Film, polarizing plate, image display device, virtual reality display device, and method for producing film

Abstract

The first problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a film which is formed using a liquid crystal composition that contains a leveling agent having a silicon atom, and which is excellent in terms of adhesion to an adjacent layer and is not susceptible to the occurrence of ghost images if applied to a virtual reality display device. The second problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a polarizing plate, an image display device, and a virtual reality display device, each of which pertains to the film. The third problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a method for producing a film using a liquid crystal composition that contains a leveling agent having a silicon atom, the film being excellent in terms of adhesion to an adjacent layer and being not susceptible to the occurrence of ghost images if applied to a virtual reality display device.　A film according to the present invention is formed using a liquid crystal composition that contains a liquid crystal compound and a leveling agent containing a silicon atom. The water contact angle of the film surface is 35° or less, and the root mean square roughness of the film surface is 4.0 nm or less.

Description

Film, polarizing plate, image display device, virtual reality display device, and film manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a film, a polarizing plate, an image display device, a virtual reality display device, and a method for manufacturing the film.

[0002] Optical films such as optical compensation sheets and retardation films are used in various image display devices to eliminate image coloration or widen the viewing angle. Stretched birefringent films have been used as optical films, but in recent years, it has been proposed to use optical films having an optically anisotropic layer made of a liquid crystal compound instead of stretched birefringent films.

[0003] An optically anisotropic layer made of a liquid crystal compound is often formed by applying a liquid crystal composition containing the liquid crystal compound to form a coating film, and then performing an alignment treatment on the coating film. A leveling agent may be added to the liquid crystal composition to improve the surface properties on the air interface side when the coating film is formed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid crystal composition to which a fluorine-based leveling agent containing a fluorine atom has been added.

[0004] International Publication No. 2019 / 160044

[0005] Recently, restrictions on PFAS (perfluoroalkyl compounds and polyfluoroalkyl compounds) have been implemented due to their persistence and toxicity, and the use of fluorine-free alternatives, typically silicon-containing alternatives, has been investigated. The inventors have investigated liquid crystal compositions using leveling agents containing silicon atoms and found that the adhesion between a film formed using the liquid crystal composition and a layer adjacent to the film (e.g., an adhesive layer) does not meet the desired level and needs improvement. Furthermore, it is desirable for the film to have properties that are less likely to cause ghosting when applied to display devices requiring optical uniformity (e.g., virtual reality display devices).

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a film formed using a liquid crystal composition containing a leveling agent having silicon atoms, which has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers and is less likely to cause ghosting when applied to a virtual reality display device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing plate, an image display device, and a virtual reality display device related to the film. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a film using a liquid crystal composition containing a leveling agent having silicon atoms, which has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers and is less likely to cause ghosting when applied to a virtual reality display device.

[0007] As a result of extensive research into solving the above problems, the present inventors have found that the problems can be solved by the following configuration.

[0008] [1] A film formed using a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound and a leveling agent containing a silicon atom, wherein the water contact angle of the film surface is 35° or less, and the root mean square roughness of the film surface is 4.0 nm or less. [2] The film according to [1], wherein the leveling agent has a group represented by formula (IIa) described below. [3] The film according to [2], wherein the leveling agent has a repeating unit represented by formula (a2) described below. [4] The film according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the root mean square roughness of the film surface is 3.0 nm or less. [5] A polarizing plate comprising a polarizer, an adhesive layer, and the film according to any one of [1] to [4]. [6] An image display device comprising the polarizing plate according to [5]. [7] The image display device according to [6], which is an organic electroluminescence display device. [8] The image display device according to [6], which is a liquid crystal display device. [9] A virtual reality display device comprising the polarizing plate according to [5].

[10] A method for producing a film, comprising: Step 1 of forming a coating film using a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound and a leveling agent containing a silicon atom; and Step 2 of subjecting the surface of the coating film obtained in Step 1 to a plasma treatment.

[11] The method for producing a film according to

[10] , wherein Step 2 is a step of subjecting the surface of the coating film to a plasma treatment while conveying the coating film using a plasma generating device that is supplied with power to generate plasma between an electrode and a counter electrode, the power being 100 to 8000 W, and the conveying speed of the coating film being 1.0 to 100 m / min.

[12] The method for producing a film according to

[10] or

[11] , wherein the plasma raw material gas in the plasma treatment is a mixed gas containing at least one reactive gas selected from oxygen gas and nitrogen gas and a rare gas, the content of the reactive gas being 0.1 to 10.0% by volume relative to the total volume of the mixed gas, and the content of the rare gas being 50.0% by volume or more relative to the total volume of the mixed gas.

[13] The method for producing a film according to any of

[10] to

[12] , wherein the leveling agent has a group represented by formula (IIa) described below.

[14] The method for producing a film according to any one of

[10] to

[13] , wherein the leveling agent has a repeating unit represented by formula (a2) described below.

[0009] According to the present invention, a film formed using a liquid crystal composition containing a leveling agent having silicon atoms can be provided, which has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers and is less likely to cause ghosting when applied to a virtual reality display device. The present invention also provides a polarizing plate, an image display device, and a virtual reality display device related to the film. The present invention also provides a method for producing a film using a liquid crystal composition containing a leveling agent having silicon atoms, which has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers and is less likely to cause ghosting when applied to a virtual reality display device.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a laminate including a film of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a polarizing plate including a film of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual reality display device of the present invention.

[0011] The present invention will be described in detail below. The following description of the components may be based on representative embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments.

[0012] In this specification, a numerical range expressed using "to" means a range that includes the numerical values ​​written before and after "to" as the lower and upper limits. Furthermore, in this specification, when two or more types of a certain component are present, the "content" of that component means the total content of those two or more components. In this specification, in a numerical range described in stages, the upper or lower limit value described in a certain numerical range may be replaced with the upper or lower limit value of another numerical range described in stages. Furthermore, in a numerical range described in this specification, the upper or lower limit value described in a certain numerical range may be replaced with a value shown in the Examples. In this specification, a combination of two or more preferred embodiments is a more preferred embodiment.

[0013] In this specification, the bonding direction of a divalent group (for example, -CO-O-) is not limited unless otherwise specified. For example, when Y is -CO-O- in a compound represented by the formula "X-Y-Z," the compound may be "X-O-CO-Z" or "X-CO-O-Z." In this specification, "(meth)acrylic" is a concept that includes both acrylic and methacrylic, "(meth)acryloyl" is a concept that includes both acryloyl and methacryloyl, "(meth)acrylate" is a concept that includes both acrylate and methacrylate, and "(meth)acrylonitrile" is a concept that includes both acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile.

[0014] In this specification, the slow axis is defined at 550 nm unless otherwise specified.

[0015] In this specification, Re(λ) and Rth(λ) represent the in-plane retardation and the thickness direction retardation, respectively, at a wavelength λ. Unless otherwise specified, the wavelength λ is 550 nm. In this specification, Re(λ) and Rth(λ) are values ​​measured at a wavelength λ using an AxoScan OPMF-1 (manufactured by Optoscience). 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 (°) is calculated: Re(λ) = R0(λ) Rth(λ) = ((nx + ny) / 2 - nz) × d. Although R0(λ) is displayed as a numerical value calculated by the AxoScan OPMF-1, it means Re(λ).

[0016] In this specification, the angular relationship (e.g., "perpendicular," "parallel," etc.) is intended to include the range of error acceptable in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Specifically, this means that the angle is within a range of less than ±10° from the exact angle, and the error from the exact angle is preferably within a range of ±5° or less, and more preferably within a range of ±3° or less.

[0017] In this specification, the term "solid content" refers to components that form a film and does not include solvents. Any component that forms a film is considered to be a solid content even if it is in a liquid state.

[0018] [Film] The film of the present invention is described in detail below. The film of the present invention is a film formed using a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound and a leveling agent containing a silicon atom, and has a water contact angle of 35° or less on the film surface and a root mean square roughness (RMS) of 4.0 nm or less on the film surface.

[0019] While the reason why a film having the above-described configuration can solve the problems of the present invention is not entirely clear, the inventors speculate as follows. The following speculation does not limit the mechanism by which the effect is obtained. In other words, even if the effect is obtained by a mechanism other than the one described below, it is still within the scope of the present invention. It is speculated that the film of the present invention has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers because the water contact angle of the film surface is 35° or less. It is also speculated that the root mean square roughness (RMS) of the film surface is 4.0 nm or less, which suppresses ghosting when applied to a virtual reality display device. A film having the above configuration is easily formed, for example, by subjecting the surface of a coating film obtained using a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound and a leveling agent containing a silicon atom to plasma treatment. Hereinafter, the fact that the film of the present invention has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers and / or is less likely to generate ghosting when applied to a virtual reality display device is also simply referred to as "excellent effects of the present invention."

