blocked in the vertical or horizontal directions. Furthermore, viewing angle control films may be disposed on both the front-side polarizing plate and the rear-side polarizing plate. This configuration enables viewing angle control in which light is blocked in all directions and light is transmitted only in the front direction. Furthermore, multiple viewing angle control films may be laminated via retardation layers. Controlling the retardation value and optical axis direction allows for control of transmission and light-blocking performance. For example, arranging a polarizer, a viewing angle control film, a λ / 2 wavelength plate (the axis angle of which is shifted by 45° relative to the orientation direction of the polarizer), and a viewing angle control film enables viewing angle control in which light is blocked in all directions and light is transmitted only in the front direction. As the retardation layer, a positive A plate, a negative A plate, a positive C plate, a negative C plate, a B plate, an O plate, etc. can be used. From the viewpoint of thinning the viewing angle control system, the thickness of the retardation layer is preferably as thin as possible as long as it does not impair optical properties, mechanical properties, and manufacturability, and specifically, is preferably 1 to 150 μm, more preferably 1 to 70 μm, and even more preferably 1 to 30 μm. The liquid crystal cell constituting the liquid crystal display device will be described in detail below.

[0209] <Liquid Crystal Cell> The liquid crystal cell used in the liquid crystal display device is preferably, but not limited to, a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode, an OCB (Opticaly Compensated Bend) mode, an IPS (In-Plane-Switching) mode, or a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode. In a TN mode liquid crystal cell, rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially horizontally when no voltage is applied, and are further aligned with a twist angle of 60 to 120 degrees. TN mode liquid crystal cells are most commonly used as color TFT liquid crystal display devices, and are described in many literatures. In a VA mode liquid crystal cell, rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially vertically when no voltage is applied. VA mode liquid crystal cells include (1) narrowly defined VA mode liquid crystal cells in which rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially vertically when no voltage is applied and substantially horizontally when voltage is applied (described in JP-A-2-176625), (2) multi-domain VA mode liquid crystal cells (described in SID97, Digest of Tech. Papers (Proceedings) 28 (1997) 845) in order to widen the viewing angle (MVA mode liquid crystal cells), (3) n-ASM mode liquid crystal cells in which rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially vertically when no voltage is applied and substantially horizontally when voltage is applied (described in Proceedings of the Japan Liquid Crystal Symposium 58-59 (1998)), and (4) SURVIVAL mode liquid crystal cells (announced at LCD International 98). The liquid crystal display may be of any of a PVA (Patterned Vertical Alignment) type, an optical alignment type, and a PSA (Polymer-Sustained Alignment) type. Details of these modes are described in detail in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-215326 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-538819.

[0210] In an IPS mode liquid crystal cell, the liquid crystal compound is oriented substantially parallel to the substrate, and when an electric field parallel to the substrate surface is applied, the liquid crystal molecules respond in a planar manner. That is, when no electric field is applied, the liquid crystal compound is oriented in-plane. In an IPS mode, when no electric field is applied, a black display is achieved, and the absorption axes of a pair of upper and lower polarizing plates are perpendicular to each other. Methods of using an optical compensation sheet to reduce light leakage during black display in an oblique direction and improve the viewing angle are disclosed in JP-A Nos. 10-54982, 11-202323, 9-292522, 11-133408, 11-305217, and 10-307291.

[0211] [Organic EL Display Device] An organic EL display device, which is an example of the display device of the present invention, preferably has, from the viewing side, the above-mentioned circular polarizer and an organic EL display panel. In this case, the substrate, the light absorption anisotropic film, and the λ / 4 plate are arranged in this order from the viewing side. The organic EL display panel is a display panel configured using an organic EL element in which an organic light-emitting layer (organic electroluminescence layer) is sandwiched between electrodes (between a cathode and an anode). The configuration of the organic EL display panel is not particularly limited, and a known configuration may be used.

[0212] [Reflective Linear Polarizer] The image display device of the present invention may include a reflective linear polarizer. The reflective linear polarizer has the effect of reflecting a portion of the light emitted from the image display panel and causing the light to travel back and forth within the optical system. From the viewpoint of suppressing stray light and ghosting, the reflective linear polarizer preferably has a high degree of polarization. As the reflective linear polarizer, a film obtained by stretching a dielectric multilayer film, such as that described in JP 2011-053705 A, and a wire grid polarizer, etc., can be used. As commercially available products, reflective polarizers (product names APF, IQPE) manufactured by 3M and wire grid polarizers (product name WGF) manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation can be suitably used.