[0020] The liquid crystal composition used to form the film of the present invention, the method for producing the film, and the properties of the film will be described below in this order.

[0021] [Liquid Crystal Composition] The liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystal compound and a leveling agent containing a silicon atom (hereinafter also referred to as a "specific leveling agent").

[0022] <Liquid Crystal Compound> The liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition is not particularly limited. Generally, liquid crystal compounds can be classified into rod-shaped and discotic types based on their shape. Each type is further divided into low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight types. High-molecular-weight compounds generally refer to those with a degree of polymerization of 100 or more (Polymer Physics / Phase Transition Dynamics, by Masao Doi, page 2, Iwanami Shoten, 1992). In the present invention, any liquid crystal compound can be used, but rod-shaped or discotic liquid crystal compounds (discotic liquid crystal compounds) are preferably used. Two or more rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds, two or more discotic liquid crystal compounds, or a mixture of a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound and a discotic liquid crystal compound may also be used.

[0023] The liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition may be either a low molecular weight liquid crystal compound or a polymer liquid crystal compound, or a mixture thereof. From the viewpoint of alignment, the liquid crystal compound is preferably a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. A polymerizable liquid crystal compound is a liquid crystal compound having a polymerizable group, and the alignment state can be fixed by polymerization after alignment. Furthermore, the alignment state of a polymer liquid crystal compound can be fixed by removing the solvent from the liquid crystal composition and drying it after alignment.

[0024] The polymerizable liquid crystal compound is preferably at least one polymerizable liquid crystal compound selected from the group consisting of polymerizable rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds and polymerizable discotic liquid crystal compounds. The polymerizable group of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is not particularly limited, but is preferably a polymerizable group capable of radical polymerization or cationic polymerization. Examples of the polymerizable group include an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, an epoxy group, and a vinyl group.

[0025] As the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound, those described in claim 1 of JP-A-11-513019 or paragraphs

[0026] to

[0098] of JP-A-2005-289980 are preferred, and as the discotic liquid crystal compound, those described in paragraphs

[0020] to

[0067] of JP-A-2007-108732 or paragraphs

[0013] to

[0108] of JP-A-2010-244038 are preferred.

[0026] The liquid crystal compound may be a liquid crystal compound having reverse wavelength dispersion (reverse dispersion compound). In this specification, the term "reverse wavelength dispersion" refers to a liquid crystal compound that, when the in-plane retardation (Re) value of a film produced using the compound is measured at a specific wavelength (visible light range), exhibits a constant or higher Re value as the measured wavelength increases. The liquid crystal compound of reverse wavelength dispersion is not particularly limited as long as it can form a layer of reverse wavelength dispersion, for example, the general formula (I) described in JP-A-2008-297210 compounds (particularly, the compounds described in paragraphs

[0034] to

[0039] ), the general formula (1) described in JP-A-2010-084032 compounds (particularly, the compounds described in paragraphs

[0067] to

[0073] ), the general formula (1) described in JP-A-2016-081035 compounds (particularly, the compounds described in paragraphs

[0043] to

[0055] ), and the general formula (II) described in JP-A-2016-053709 compounds (particularly, the compounds described in paragraphs

[0036] to

[0043] ). Further, paragraphs

[0027] to

[0100] of JP 2011-006360 A, paragraphs

[0028] to

[0125] of JP 2011-006361 A, paragraphs

[0034] to

[0298] of JP 2012-207765 A, paragraphs

[0016] to

[0345] of JP 2012-077055 A, Examples include the compounds described in paragraphs

[0017] to

[0072] of WO 2 / 141245, paragraphs

[0021] to

[0088] of WO 12 / 147904, paragraphs

[0028] to

[0115] of WO 14 / 147904, and paragraphs

[0025] to

[0056] of WO 2021 / 060427.

[0027] The liquid crystal compound may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the liquid crystal compound is preferably 50 to 99.99 mass %, more preferably 70 to 99 mass %, based on the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition.

[0028] <Leveling Agent Containing Silicon Atom> The liquid crystal composition contains a leveling agent containing a silicon atom (specific leveling agent). The specific leveling agent is not limited as long as it contains a silicon atom, but it preferably has a group represented by formula (Ia) described below, and more preferably has a group represented by formula (IIa) described below. Furthermore, the specific leveling agent is preferably a polymer having a repeating unit containing a silicon atom (repeating unit A). As described later, the repeating unit A is preferably a repeating unit having a group represented by formula (Ia) described below, and more preferably a repeating unit having a group represented by formula (IIa) described below.

[0029] (Repeating Unit A) The repeating unit A is a repeating unit containing a silicon atom. The number of silicon atoms contained in the repeating unit A is 1 or more, preferably 3 or more, more preferably 3 to 6, and even more preferably 3 to 5.

[0030] The repeating unit A preferably contains a group represented by the following formula (Ia).

[0031]

[0032] In formula (Ia), * represents the bonding position. Ａ each independently represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, which may have a substituent. The substituent is preferably a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an alkyloxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or an alkoxy group.

[0033] 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, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, and cyclohexyl groups. Examples of the alkenyl group include alkenyl groups having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Examples of the aryl group include aryl groups having 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Examples of the aralkyl group include aralkyl groups having 7 to 30 carbon atoms. RＡ Among these, alkyl groups are preferred in terms of superior leveling properties, and linear alkyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms) are more preferred. Ａ may be the same or different from each other.

[0034] In terms of achieving better effects of the present invention, the repeating unit A preferably contains two or more groups represented by formula (Ia), more preferably contains 3 to 6 groups, and even more preferably contains 3 to 5 groups.

[0035] The repeating unit A is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (a1), in that it has better leveling properties and compatibility with the liquid crystal compound.

[0036]

[0037] In formula (a1), m represents an integer of 2 or greater. m is preferably an integer of 3 or greater, more preferably an integer of 3 to 6, and even more preferably an integer of 3 to 5.

[0038] R in formula (a1) Ａ represents R in formula (Ia). Ａ The meaning and preferred embodiments are also the same. Ａ may be the same or different from each other.

[0039] In formula (a1), R １ and R ２ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. 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 a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, an isopropyl group, a tert-butyl group, and a cyclohexyl group. １ and R ２ is preferably a hydrogen atom.

[0040] In formula (a1), R ３represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Examples of the substituent include an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or a substituent having a linking group and a group containing a silicon atom. Examples of the substituent having a linking group and a group containing a silicon atom include -CH ２ -CO-L １ -L ２ -(Si(R Ａ ) ３ ) ｍ Also included. １ , L ２ , R Ａ , and m each represent L in formula (a1). １ , L ２ , R Ａ R has the same meaning as m and m, and the preferred embodiments are also the same. ３ is preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom or a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, still more preferably a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group, and particularly preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

[0041] In formula (a1), L １ is —O— or —NR Ｚ - represents. Ｚ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｚ Examples of the substituent represented by the formula: ３ Examples of the substituent represented by the formula (I) include the groups exemplified above, and an alkyl group is preferred, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferred, and a methyl group or an ethyl group is even more preferred. １ As the group, —O— or —NH— is preferable, and —O— is more preferable.

[0042] In formula (a1), L ２represents an (m+1)-valent linking group. Suitable examples of the (m+1)-valent linking group include an (m+1)-valent hydrocarbon group 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. The substituent which 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 the heteroatom which may substitute some of the carbon atoms include a silicon atom, an oxygen atom, and a nitrogen atom. L ２ Examples of the group include a group represented by the following structural formula K-1-L, a group represented by the structural formula K-2-L, a group represented by the structural formula K-3-L, and a group represented by the structural formula K-4-L. In the structural formulas below, * represents L in formula (a1). １ ** represents the bonding position of —Si(R Ａ ) ３ In addition, R in the following structural formula represents the bonding position with the group represented by Ｂ represents R in formula (Ia). Ａ is synonymous with

[0043]

[0044] The repeating unit A preferably contains a group represented by the following formula (IIa) in that the effects of the present invention are more excellent.

[0045]

[0046] In formula (IIa), * represents a bonding position. Ｂ and R Ｃ are R in formula (Ia), respectively. Ａ The meaning and preferred embodiments are also the same. Ｃ may be the same or different from each other.

[0047] n represents 2 or 3. n is preferably 3 in that the effects of the present invention are more excellent.

[0048] The repeating unit represented by the above formula (a1) is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (a2): The repeating unit represented by the following formula (a2) corresponds to a repeating unit containing a group represented by the above formula (IIa).

[0049]

[0050] R in formula (a2) １ , R ２ , R ３ , and L １ are R in formula (a1), respectively. １ , R ２ , R ３ , and L １ The meaning and preferred embodiments are also the same as those of the formula (a2). Ｂ , R Ｃ , and n are each R in formula (IIa). Ｂ , R Ｃ , and n have the same meanings and preferred embodiments. Ｃ may be the same or different from each other.

[0051] In formula (a2), L ２１ represents a divalent linking group. ２１ Suitable examples of the divalent linking group represented by the formula (I) include divalent 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. The substituents which the hydrocarbon group may have are preferably alkyl groups, more preferably linear alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and even more preferably methyl or ethyl groups. Examples of the heteroatoms which may substitute some of the carbon atoms include silicon atoms, oxygen atoms, and nitrogen atoms. L ２１ Specific examples of the divalent linking group represented by the formula (I) are preferably linear or branched alkylene groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably linear alkylene groups having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and even more preferably linear alkylene groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0052] Specific examples of the repeating unit A include repeating units derived from the monomers represented by the following K-1 to K-33, where nBu represents an n-butyl group.

[0053]

[0054]

[0055] The repeating unit A may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the repeating unit A is preferably 20% by mass or more, more preferably 30% by mass or more, and even more preferably 40% by mass or more, based on all repeating units (100% by mass) constituting the main chain of the specific leveling agent. The upper limit of the content of the repeating unit A may be 100% by mass, based on all repeating units (100% by mass) constituting the main chain of the specific leveling agent, but is preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, and even more preferably 60% by mass or less.

[0056] The specific leveling agent may have a repeating unit other than the repeating unit A. From the viewpoint of controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal compound as described above, the specific leveling agent also preferably has a repeating unit containing a mesogenic group (repeating unit B). In terms of better adhesion to adjacent layers, the specific leveling agent also preferably has a repeating unit containing a polymerizable group (repeating unit C). The specific leveling agent preferably contains the repeating unit A and at least one repeating unit selected from the repeating unit B and the repeating unit C, and more preferably contains the repeating unit A, the repeating unit B, and the repeating unit C. The specific leveling agent may have a repeating unit represented by the following formula (d1) (repeating unit D) for the reason that compatibility with the liquid crystal compound is good.

[0057] (Repeating Unit B) The repeating unit B is a repeating unit containing a mesogen group. Known mesogen groups can be used as the mesogen group. For example, see "Flussige Kristalle in Tabellen II" (VEB Deutsche Verlag fur Grundstoff Industrie, Leipzig, published in 1984), particularly pages 7 to 16, and "Liquid Crystal Handbook" edited by the Liquid Crystal Handbook Editorial Committee (Maruzen, published in 2000), particularly Chapter 3. The mesogen group is preferably a group having at least one cyclic structure selected from the group consisting of an aromatic hydrocarbon group, a heterocyclic group, and an alicyclic group. The mesogen group is preferably a group having an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an alicyclic group, which may have a substituent, in order to improve the degree of alignment of the liquid crystal compound. A group having two to four aromatic hydrocarbon groups, which may have a substituent, is more preferred, and a group having three aromatic hydrocarbon groups, which may have a substituent, is even more preferred. The substituent is preferably an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkyl ester group, or an acetyl group, and more preferably a methyl group, a tert-butyl group, a methoxy group, or a methyl ester group.

[0058] The mesogenic group is preferably a group represented by the following formula (M1-A): １１ -L １１ ) ｎ -Cy １２ - * (M1-A)

[0059] In formula (M1-A), * represents a bonding position.

[0060] In formula (M1-A), n represents an integer of 1 or more, preferably an integer of 1 to 10, more preferably an integer of 1 to 3, and even more preferably 2.

[0061] In formula (M1-A), Cy １１ and Cy １２each independently represents a divalent cyclic group which may have a substituent. The divalent cyclic group may be either a monocyclic or polycyclic group, and is preferably a monocyclic group. The number of ring members in the divalent cyclic group is preferably 5 to 18, more preferably 5 to 10, and even more preferably 5 or 6.

[0062] Examples of the divalent ring group include a divalent aromatic ring group and a divalent alicyclic group. Examples of the divalent aromatic ring group include a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon ring group obtained by removing two hydrogen atoms from an aromatic hydrocarbon ring, and a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group obtained by removing two hydrogen atoms from an aromatic heterocyclic ring. Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon ring include a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, an anthracene ring, and a phenanthroline ring. Examples of the aromatic heterocyclic ring include a pyridine ring, a pyridazine ring, an imidazole ring, a thiophene ring, a quinoline ring, an isoquinolylene ring, an oxazole ring, a thiazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a benzothiazole ring, a benzothiadiazole ring, a phthalimide ring, a thienothiazole ring, a thiazolothiazole ring, a thienothiophene ring, and a thienoxazole ring. Among these, a group obtained by removing two hydrogen atoms from a benzene ring (e.g., a 1,4-phenylene group) is preferred. Examples of the divalent alicyclic group include a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon ring group obtained by removing two hydrogen atoms from an aliphatic hydrocarbon ring (e.g., a cycloalkane or a cycloalkene), and a divalent aliphatic heterocyclic group obtained by removing two hydrogen atoms from an aliphatic heterocyclic ring. Examples of the aliphatic hydrocarbon ring include a cyclopentane ring, a cyclohexane ring, a cycloheptane ring, a cyclooctane ring, a cyclononane ring, a cyclododecane ring, and a cyclodocosane ring. Examples of the aliphatic heterocyclic group include a pyrrolidine ring, an oxolane ring, a thiolane ring, a piperidine ring, a tetrahydropyran ring, a thiane ring, a piperazine ring, and a morpholine ring. Of these, a group obtained by removing a divalent hydrogen atom from a cyclohexane ring (e.g., a 1,4-cyclohexylene group) is preferred. Examples of the divalent ring group include a divalent aromatic ring group or a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon ring group, and a divalent aromatic ring group is more preferred.

[0063] Examples of the substituent that the divalent cyclic group may have include an alkyl ester group, an alkyl group which may have a halogen atom, an acyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkylthio group, an alkyloxycarbonyl group, a carbamoyl group, an acylamino group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, and a nitro group. An alkyl ester group, an alkyl group, or an acyl group is preferred, a methyl ester group, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an acetyl group is more preferred, and a methyl ester group, a methyl group, or an ethyl group is even more preferred.

[0064] In formula (M1-A), L １１ Each of the groups independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Examples of the divalent linking group include —CO—, —O—, —S—, —C(═S)—, and —CR Ｌ１ R Ｌ２ -, -CR Ｌ３ =CR Ｌ４ - and -NR Ｌ５ -, and combinations of two or more thereof. Ｌ１ ~R Ｌ５ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｌ１ ~R Ｌ５ The substituent represented by is preferably a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. １１ Examples thereof include —CO—, —O—, and —CR Ｌ１ R Ｌ２ -, -NR Ｌ５ - or a combination of the two is preferred.

[0065] n is an integer of 2 or more, and Cy １１ represents a phenylene group, in order to improve the alignment property when the liquid crystal compound is to be horizontally aligned, two or more Cy １１ Preferably, any one of the above is a meta-position linkage or an ortho-position linkage, and among these, from the viewpoint of improving alignment and repelling, a meta-position linkage is preferred. On the other hand, when a liquid crystal compound is to be vertically aligned, two or more Cy １１ Preferably, any one of the above is a para-linkage.

[0066] The repeating unit B is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (b1) or a repeating unit represented by the following formula (b2), and more preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (b1), in terms of improving compatibility with the liquid crystal compound and providing more excellent leveling properties.

[0067]

[0068] R in formulas (b1) and (b2) ２１ , R ２２ , R ２３ , and L １ are R in the above formula (a1), respectively. １ , R ２ , R ３ , and L １ The meaning and preferred embodiments are also the same as those of the formula (b2). ２４ and R ２５ are R in the above formula (a1), respectively. １ and R ２ The meaning and preferred embodiments are also the same as those of the formula (b2). ２６ is R in the above formula (a1). ３ The definition and preferred embodiments are also the same. ２ is L in the above formula (a1). １ The same definition and preferred embodiments are also the same.

[0069] In formulas (b1) and (b2), SP １ and SP ２ each independently represents a spacer group. The spacer group is not particularly limited as long as it is a divalent linking group that does not contain a ring structure, and examples thereof include divalent chain aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. The divalent chain aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Specific examples thereof 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. The —CH group constituting the divalent chain aliphatic hydrocarbon group is ２One or more of - may be each independently substituted with a group selected from -O-, -S-, -CO-, and -N(Q)-. ２ - may be substituted. Q represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. The substituent represented by Q 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. Among others, the spacer group is preferably *-(CH ２ -CH ２ -O) ｎ１ -*, *-(CH ２ ) ｎ２ -O-*, or *-(CH ２ ) ｎ２ -O-CO-* is preferred. * represents the bonding position. n1 represents an integer of 1 to 4. Each n2 independently represents an integer of 1 to 6, preferably an integer of 2 to 4.