[0213] [Virtual reality display device] A first aspect of the virtual reality display device, which is an example of the display device of the present invention, is a virtual reality display device having, in this order, an image display panel, a first absorptive linear polarizer (optically absorptive anisotropic film), a first retardation layer, a second retardation layer, a reflective linear polarizer, a third retardation layer, a half mirror, and a second absorptive linear polarizer (optically absorptive anisotropic film). A second aspect is a virtual reality display device having, in this order, an image display panel, a first absorptive linear polarizer, a first retardation layer, a half mirror, a reflective circular polarizer, a second retardation layer, and a second absorptive linear polarizer. A third aspect is a virtual reality display device having, in this order, an image display panel, a first absorptive linear polarizer, a first retardation layer, a half mirror, a second retardation layer, a reflective linear polarizer, and a second absorptive linear polarizer. Furthermore, it is also preferable that a fourth retardation layer be provided on the viewing side of the second absorptive linear polarizer.

[0214] The virtual reality display device of the present invention can use a lens-shaped curved substrate as a base material (for example, a component between the second retardation layer 12 and the half mirror 40 in FIG. 1 ). In this case, the optically absorptive anisotropic film or laminate of the present invention can be processed into a three-dimensional curved surface and used. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing one embodiment of the virtual reality display device of the present invention. The virtual reality display device 100 of FIG. 1 has, from the viewing side, a second absorbing linear polarizer 22, a second retardation layer 12, a half mirror 40, an antireflection layer 50, a reflective circular polarizer 30, a positive C plate 60, a first retardation layer 11, a first absorbing linear polarizer 21, a third retardation layer 13, and an image display panel 70 arranged in this order.

[0215] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. The materials, amounts used, ratios, treatment details, treatment procedures, etc. shown in the following examples can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the examples shown below.

[0216] [Example 1-1] The surface of a cellulose acylate film (TAC substrate with a thickness of 60 μm; TG60, Fujifilm Corporation) was saponified with an alkaline solution, and the following composition for forming an alignment film P1 was applied thereon using a wire bar. The support on which the coating film was formed was dried with hot air at 60°C for 60 seconds and then with hot air at 100°C for 120 seconds to form an alignment film P1. Next, a rubbing treatment (roller rotation speed: 1000 rotations / spacer thickness 1.8 mm, stage speed 1.8 m / min) was performed once to obtain a film with an alignment film P1. The thickness of the alignment film P1 was 1 μm.

[0217] ------------------------------------------------------------------ (Alignment film forming composition P1) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Modified polyvinyl alcohol PVA-1 3.80 parts by mass IRGACURE 2959 0.20 parts by mass Water 70.00 parts by mass Methanol 30.00 parts by mass ------------------------------------------------------------------

[0218] Modified polyvinyl alcohol PVA-1

[0219] [Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Film] The following composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic film (liquid crystal composition) 1-1 was continuously applied onto the obtained alignment film P1 using a wire bar, heated at 140°C for 30 seconds, and then cooled to room temperature (23°C). Next, it was heated at 85°C for 40 seconds and cooled again to room temperature. Thereafter, an LED (light emitting diode) lamp (center wavelength 365 nm) was used to illuminate the liquid crystal composition at an illuminance of 200 mW / cm. ２ The alignment state of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance in the film was fixed by irradiating the film for 2 seconds under the irradiation conditions of 1.0 μm, and the optically absorptive anisotropic film 1-1 was laminated on the alignment film P1. The film thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic film 1-1 was 1.0 μm.