[0070] In formula (b1) and formula (b2), M １ represents a mesogenic group. Details of the mesogenic group are as described above.

[0071] In formula (b2), T １ represents a terminal group. The terminal group represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Examples of the substituent include a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, a hydroxy group, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (ROC(O)-: R is an alkyl group), an acyloxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an acylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a sulfonylamino group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a sulfamoyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a carbamoyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a sulfinyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a trialkylsilyloxy group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, and a ureido group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

[0072] Specific examples of the repeating unit B include repeating units derived from the monomers represented by Q-1 to Q-32 below.

[0073]

[0074]

[0075] The repeating unit B may be used singly or in combination of two or more types. The content of the repeating unit B is preferably 5 to 60 mass %, more preferably 10 to 50 mass %, and even more preferably 15 to 45 mass %, based on the total repeating units (100 mass %) constituting the main chain of the specific leveling agent.

[0076] (Repeating Unit C) The repeating unit C is a repeating unit containing a reactive group. Examples of the reactive group include a radically polymerizable group or a cationically polymerizable group, with a radically polymerizable group being preferred. Examples of the reactive group include a functional group capable of forming a covalent complex with a hydroxyl group. As the radically polymerizable group, known radically polymerizable groups can be used, such as a vinyl group, an allyl group, a vinyloxy group, a maleimide group, an allyloxy group, a (meth)acryloyl group, a (meth)acryloyloxy group, and a (meth)acrylamide group. Of these, a (meth)acryloyl group or a (meth)acryloyloxy group is preferred. As the cationically polymerizable group, known cationically polymerizable groups can be used, such as an alicyclic ether group, a cyclic acetal group, a cyclic lactone group, a cyclic thioether group, a spiro orthoester group, and a vinyloxy group. Of these, an alicyclic ether group or a vinyloxy group is preferred, with an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, or a vinyloxy group being more preferred. The functional group capable of forming a covalent complex with a hydroxyl group is a boronic acid group (-B(OH) ２ ) and a boronic ester group (—B(OR Ｂ１ ) ２ ) group is preferred. Ｂ１R each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a heteroaryl group which may have a substituent, and a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a substituent is preferred. The alkyl group preferably has 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 5 carbon atoms. The aryl group preferably has 4 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms. An example of an aryl group is a phenyl group. The heteroaryl group preferably has 3 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 5 carbon atoms. Examples of heteroatoms contained in the heteroaryl group include an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, and a sulfur atom. Ｂ１ R may be bonded to each other to form a ring. Ｂ１ The number of members in the ring formed by bonding together is preferably 4 to 8, and more preferably 5 to 6.

[0077] The number of reactive groups contained in the repeating unit C is 1 or more, preferably 1 to 3, and more preferably 1 or 2.

[0078] The repeating unit C is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (c1) in that it has better compatibility with the liquid crystal compound.

[0079]

[0080] R in formula (c1) ２１ , R ２２ , R ２３ , and L １ are R in the above formula (a1), respectively. １ , R ２ , R ３ , and L １ The same definition and preferred embodiments are also the same.

[0081] In formula (c1), L ３ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Examples of the divalent linking group include divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent. The aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. The -CH constituting the divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group ２One or more of the - may be each independently substituted with a group selected from -O-, -S-, -CO-, and -N(Q)-. ２ - may be substituted. The definition and preferred embodiments of Q are as described above. That is, Q represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. The substituent represented by Q 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. L ３ Among them, alkylene groups having 2 to 8 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or *-(L ３１ -O) ｎ３ - * is preferred. * represents the bonding position. n3 represents an integer of 1 to 8. L ３１ each independently represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, and preferably an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms which may have a substituent. ３ The divalent linking group represented by the formula (I) may be a group containing a mesogen group. Examples of the group containing a mesogen group include *-SP １ -M １ - * is preferred. * indicates the bonding position. SP １ and M １ is the same as that explained in the above formula (b1). When a repeating unit contains both a reactive group and a mesogenic group, this repeating unit corresponds to repeating unit C.

[0082] Examples of the substituent that the divalent linking group may have include a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an amino group, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, an aryl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an alkylcarbonyl group, and a sulfonyl group.

[0083] In formula (c1), P １ represents a reactive group. The definition and preferred embodiments of the reactive group are as described above.

[0084] Specific examples of repeating unit C include the repeating units shown below: In the repeating units shown below, n represents an integer of 1 or more (typically an integer of 1 to 6).

[0085]

[0086]

[0087] Examples of repeating units containing a boronic acid group or a boronic ester group as a reactive group include the repeating units described in paragraphs 0036 to 0045 of WO 2018 / 062068.

[0088] The repeating unit C may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the repeating unit C is preferably 1 to 50 mass %, more preferably 1 to 25 mass %, based on all repeating units constituting the main chain of the specific leveling agent.

[0089] The total content of the repeating units A, B, and C is preferably 80% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more, based on all repeating units constituting the main chain of the specific leveling agent. There is no particular upper limit, and it may be 100% by mass.

[0090] (Repeating Unit D) The specific compound preferably has a repeating unit D represented by the following formula (d1), for reasons of being able to further suppress aggregation in the resulting liquid crystal layer or improving compatibility with the liquid crystal compound.

[0091]

[0092] In formula (d1), R ｄ１ , R ｄ２ , R ｄ３ , and R ｄ４ Each of L independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. ｄ１ are each independently —O— or —NR Ｚｂ - represents. Ｚｂ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. ｄ２ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, A represents an alkylene group, and p represents a number of 2 or more.

[0093] In formula (d1), R ｄ１ , R ｄ２ , R ｄ３ , and R ｄ４The alkyl group represented by the formula (d1) is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably a methyl group. ｄ１ In formula (d1), L is preferably —O— or —NH—, and more preferably —O—. ｄ２ is preferably a single bond or a linear alkylene group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and more preferably a single bond. In formula (d1), the alkylene group represented by A preferably has 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and more preferably 2 or 3 carbon atoms. The alkylene group may be either linear or branched. In formula (d1), -(A-O) ｐ The moiety represented by - may be an oxyalkylene group formed by linking an oxymethylene group and an oxypropylene group. The bonding order of each repeating unit may be either random or block. In formula (d1), p represents a number of 2 or more, preferably a number from 2 to 1,000, and more preferably a number from 2 to 25.

[0094] Specific examples of repeating unit D include the following repeating units.

[0095]

[0096] When the specific leveling agent contains repeating unit D, the content of repeating unit D is preferably 1 to 50% by mass, more preferably 1 to 30% by mass, based on all repeating units constituting the main chain of the specific leveling agent.

[0097] (Other Repeating Units) The specific leveling agent may contain a repeating unit other than the repeating units described above. For example, the specific leveling agent may have a repeating unit containing a polar group in terms of orientation control. Examples of the polar group include a carboxy group, 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 methylene group substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, and a methine group substituted with an electron-withdrawing group, and the carboxy group is preferred.

[0098] The repeating unit containing a polar group is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (K-1).

[0099]

[0100] 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.

[0101] Examples of the monomer that forms the repeating unit represented by the formula (K-1) include acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.

[0102] The content of the repeating unit having a polar group is preferably 0.05 to 30 mass%, more preferably 0.1 to 15 mass%, and even more preferably 1 to 10 mass%, relative to all repeating units (100 mass%) constituting the main chain of the specific leveling agent.

[0103] Examples of repeating units other than those mentioned above include repeating units derived from alkyl (meth)acrylate (the alkyl group moiety has 1 to 24 carbon atoms), styrene derivatives, (meth)acrylonitrile, vinyl ether derivatives, and alkyl(meth)acrylamide derivatives.

[0104] When the specific leveling agent is a copolymer containing two or more types of repeating units, the specific leveling agent may be any of a random copolymer, an alternating copolymer, and a block copolymer, or may be a mixture of random, alternating, and block copolymers.

[0105] The weight-average molecular weight of the specific leveling agent is preferably 5,000 to 70,000, more preferably 9,000 to 40,000, and even more preferably 15,000 to 35,000. Here, the weight-average molecular weight in the present invention is a value measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) under the following conditions. Solvent (eluent): tetrahydrofuran Apparatus name: EcoSEC HLC-8320GPC (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) Column: Three columns were connected: TSKgel SuperHZM-H, TSKgel SuperHZ4000, and TSKgel SuperHZ200 (all manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) Column temperature: 40°C Sample concentration: 0.1% by mass Flow rate: 0.35 ml / min Calibration curve: A calibration curve using six samples of TSK standard polystyrene manufactured by Tosoh Corporation with Mw = 706,000 to 1,013 (Mw / Mn = 1.03 to 1.06) was used.

[0106] The specific leveling agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the specific leveling agent is preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 1% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.1% by mass or less, based on the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition, in terms of more excellent effects of the present invention. Furthermore, the content of the specific leveling agent is preferably 0.001% by mass or more, more preferably 0.01% by mass or more, based on the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition, in terms of leveling properties.

[0107] <Polymerization Initiator> The liquid crystal composition preferably contains a polymerization initiator. The polymerization initiator is not particularly limited, but a photopolymerization initiator is preferred. Known photopolymerization initiators can be used as the photopolymerization initiator. Examples include α-carbonyl compounds, acyloin ethers, α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic acyloin compounds, polynuclear quinone compounds, combinations of triarylimidazole dimers and p-aminophenyl ketones, acridine and phenazine compounds, oxadiazole compounds, o-acyloxime compounds, and acylphosphine oxide compounds. Commercially available photopolymerization initiators can also be used, such as Irgacure-184, Irgacure-907, Irgacure-369, Irgacure-651, Irgacure-819, Irgacure-OXE-01, and Irgacure-OXE-02, all manufactured by BASF.

[0108] The content of the polymerization initiator is preferably 0.01 to 30% by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 15% by mass, based on the total solid content of the liquid crystal composition.

[0109] <Alignment Control Agent> The liquid crystal composition may contain an alignment control agent, if necessary. The alignment control agent can form various alignment states such as homogeneous alignment, homeotropic alignment (vertical alignment), tilted alignment, hybrid alignment, and cholesteric alignment, and can also realize a specific alignment state by controlling it more uniformly and more precisely.

[0110] As the alignment control agent that promotes homogeneous alignment, for example, a low molecular weight alignment control agent and a polymer alignment control agent can be used. For example, the descriptions of low molecular weight alignment control agents can be found in paragraphs

[0009] to

[0083] of JP 2002-020363 A, paragraphs

[0111] to

[0120] of JP 2006-106662 A, and paragraphs

[0021] to

[0029] of JP 2012-211306 A, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, the descriptions of polymer alignment control agents can be found in paragraphs

[0021] to

[0057] of JP 2004-198511 A, and paragraphs

[0121] to

[0167] of JP 2006-106662 A, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0111] Examples of alignment control agents that form or promote homeotropic alignment include boronic acid compounds and onium salt compounds. Specifically, the compounds described in JP-A-2008-225281, paragraphs

[0023] to

[0032] , JP-A-2012-208397, paragraphs

[0052] to

[0058] , JP-A-2008-026730, paragraphs

[0024] to

[0055] , and JP-A-2016-193869, paragraphs

[0043] to

[0055] , etc., can be referred to, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0112] Cholesteric alignment can be achieved by adding a chiral dopant to the liquid crystal composition, and the direction of rotation of the cholesteric alignment can be controlled by the chirality of the dopant. The pitch of the cholesteric alignment can be controlled by the alignment control force of the chiral dopant.

[0113] <Solvent> The liquid crystal composition preferably contains a solvent from the viewpoint of workability in forming a film, etc. Examples of the solvent include ketones (e.g., acetone, 2-butanone, methyl ethyl ketone, 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. toluene), esters (e.g., methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate, butyl acetate, and diethyl carbonate), alcohols (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, and cyclohexanol), cellosolves (e.g., methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane), cellosolve acetates, sulfoxides (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide), amides (e.g., dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, N-ethylpyrrolidone, and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone), and heterocyclic compounds (e.g., pyridine, etc.), as well as organic solvents such as water. These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0114] <Other Components> The liquid crystal composition may contain other components in addition to those described above, as necessary. Examples of the other components include a chiral agent, a chain transfer agent, a tilt angle control agent, a plasticizer, and a crosslinking agent. In terms of uniformity and alignment, it is also preferable that the liquid crystal composition does not contain a filler (e.g., silicon dioxide).

[0115] [Film manufacturing method] The film of the present invention is formed using the above-mentioned liquid crystal composition. The film manufacturing method of the present invention preferably includes step 1 of forming a coating film using the above-mentioned liquid crystal composition, and step 2 of subjecting the surface of the coating film obtained in step 1 to a plasma treatment. Steps 1 and 2 will be described in detail below.

[0116] <Step 1> Step 1 includes a coating film forming step of coating the above-described liquid crystal composition to form a coating film. It is also preferable that the coating film forming step of Step 1 further includes, after coating, an alignment step of aligning the liquid crystal compound contained in the coating film and an alignment fixing step of fixing the alignment state, in this order.

[0117] In the coating film forming step, a liquid crystal composition is applied onto a substrate to form a coating film. The substrate is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a support and an alignment film included in a laminate described below. The liquid crystal composition can be easily applied onto an alignment film by using a liquid crystal composition containing the solvent described above or a liquid liquid such as a molten liquid obtained by heating or the like. 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.

[0118] The method for aligning the liquid crystal compound in the alignment step is not particularly limited, but preferably includes a heat treatment. The heating temperature is preferably 10 to 250°C, more preferably 25 to 190°C, from the viewpoint of manufacturability and the like. The heating time is preferably 1 to 300 seconds, more preferably 1 to 60 seconds. A cooling treatment may be carried out after the heat treatment. The cooling treatment is a treatment in which the coated film after heating is cooled to about room temperature (20 to 25°C). The cooling means is not particularly limited, and can be carried out by a known method.

[0119] The method of fixation in the alignment fixation step is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a step of carrying out at least one of polymerization and drying. The conditions for the polymerization are not particularly limited, but in the polymerization by light irradiation, ultraviolet light is preferably used. The irradiation dose is 10 mJ / cm. ２ ~50 J / cm ２ is preferred, and 20 mJ / cm ２ ~5 J / cm ２ More preferably, 30 mJ / cm ２ ~3 J / cm ２ is more preferably 50 to 1000 mJ / cm ２ In order to accelerate the polymerization reaction, the reaction may be carried out under heating conditions.

[0120] <Step 2> Step 2 is a step of subjecting the surface of the coating film obtained in the above step 1 to a plasma treatment. The plasma treatment is preferably applied to the surface of the above coating film opposite to the substrate. In other words, it is preferably applied to the surface on the side where the specific leveling agent is unevenly distributed. When a specific leveling agent containing silicon atoms is subjected to a surface treatment such as a corona treatment or a plasma treatment, the bonding state of the silicon atoms changes and Si—OH bonds are formed. On the other hand, as the Si—OH bonds are formed, the Si—OH bonds condense with each other, forming silicon atoms with four oxygen atoms bonded (SiO ２ ) may be formed, and the presence of this between the film and the adjacent layer may be one of the factors causing poor adhesion. Compared to the method of corona treatment, the method of subjecting a coating film to plasma treatment makes it possible to impart hydrophilic groups such as OH groups to carbon atoms at a high density, and it is therefore presumed that the surface adsorption force and polarity of the film surface are improved. Due to the above-mentioned action effect, the water contact angle on the film surface of the film after plasma treatment is likely to be small, and SiO ２It is presumed that even in the presence of a coating film, the adhesion between the film and the adjacent layer is excellent. Furthermore, compared with the method of performing corona treatment, the method of performing plasma treatment on the coating film is less likely to roughen the surface of the coating film, so the thickness of the film after plasma treatment is likely to be relatively uniform, and as a result, it is presumed that the occurrence of ghosts is likely to be suppressed even when the coating film is applied to a virtual reality display device. In particular, when the specific leveling agent has a group having a branched siloxane bond such as the group represented by the above formula (IIa), the leveling ability of the leveling agent is excellent, so the smoothness of the coating film formed is likely to be even more excellent.

[0121] The plasma treatment method is not particularly limited, and a known method can be adopted, for example, it can be performed using a known plasma treatment apparatus. Examples of the plasma treatment apparatus include various apparatuses such as those described in paragraphs

[0015] to

[0058] of JP 2018-170183 A and paragraphs

[0041] to

[0074] of JP 2013-056514 A, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0122] The plasma treatment may be carried out under atmospheric pressure or under reduced pressure (500 Pa or less, preferably 0 to 100 Pa).