[0220] -------------------------------- Composition of composition 1-1 for forming optically absorptive anisotropic film------------------------------------------------ 51.900 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound L1 shown below 20.760 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound L5 shown below 0.727 parts by mass of dichroic substance Y1 shown below 4.671 parts by mass of dichroic substance M1 shown below 18.684 parts by mass of dichroic substance C1 shown below 3.010 parts by mass of polymerization initiator I1 (IRGACUREOXE-02, manufactured by BASF) 0.083 part by mass of polymer A1 (polymer 1) shown below 0.166 parts by mass of polymer B1 (polymer 2) shown below 190.000 parts by mass of tetrahydrofuran 1710.000 parts by mass of cyclopentanone ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0221]

[0222] The numerical values ​​in parentheses for each repeating unit indicate the content (% by mass) of each repeating unit relative to the total repeating units in each polymer. Furthermore, Mw is the weight-average molecular weight. Liquid crystal compound L1 is a high-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound, and liquid crystal compound L5 is a low-molecular-weight liquid crystal compound.

[0223] [Preparation of Barrier Layer] The following barrier composition was continuously applied to the optically absorptive anisotropic film 1-1 using a wire bar. The resulting coating was then dried at 80°C and irradiated for 2 seconds using an LED lamp (center wavelength 365 nm) at an illuminance of 200 mW / cm2 to obtain a laminate H1 having a barrier layer BA1. The thickness of the barrier layer was 1.0 μm.

[0224] Barrier layer-forming composition BA1 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 3.8 parts by mass of the above-mentioned modified polyvinyl alcohol PVA-1 0.20 parts by mass IRGACURE 2959 70.00 parts by mass Water 30.00 parts by mass Methanol ----------------------------------------------------------------

[0225] Examples 1-2 to 1-10, Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-2 Laminates of Examples 1-2 to 1-10 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-2 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the composition of the optically absorptive anisotropic film-forming composition (liquid crystal composition) 1-1 was changed to the composition shown in Table 1 below and the type of alignment film was changed to that shown in Table 1 below. The method for producing alignment film P2 is shown below.

[0226] [Alignment Film P2] The following alignment film-forming composition P2 was applied to a cellulose acylate film (TAC substrate with a thickness of 60 μm; TG60 manufactured by Fujifilm Corporation) using a wire bar. The cellulose acylate film on which the coating film was formed was dried for 120 seconds with hot air at 140°C to form an alignment film P2. The coating film was then irradiated with polarized ultraviolet light (10 mJ / cm2, using an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp) to obtain a film with a photo-alignment film. The thickness of the alignment film P1 was 1.5 μm. ------------------------------------------------------------------ (Composition P2 for forming alignment film) -------------------------------------------------- Polymer P2 below: 100.00 parts by mass Acid generator PAG-1 (manufactured by Sanshin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 12.00 parts by mass DIPEA (N,N-diisopropylethylamine) 0.6 parts by mass Methyl ethyl ketone 665.00 parts by mass Butyl acetate 166.00 parts by mass ------------------------------------------------------------------

[0227] Polymer P2

[0228]

[0229] Among the components indicated by symbols in Table 1, an overview of the components other than those already indicated is shown below. The numerical value in parentheses for each repeating unit indicates the content (% by mass) of each repeating unit relative to all repeating units contained in each polymer. Liquid crystal compounds L2 to L4 are high molecular weight liquid crystal compounds, and liquid crystal compounds L6 to L12 are low molecular weight liquid crystal compounds.

[0230]

[0231]

[0232]

[0233]

[0234]

[0235]

[0236] [Evaluation Test] [Surface Condition] Each laminate of the Examples and Comparative Examples was placed on a polarizing plate in a crossed Nicol position and observed, and each laminate was rotated in a horizontal plane to check the state of brightness. From the state of brightness, unevenness during application of the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic film was checked. The results are shown in Table 1 below. A: No unevenness observed visually overall B: Weak unevenness observed visually in parts C: Strong unevenness observed visually in parts D: Strong unevenness observed visually overall

[0237] [Orientation Degree] With a linear polarizer inserted on the light source side of an optical microscope (Nikon Corporation, product name "ECLIPSE E600 POL"), each laminate of the Examples and Comparative Examples was set on a sample stage, and the absorbance of the optically absorptive anisotropic film in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm was measured at 1 nm intervals using a multichannel spectrometer (Ocean Optics, product name "QE65000"), and the orientation degree in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm was calculated using the following formula. Based on the obtained orientation degree, the orientation degree was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1 below. Orientation Degree: S = ((Az0 / Ay0) - 1) / ((Az0 / Ay0) + 2) In the above formula, "Az0" represents the absorbance for polarized light in the absorption axis direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic film, and "Ay0" represents the absorbance for polarized light in the transmission axis direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic film. A: 0.95 or more B: 0.91 or more but less than 0.95 C: Less than 0.91 Note that, since none of the layer structures other than the optically absorptive anisotropic film contained in the laminate has absorption in the range of 400 to 700 nm, the degree of orientation calculated above can be interpreted as the value of the optically absorptive anisotropic film contained in the laminate.