[0123] In the plasma treatment, the gas to be converted into a plasma state (plasma raw material gas) is not particularly limited, and examples include rare gases (inert gases) such as helium gas, neon gas, argon gas, krypton gas, xenon gas, and radon gas, as well as oxygen gas, nitrogen gas, and hydrogen gas. The plasma raw material gas is preferably a mixed gas containing a rare gas and one or more reactive gases selected from oxygen gas and nitrogen gas. Oxygen gas and nitrogen gas can contribute to hydrophilization of the coating film surface. Therefore, when the plasma raw material gas contains one or more selected from oxygen gas and nitrogen gas, the water contact angle of the film surface after plasma treatment is more likely to decrease. The content of one or more reactive gases selected from oxygen gas and nitrogen gas in the mixed gas (the total content when both are contained) is preferably 0.1 to 10.0 vol%, and more preferably 1.0 to 8.0 vol%, relative to the total volume of the mixed gas, in order to more easily decrease the water contact angle of the film surface after plasma treatment. Furthermore, the content of the rare gas in the mixed gas is preferably 50.0% by volume or more, more preferably 80.0% by volume or more, and even more preferably 90.0% by volume or more, based on the total volume of the mixed gas. The upper limit of the content of the rare gas in the mixed gas is not particularly limited, and is preferably 99.9% by volume or less, more preferably 99.0% by mass or less, based on the total volume of the mixed gas. Rare gases are more easily converted into plasma with the application of lower energy than oxygen gas or nitrogen gas. Therefore, by setting the content of the rare gas within the above numerical range, a uniform discharge can be generated on the coating film surface, facilitating uniform surface modification of the coating film surface. Among the rare gases, helium gas and argon gas are preferred because they are in a metastable state and therefore easily sustain a discharge. Helium gas is more preferred because it has a longer lifetime in the excited state. The gas composition in the plasma source gas can be quantified by analyzing a sample of the plasma source gas using an analytical device such as gas chromatography or mass spectrometry.

[0124] Furthermore, in step 2, it is preferable to perform plasma treatment on the surface of the coating film obtained in step 1 while conveying the coating film using a plasma generating device that generates plasma between an electrode and a counter electrode when power is supplied. The power used in the plasma treatment is preferably 100 to 8000 W, in terms of the water contact angle and root-mean-square roughness of the film surface after plasma treatment meeting predetermined conditions, thereby making it easier to achieve the effects of the present invention, and / or the stability of discharge (stability of in-plane uniformity of modification). In particular, when performing plasma treatment under atmospheric pressure, the power is more preferably 600 to 8000 W, in terms of further reducing the water contact angle of the film, and even more preferably 2500 to 6000 W, in terms of further reducing the water contact angle of the film and further reducing damage to the substrate. When performing plasma treatment under reduced pressure, the power is more preferably 100 to 1000 W, in terms of further reducing the water contact angle of the film, and even more preferably 100 to 500 W, in terms of further reducing the water contact angle of the film and further reducing damage to the substrate. The lower limit of the conveying speed of the coating film to be subjected to plasma treatment is preferably 1.0 m / min or more, more preferably 3.0 m / min or more, and even more preferably 5.0 m / min or more, from the viewpoints of superior productivity and discharge stability (stability of in-plane uniformity of modification). The upper limit of the conveying speed of the coating film to be subjected to plasma treatment is preferably 100 m / min or less, more preferably 50.0 m / min or less, more preferably 30.0 m / min or less, even more preferably 15.0 m / min or less, and particularly preferably less than 10.0 m / min, from the viewpoints of suppressing the influence of entrained air and superior discharge stability (stability of in-plane uniformity of modification).

[0125] When plasma treatment is performed under atmospheric pressure, the plasma treatment time is preferably 10 seconds to 10 hours, more preferably 10 seconds to 1 hour. When plasma treatment is performed under reduced pressure, the plasma treatment time is preferably 10 seconds to 10 hours, more preferably 10 seconds to 1 hour. By setting the plasma treatment time within the above numerical range, problems such as thermal melting of the substrate and / or deformation of the electrode are less likely to occur. The plasma treatment may be performed continuously or intermittently. When performed intermittently, the total treatment time is preferably within the above range. The treatment temperature during plasma treatment is preferably 0 to 200°C, more preferably 15 to 150°C. In step 2, the coating film obtained in step 1 may be subjected to plasma treatment while being transported between the electrode and the counter electrode. The distance between the electrode and the counter electrode can be set as appropriate, but is preferably 0.1 to 5.0 mm, for example.

[0126] [Film Properties] The film of the present invention is formed using a liquid crystal composition. As described above, it is preferable that the orientation state of the liquid crystal compound in the film is fixed. In this specification, the "fixed" orientation state of the liquid crystal compound refers to a state in which the orientation of the liquid crystal compound is maintained. Specifically, it is more preferable that the layer has no fluidity and can stably maintain the fixed orientation state without any change in the orientation state due to an external field or external force, usually at a temperature range of 0 to 50°C, or more severely, at a temperature range of −30 to 70°C. In a film having a fixed orientation state, the liquid crystal compound may no longer exhibit liquid crystallinity. In a film, the liquid crystal compound may be a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound or a polymer liquid crystal compound that is a high-molecular-weight substance in the liquid crystal composition. That is, the film may include a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. As described below, the film may include a polymer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a component derived from a specific leveling agent.

[0127] The orientation state of the liquid crystal compound in the film of the present invention may be any of horizontal orientation, vertical orientation, tilt orientation, and twist orientation. Furthermore, a single layer may have multiple orientation states, such as the liquid crystal cured layer described in WO 2021 / 033640, which has a first region in which the orientation state of the liquid crystal compound twisted along a helical axis extending along the thickness direction is fixed, and a second region in which the orientation state of the liquid crystal compound homogeneously aligned is fixed, along the thickness direction. In this specification, "horizontal orientation" refers to the principal surface of the film being parallel to the long axis direction of the liquid crystal compound. Strict parallelism is not required, and in this specification, it refers to an orientation in which the angle between the long axis direction of the liquid crystal compound and the principal surface of the film is less than 10°. In this specification, "vertical orientation" refers to the principal surface of the film being perpendicular to the long axis direction of the liquid crystal compound. Strict perpendicularity is not required, and in this specification, it refers to an orientation in which the angle between the long axis direction of the liquid crystal compound and the principal surface of the film is 170 to 110°.

[0128] The film of the present invention is preferably an optically anisotropic film. Examples of the optically anisotropic film include a positive A plate, a positive C plate, and an optically anisotropic film having, along the thickness direction, a first region in which the orientation state of liquid crystal compounds twisted along a helical axis extending along the thickness direction is fixed, and a second region in which the orientation state of liquid crystal compounds homogeneously aligned is fixed (hereinafter, this embodiment will also be referred to as "optically anisotropic film A").

[0129] A positive A plate (positive A plate) and a positive C plate (positive C plate) are defined as follows. When the refractive index in the in-plane slow axis direction of the film (the direction in which the in-plane refractive index is maximum) is nx, the refractive index in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the in-plane slow axis is ny, and the refractive index in the thickness direction is nz, a positive A plate satisfies the relationship of formula (A1), and a positive C plate satisfies the relationship of formula (C1). Note that a positive A plate has a positive Rth, and a positive C plate has a negative Rth. Formula (A1) nx>ny≒nz Formula (C1) nz>nx≒ny Note that the above "≒" encompasses not only the case where both are completely identical, but also the case where both are substantially identical. Regarding "substantially the same," for a positive A plate, "ny ≒ nz" includes, for example, a case where (ny - nz) x d (where d is the film thickness) is -10 to 10 nm, preferably -5 to 5 nm, and "nx ≒ nz" includes, for example, a case where (nx - nz) x d (where d is the film thickness) is -10 to 10 nm, preferably -5 to 5 nm. Also, for a positive C plate, "nx ≒ ny" includes, for example, a case where (nx - ny) x d (where d is the film thickness) is 0 to 10 nm, preferably 0 to 5 nm.

[0130] When the film of the present invention is a positive A plate, from the viewpoint of functioning as a λ / 4 plate, Re(550) is preferably 100 to 180 nm, more preferably 120 to 160 nm, even more preferably 130 to 150 nm, and particularly preferably 130 to 145 nm. Here, the "λ / 4 plate" is a plate having a λ / 4 function, specifically, a plate having a function of converting linearly polarized light of a certain wavelength into circularly polarized light (or circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light).

[0131] An optically anisotropic film (optically anisotropic film A) having, along the thickness direction, a first region in which the alignment state of liquid crystal compounds twisted along a helical axis extending along the thickness direction is fixed, and a second region in which the alignment state of liquid crystal compounds homogeneously aligned is fixed, will be described in detail. When the thickness of the first region of the optically anisotropic film A is d1 (nm) and the refractive index anisotropy of the first region measured at a wavelength of 550 nm is Δn1, the first region preferably satisfies the following formula (1-1) in order to enable the optically anisotropic film to be suitably applied to a circular polarizer. Formula (1-1) 100 nm≦Δn1d1≦240 nm Among these, it is more preferable to satisfy formula (1-2), and even more preferable to satisfy formula (1-3). 120 nm≦Δn1d1≦220 nm Equation (1-2) 140 nm≦Δn1d1≦200 nm Equation (1-3) The refractive index anisotropy Δn1 means the refractive index anisotropy of the first region.

[0132] The absolute value of the twist angle of the liquid crystal compound in the first region is not particularly limited, but is preferably 60 to 120°, more preferably 70 to 110°, in order to enable the optically anisotropic film to be suitably applied to a circular polarizer. The twist angle is measured using an AxoScan from Axometrics and its instrument analysis software.

[0133] Furthermore, assuming that the thickness of the second region of the optically anisotropic film A is d2 (nm) and the refractive index anisotropy of the second region measured at a wavelength of 550 nm is Δn2, it is preferable that the second region satisfy the following formula (2-1), in order to enable the optically anisotropic film to be suitably applied to a circularly polarizing plate. Formula (2-1) 100 nm≦Δn2d2≦240 nm Among these, it is more preferable to satisfy formula (2-2), and even more preferable to satisfy formula (2-3). Formula (2-2) 120 nm≦Δn2d2≦220 nm Formula (2-3) 140 nm≦Δn2d2≦200 nm It should be noted that the refractive index anisotropy Δn2 means the refractive index anisotropy of the second region.

[0134] The film of the present invention contains silicon atoms derived from a specific leveling agent. The form of the silicon atoms is not particularly limited, and they may be contained as part of the specific leveling agent or in other forms. In another embodiment, the film may contain a component derived from the specific leveling agent (e.g., silicon dioxide, as described below).

[0135] The thickness of the film of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.5 to 5 μm.

[0136] The water contact angle of the surface of the film of the present invention is 35° or less, and preferably 30° or less. Furthermore, the lower limit of the water contact angle of the film of the present invention is often 5° or more. The water contact angle can be measured by a known method. For example, it is preferable to use a DMo-702 manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd., under measurement conditions of a temperature of 25°C, a humidity of 60%, and a waiting time of 20 seconds. In the above-described film manufacturing method, it is preferable that the surface of the coating film formed using the liquid crystal composition that was on the air interface side satisfies the above water contact angle.

[0137] The root mean square roughness (RMS) of the surface of the film of the present invention is 4.0 nm or less, preferably 3.0 nm or less, and more preferably 2.0 nm or less. Furthermore, the lower limit of the root mean square roughness of the surface of the film of the present invention is often 0.5 nm or more. The root mean square roughness of the film surface can be measured by a known method. For example, a cross-sectional profile can be obtained using an SPA-400 manufactured by Hitachi High-Techno Science under measurement conditions of a measurement range of 10 μm × 10 μm, measurement mode: DFM, and measurement frequency: 1 Hz, and the root mean square roughness can be calculated based on the obtained cross-sectional profile. In the above-mentioned film manufacturing method, it is preferable that the surface of the coating film formed using the liquid crystal composition that was on the air interface side satisfies the above root mean square roughness.

[0138] As described above, the film of the present invention has a SiO ２The bonding state of Si can be determined from the photoelectron spectrum of Si2p obtained by measuring the surface of the film of the present invention by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

[0139] The photoelectron spectrum of Si2p measured by XPS is a core photoelectron spectrum corresponding to the 2p orbital of a silicon atom (Si). The specific method for measuring the photoelectron spectrum of Si2p is as follows. First, the surface of the film is measured under the following conditions to obtain the photoelectron spectrum of Si2p. A spectrum in which a peak top is observed in the range of 101.0 to 106.0 eV is assigned as the photoelectron spectrum of Si2p.

[0140] (XPS measurement conditions) Apparatus: Quantera manufactured by Ulvac-PHI X-ray source: monochromated Al-Ka ray (X-ray beam diameter 100 μmΦ, output 25 W, voltage 15 kV) Analysis area: 300 μm × 300 μm Pass energy: 55 eV Step energy: 0.05 eV Charge correction: Yes (electron gun and low-energy ion gun used together) Photoelectron take-off angle: 45 In the above measurement, the bond energy is calibrated by setting the peak top of the photoelectron spectrum of C1s derived from a C—C bond detected from the same sample to 284.8 eV.

[0141] A silicon atom with four oxygen atoms bonded to it (SiO ２ The presence of Si2p can be confirmed by the presence or absence of a peak attributable to a silicon atom to which four oxygen atoms are bonded in the photoelectron spectrum of Si2p.

[0142] A silicon atom with four oxygen atoms bonded to it (SiO ２) will be explained. The photoelectron spectrum of Si2p is fitted using the four bond energy values ​​of the first to fourth peaks shown below. The first peak is attributed to Si-Ox1, the second peak to Si-Ox2, the third peak to Si-Ox3, and the fourth peak to Si-Ox4. Si-Oxn (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) represents a silicon atom having n Si-O bonds and (4 - n) Si-C bonds. Si-Ox4 represents a silicon atom (SiO ２ ) Specifically, the binding energies of the peak tops of the first to fourth peaks are fixed to be within the range of ±0.1 eV of the values ​​shown below, the fitting function is a Gauss-Lorentz function (Gauss ratio is 90% or more), the baseline is the Shirley method, and fitting is performed so that the residual sum of squares with the actually measured spectrum is minimized. First peak (Si-O x 1): 101.62 eV Second peak (Si-O x 2): 102.15 eV Third peak (Si-O x 3): 102.65 eV Fourth peak (Si-O x 4): 103.33 eV

[0143] The presence of the fourth peak from the fitting results indicates the presence of a silicon atom bonded to four oxygen atoms. The presence of the fourth peak means that the area of ​​the fourth peak is 4% or more of the area of ​​the Si2p photoelectron spectrum.

[0144] [Laminate] The film of the present invention can be used as a laminate in combination with other layers. Examples of other layers in a laminate including the film of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as the "laminate of the present invention") include a support and an alignment film. It is also preferable that the other layers in the laminate be laminated so that the outermost surface of the film of the present invention has a water contact angle and root mean square roughness (RMS) that satisfy the above-mentioned predetermined ranges (hereinafter also referred to as the "specific surface"). Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a laminate of the present invention. Note that Figure 1 is a schematic diagram, and the thickness and positional relationship of each layer do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones. The support and alignment film shown in Figure 1 are both optional components. The laminate 10 shown in Figure 1 has a support 16, an alignment film 14, and a liquid crystal layer 12, in this order. The liquid crystal layer 12 is the film of the present invention. The liquid crystal layer 12 may also be an optically anisotropic layer. Another liquid crystal layer may also be included between the liquid crystal layer 12 and the alignment film 14. For example, when the polarizing plate of the present invention described below is used as a circular polarizing plate, or when the film of the present invention is used as an optical compensation film for an IPS (In-Plane-Switching) mode or FFS (Fringe-Field-Switching) mode liquid crystal display device, the laminate preferably includes a positive A plate and a positive C plate. Various members used in the laminate of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0145] <Support> The support is a base material for forming a film. The support is preferably transparent. Specifically, it is preferable that the light transmittance be 80% or more.

[0146] Examples of the support include glass substrates and polymer films. Examples of materials for the polymer film include cellulose-based polymers; acrylic polymers having acrylic acid ester polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate and lactone ring-containing polymers; thermoplastic norbornene-based polymers; polycarbonate-based polymers; polyester-based polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate; styrene-based polymers such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers (AS resins); polyolefin-based polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers; vinyl chloride-based polymers; amide-based polymers such as nylon and aromatic polyamide; imide-based polymers; sulfone-based polymers; polyethersulfone-based polymers; polyetheretherketone-based polymers; polyphenylene sulfide-based polymers; vinylidene chloride-based polymers; vinyl alcohol-based polymers; vinyl butyral-based polymers; arylate-based polymers; polyoxymethylene-based polymers; epoxy-based polymers; and polymers obtained by mixing these polymers. In addition, the polarizer described below may also serve as such a support.

[0147] The thickness of the support is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 100 μm, more preferably 5 to 50 μm. The support is preferably peelable.

[0148] <Alignment Film> The laminate of the present invention preferably has an alignment film between the support and the film. The support may also serve as the alignment film.

[0149] Alignment films generally contain a polymer as a main component. Polymer materials for alignment films are described in numerous publications, and many commercially available products are available. The polymer material used in the present invention is preferably polyvinyl alcohol or polyimide, and derivatives thereof. Modified or unmodified polyvinyl alcohol is particularly preferred. Examples of alignment films that can be used in the present invention include those described in WO 01 / 088574, page 43, line 24 to page 49, line 8; modified polyvinyl alcohols described in paragraphs

[0071] to

[0095] of Japanese Patent No. 3907735; and liquid crystal alignment films formed using liquid crystal aligning agents described in JP 2012-155308 A.

[0150] In the present invention, it is also preferable to use a photo-alignment film as the alignment film, because it is possible to prevent deterioration of the surface condition by not contacting the alignment film surface during formation of the alignment film. The photo-alignment film is not particularly limited, but polymer materials such as polyamide compounds and polyimide compounds described in paragraphs

[0024] to

[0043] of WO 2005 / 096041; liquid crystal alignment films formed by liquid crystal alignment agents having a photo-aligning group with a cinnamic acid structure described in JP 2012-155308 A; product name LPP-JP265CP manufactured by Rolic Technologies, Inc., and the like can be used.