[0238] [Transmittance Central Axis Angle θ] When the transmittance central axis angle θ was measured by the above-mentioned method using the laminates of the Examples and Comparative Examples, the transmittance central axis angle θ was in the range of 80 to 90° for all of the laminates of the Examples and Comparative Examples. Note that, since none of the layer structures other than the optically absorptive anisotropic film in the laminate exhibits absorption anisotropy, the transmittance central axis angle θ calculated above can be interpreted as the value for the optically absorptive anisotropic film in the laminate.

[0239]

[0240]

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

[0242] As shown in Table 1, it was shown that by using a liquid crystal composition containing polymer 1 and polymer 2 and having an X1 / X2 ratio of 1 or more, surface unevenness can be suppressed and an optically absorptive anisotropic film with an excellent degree of alignment can be obtained (Examples 1-1 to 1-9). A comparison of Examples 1-1 to 1-8 with Example 1-9 showed that surface unevenness can be further suppressed when A1 / A2 is 7.50 or less. A comparison of Examples 1-1 to 1-3, 1-5, 1-7 to 1-9 with Examples 1-4 and 1-6 showed that surface unevenness can be further suppressed when X1 / X2 is 1.370 or more. A comparison of Examples 1-1 to 1-5, 1-8, and 1-10 with Examples 1-6, 1-7, and 1-9 showed that the use of a polymer liquid crystal compound resulted in a more excellent degree of alignment. In contrast, when a liquid crystal composition containing only one type of polymer having a repeating unit A including a structure represented by formula (A) was used, it was shown that either the surface unevenness or the degree of orientation was inferior (Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-2).

[0243] Example 2-1 The alignment film P1 used in Example 1-1, but without rubbing treatment, was used as an alignment film P3.

[0244] [Preparation of Optically Absorbent Anisotropic Film 2-1] The following composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic film 11 was continuously applied onto the obtained alignment film P3 using a wire bar, heated at 140°C for 30 seconds, and then cooled to room temperature (23°C). Next, it was heated at 90°C for 60 seconds and cooled again to room temperature. Thereafter, an LED lamp (center wavelength 365 nm) was used to apply the composition to the alignment film P3, and the illuminance was 200 mW / cm. ２ The alignment state of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance in the film was fixed by irradiating the film for 2 seconds under the irradiation conditions of 1.0 μm, thereby forming an optically absorptive anisotropic film 2-1 on the alignment film P3. The film thickness of the optically absorptive anisotropic film 2-1 was 1.9 μm.

[0245] ------------------------------------------------ (Lightly absorptive anisotropic film-forming composition 2-1) -------------------------------------------------- 44.265 parts by mass of the liquid crystal compound L1 26.559 parts by mass of the liquid crystal compound L5 9.837 parts by mass of the dichroic material Y3 0.984 parts by mass of the dichroic material M3 1.967 parts by mass of the dichroic material C2 10.820 parts by mass of the dichroic material C3 0.118 parts by mass of polymer A8 (polymer 1) below 0.039 parts by mass of polymer B8 (polymer 2) below 1.476 parts by mass of vertical alignment agent G1 below 2.459 parts by mass of vertical alignment agent G2 below Polymerization initiator I1 (IRGACUREOXE-02, manufactured by BASF) 1.476 parts by mass Cyclopentanone (CPO) 669.231 parts by mass

[0246]

[0247] [Preparation of Barrier Layer] A barrier layer BA1 was formed on the optically absorptive anisotropic film 2-1 in the same manner as in Example 1-1, to obtain a laminate V1.

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

[0249] Among the components indicated by symbols in Table 2, an overview of the components other than those already indicated is shown below. The numerical value in parentheses for each repeating unit indicates the content (% by mass) of each repeating unit relative to the total repeating units contained in each polymer.

[0250]

[0251] [Evaluation Test] [Surface Condition] Each laminate of the Examples and Comparative Examples was placed on a polarizing plate in a crossed Nicol position and observed, and each laminate was rotated in a horizontal plane to check the state of brightness. From the state of brightness, unevenness during application of the composition for forming an optically absorptive anisotropic film was checked. The results are shown in Table 1 below. A: No unevenness observed visually overall B: Weak unevenness observed visually in parts C: Strong unevenness observed visually in parts D: Strong unevenness observed visually overall

[0252] [Orientation Degree] With a linear polarizer inserted on the light source side of an optical microscope (Nikon Corporation, product name "ECLIPSE E600 POL"), each laminate of the Examples and Comparative Examples was set on a sample stage, and the absorbance of the optically absorptive anisotropic film in the wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm was measured at 1 nm intervals using a multichannel spectrometer (Ocean Optics, product name "QE65000"), and the orientation degree in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm was calculated using the following formula. Based on the obtained orientation degree, the orientation degree was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1 below. Orientation Degree: S = ((Az0 / Ay0) - 1) / ((Az0 / Ay0) + 2) In the above formula, "Az0" represents the absorbance for polarized light in the absorption axis direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic film, and "Ay0" represents the absorbance for polarized light in the transmission axis direction of the optically absorptive anisotropic film. A: 0.95 or more B: 0.91 or more, less than 0.95 C: less than 0.91 Note that, since none of the layer structures other than the optically absorptive anisotropic film in the laminate has absorption in the range of 400 to 700 nm, the degree of orientation calculated above can be interpreted as the value of the optically absorptive anisotropic film in the laminate.

[0253] [Transmittance Central Axis Angle θ] When the transmittance central axis angle θ was measured by the above-mentioned method using the laminates of the Examples and Comparative Examples, the transmittance central axis angle θ for all of the laminates of the Examples and Comparative Examples was in the range of 0 to 10°. Note that, since none of the layer structures other than the optically absorptive anisotropic film in the laminate exhibits absorption anisotropy, the transmittance central axis angle θ calculated above can be interpreted as the value for the optically absorptive anisotropic film in the laminate.

[0254]

[0255]

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

[0257] As shown in Table 2, it was shown that by using a liquid crystal composition containing polymer 1 and polymer 2 and having an X1 / X2 ratio of 1 or more, surface unevenness can be suppressed and an optically absorptive anisotropic film with excellent alignment degree can be obtained (Examples 2-1 to 2-3). Comparison of Examples 2-1 and 2-2 with Example 2-3 showed that, when the objective is to obtain an optically absorptive anisotropic film exhibiting vertical alignment, surface unevenness can be further suppressed by having at least one of polymer 1 and polymer 2 contain a repeating unit E that satisfies the above-mentioned condition 2. In contrast, when a liquid crystal composition containing only one type of polymer having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by formula (A) was used, it was shown that at least one of surface unevenness and alignment degree was inferior (Comparative Examples 2-1 to 2-2).

[0258] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Virtual reality display device 11 First retardation layer 12 Second retardation layer 13 Third retardation layer 21 First absorbing linear polarizer 22 Second absorbing linear polarizer 30 Reflecting circular polarizer 40 Half mirror 50 Anti-reflection layer 60 Positive C plate 70 Image display panel

Claims

1. A liquid crystal composition comprising a liquid crystal compound, a dichroic substance, a polymer 1 having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by the following formula (A), and a polymer 2 having a repeating unit A containing a structure represented by the following formula (A) and different from the polymer 1, wherein when the content of silicon atoms contained in the polymer 1 is X1 parts by mass and the content of silicon atoms contained in the polymer 2 is X2 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total solid content mass of the liquid crystal composition, the ratio represented by X1 / X2 is 1 or more. In the formula (A), R Ａ１ and R Ａ２ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. R Ａ３ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituent. X represents a substituent containing one or more structures represented by the following formula (a). In the formula (a), * represents a bonding position. R ａ１ , R ａ２ and R ａ３ each independently represent an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or an alkylene aryl group which may have a substituent.

2. When the content of the repeating unit A contained in the polymer 1 is A1% by mass with respect to all the repeating units of the polymer 1, and the content of the repeating unit A contained in the polymer 2 is A2% by mass with respect to all the repeating units of the polymer 2, the liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the ratio represented by A1 / A2 is greater than 1.

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

50.

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

5. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2 or 3, wherein A1 is 30.0 to 90.0% by mass and A2 is 5.0 to 65.0% by mass.

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

32.

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

34.

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

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

10. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 has a repeating unit B represented by the following formula (B). In formula (B), R Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an aryl group. R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ When they are substituents, R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ may be linked to form a ring.

11. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 has a repeating unit D represented by the following formula (D). In formula (D), R Ｄ１ , R Ｄ２ and R Ｄ３ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or an aryl group. L Ｄ１ represents a single bond, -COO- or -CO-. Sp Ｄ１ represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. However, among -CH ２ - constituting a part of the hydrocarbon group, one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ２ - may each independently be substituted with -O-, -S-, -NH- or -N(Q)-, and Q represents a substituent. L Ｄ２ and L Ｄ３ each independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Cy Ｄ represents a divalent linking group containing a mesogen group. D represents a hydrogen bonding group composed of a hydrogen atom and a non-metal atom of Groups 14 to 16. However, the non-metal atom may have a substituent. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, the plurality of L Ｄ２ may be the same or different from each other, and the plurality of Cy Ｄ may be the same or different from each other.

12. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 has both a repeating unit B represented by the following formula (B) and a repeating unit D represented by the following formula (D). In formula (B), R Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ and R Ｂ３ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an aryl group. R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. When R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ are substituents, R Ｂ４ and R Ｂ５ may be linked to form a ring. In formula (D), R Ｄ１ , R Ｄ２ and R Ｄ３ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an aryl group. L Ｄ１ represents a single bond, -COO- or -CO-. Sp Ｄ１ represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. However, among -CH ２ - constituting a part of the hydrocarbon group, one or two or more non-adjacent -CH ２ - may each independently be substituted with -O-, -S-, -NH- or -N(Q)-, and Q represents a substituent. L Ｄ２ and L Ｄ３ each independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Cy Ｄ represents a divalent linking group containing a mesogenic group. D represents a hydrogen-bonding group composed of a hydrogen atom and a non-metal atom of Groups 14 to 16. However, the non-metal atom may have a substituent. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. When n is 2 or 3, a plurality of L Ｄ２ may be the same or different from each other, and a plurality of Cy Ｄ may be the same or different from each other.

13. At least one of the polymer 1 and the polymer 2 has a repeating unit E that does not contain a fluorine atom and a polymerizable group, and the repeating unit E satisfies the following condition 1 or the following condition 2. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1 or 2. Condition 1: The repeating unit E has a polar group at the end of the side chain. Condition 2: The repeating unit E is represented by the following formula (E1) or (E2). In formula (E-1), R Ｅ２ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. L Ｅ１ represents a single bond, or a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CONR Ｌ１ -, -NR Ｌ１ COO-, -CR Ｌ１ N-, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group, and a combination thereof. R Ｌ１ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Ring E represents a ring structure having a cationized nitrogen atom. X represents an anion. L ２ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. In formula (E-2), R Ｅ３ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. L Ｅ３ represents a single bond, or a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of -O-, -S-, -COO-, -OCO-, -CONR Ｌ１ -, -NR Ｌ１ COO-, -CR Ｌ１ N-, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic group, a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group, and a combination thereof. R Ｌ１ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. R Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group, and R Ｅ４ and R Ｅ５ may be linked to each other via a linking group consisting of an alkylene linking group, an arylene linking group, or a combination thereof.

14. A light absorption anisotropic film obtained by using the liquid crystal composition according to claim 1.

15. The light absorption anisotropic film according to claim 14, wherein the alignment states of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance contained in the light absorption anisotropic film are fixed, and the angle θ formed between the transmission rate central axis of the light absorption anisotropic film and the normal direction of the surface of the light absorption anisotropic film is more than 45° and 90° or less.

16. The light absorption anisotropic film according to claim 14, wherein the alignment states of the liquid crystal compound and the dichroic substance contained in the light absorption anisotropic film are fixed, and the angle θ formed between the transmission rate central axis of the light absorption anisotropic film and the normal direction of the surface of the light absorption anisotropic film is 0° or more and 45° or less.

17. A laminate having the light absorption anisotropic film according to claim 14 and a λ / 4 plate.

18. An image display device having the light absorption anisotropic film according to claim 14 and a display element.

Images