[0151] In the present invention, the thickness of the alignment film is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of reducing surface irregularities that may be present on the support and forming an optically anisotropic layer with a uniform film thickness, the thickness is preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm, and even more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 μm.

[0152] In the laminate of the present invention, the film of the present invention may be formed on the surface of another liquid crystal layer. The other liquid crystal layer may be a liquid crystal layer formed by fixing the above-mentioned liquid crystal composition in a predetermined alignment state, or a liquid crystal layer formed by fixing a composition containing a liquid crystal compound and, if necessary, optional components (e.g., a polymerization initiator, a dichroic material, and a leveling agent) in a predetermined alignment state.

[0153] In the laminate of the present invention, the film of the present invention may be laminated with another liquid crystal layer. When the film of the present invention is laminated with another liquid crystal layer, it is also preferable that the lamination be performed via an adhesive layer. In other words, it is also preferable that the laminate of the present invention has an adhesive layer. As described above, a liquid crystal layer formed using a liquid crystal composition containing a leveling agent containing silicon atoms (particularly a surface on which the leveling agent is unevenly distributed) may not have sufficient adhesion to adjacent layers, but the film of the present invention exhibits excellent adhesion even when the surface on which the leveling agent is unevenly distributed is adjacent to an adhesive layer. The other liquid crystal layer may be the film of the present invention or the other liquid crystal layer described above.

[0154] The adhesive layer is a layer formed using an adhesive. The adhesive layer is preferably a curable adhesive composition that cures upon irradiation with active energy rays or heating. Examples of curable adhesives include electron beam curable adhesives, ultraviolet curable adhesives, and visible light curable adhesives, with ultraviolet curable adhesives being preferred. Examples of curable adhesive compositions include curable adhesive compositions containing a cationically polymerizable compound (e.g., epoxy adhesives) and curable adhesive compositions containing a radically polymerizable compound (e.g., (meth)acrylate adhesives). For details of the adhesive layer, see, for example, paragraphs

[0062] to

[0080] of JP 2016-035579 A, ​​the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0155] The laminate of the present invention preferably contains an ultraviolet (UV) absorber in consideration of the effects of external light (especially ultraviolet light). The ultraviolet absorber may be contained in the film of the present invention or in a member other than the film. A suitable example of a member other than the film is a support. Any conventionally known ultraviolet absorber capable of exhibiting ultraviolet absorption properties can be used as the ultraviolet absorber. Among such ultraviolet absorbers, benzotriazole-based or hydroxyphenyltriazine-based ultraviolet absorbers are preferred from the viewpoint of achieving high ultraviolet absorption and ultraviolet absorption (ultraviolet blocking) capabilities useful in image display devices. Furthermore, in order to broaden the ultraviolet absorption bandwidth, two or more ultraviolet absorbers with different maximum absorption wavelengths can be used in combination. Specific examples of ultraviolet absorbers include the compounds described in paragraphs

[0258] to

[0259] of JP 2012-018395 A and the compounds described in paragraphs

[0055] to

[0105] of JP 2007-072163 A. Commercially available products include Tinuvin 400, Tinuvin 405, Tinuvin 460, Tinuvin 477, Tinuvin 479, and Tinuvin 1577 (all manufactured by BASF).

[0156] [Polarizing Plate] The polarizing plate of the present invention comprises a polarizer, an adhesive layer, and the film of the present invention. When the film of the present invention is a positive A plate, the angle between the slow axis of the positive A plate and the absorption axis of the polarizer described below is preferably 30 to 60°, more preferably 40 to 50°, even more preferably 42 to 48°, and particularly preferably 45°, in order to enable suitable applications such as circular polarizing plates. Here, the "slow axis" refers to the direction in which the refractive index is maximized in the plane of the liquid crystal layer, and the "absorption axis" of the polarizer refers to the direction in which the absorbance is highest. When the film of the present invention is the optically anisotropic film A described above, the absolute value of the angle between the in-plane slow axis of the second region formed by fixing the alignment state of the homogeneously aligned liquid crystal compound and the absorption axis of the polarizer is preferably 5 to 25°, more preferably 10 to 20°, in order to enable suitable applications such as circular polarizing plates. The polarizing plate can also be used as an optical compensation film for IPS-type or FFS-type liquid crystal display devices. When the polarizing plate is used as an optical compensation film for an IPS-type or FFS-type liquid crystal display device, it is preferable that the above-mentioned film of the present invention be used as at least one plate of a laminate of a positive A plate and a positive C plate. In other words, the polarizing plate of the present invention has a polarizer, an adhesive layer, the film of the present invention, and a liquid crystal layer, and it is preferable that one of the film of the present invention and the liquid crystal layer is a positive A plate, and the other is a positive C plate. The liquid crystal layer may also be considered as a film of the present invention. It is preferable that the angle between the slow axis of the positive A plate layer and the absorption axis of the polarizer described below is perpendicular or parallel. Specifically, it is more preferable that the angle between the slow axis of the positive A plate layer and the absorption axis of the polarizer described below is 0 to 5° or 85 to 95°. When the polarizing plate of the present invention is used in the image display device described below, it is preferable that the angle between the slow axis of the liquid crystal layer and the absorption axis of the polarizer described below is parallel or parallel.

[0157] The polarizing plate of the present invention may have an adhesive layer between the polarizer and the film of the present invention, and the adhesive layer may be an adhesive layer. When the polarizer of the present invention includes a laminate of a positive A plate and a positive C plate, it is preferable that an adhesive layer be provided between the positive A plate and the positive C plate.

[0158] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a polarizing plate of the present invention. The polarizing plate 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes a polarizer 22, a first adhesion layer 24, a first liquid crystal layer 26, a second adhesion layer 28, and a second liquid crystal layer 30, in this order. Note that FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram, and the thickness and positional relationship of each layer do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones. Furthermore, one of the first adhesion layer 24 and the second adhesion layer 28 is an optional component, and one of the first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer is an optional component. In the polarizing plate of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the first liquid crystal layer 26 and the second liquid crystal layer 30 is a film of the present invention, and it is preferable that at least the first liquid crystal layer 26 is a film of the present invention. It is also preferable that the first liquid crystal layer 26 and the second liquid crystal layer 30 are a positive A plate and a positive C plate, respectively. In the polarizing plate of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that at least one of the first adhesion layer 24 and the second adhesion layer 28 is an adhesive layer, and it is preferable that at least the second adhesion layer 28 is an adhesive layer.

[0159] [Polarizer] The polarizer is not particularly limited as long as it is a component that has the function of converting light into specific linearly polarized light, and conventionally known absorption-type polarizers, reflective-type polarizers, and coated-type polarizers can be used. Examples of absorption-type polarizers include iodine-based polarizers, dye-based polarizers using dichroic dyes, and polyene-based polarizers. Iodine-based polarizers and dye-based polarizers include coated-type polarizers and stretched-type polarizers, and either can be used. However, polarizers prepared by adsorbing iodine or a dichroic dye to polyvinyl alcohol and stretching the resulting material are preferred. Examples of coated-type polarizers include polarizers containing a cured product of a liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye. Examples of reflective polarizers include polarizers stacked with thin films of different birefringence, wire-grid polarizers, and polarizers combining a cholesteric liquid crystal having a selective reflection region with a quarter-wave plate.

[0160] The thickness of the polarizer is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 3 to 60 μm, more preferably from 3 to 30 μm, and even more preferably from 3 to 10 μm.

[0161] [Adhesive Layer] The polarizing plate of the present invention has an adhesive layer. The polarizing plate of the present invention may have an adhesive layer between the polarizer and the film of the present invention, or may have an adhesive layer between either the polarizer or the film of the present invention and another layer (e.g., a liquid crystal layer), or may have an adhesive layer between any of the layers. The adhesive layer is preferably adjacent to the film of the present invention. In particular, the adhesive layer is preferably adjacent to a specific surface of the film of the present invention. Examples of the adhesive layer include the adhesive layers described above.

[0162] The thickness of the adhesive layer is preferably 0.01 to 20 μm, more preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, and even more preferably 0.05 to 5 μm. If the thickness of the adhesive layer is within this range, lifting or peeling does not occur between the laminated film and the polarizer, and practically acceptable adhesion strength is obtained. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of suppressing the generation of bubbles, the thickness of the adhesive layer is preferably 0.4 μm or more.

[0163] The polarizing plate of the present invention may have a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer as an adhesive layer. For example, an adhesive layer may be provided between the film of the present invention and another liquid crystal layer, or a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may be provided between the polarizer and the polarizing plate of the present invention. Examples of pressure-sensitive adhesives contained in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer include acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives, epoxy pressure-sensitive adhesives, rubber pressure-sensitive adhesives, silicone pressure-sensitive adhesives, urethane pressure-sensitive adhesives, vinyl alkyl ether pressure-sensitive adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol pressure-sensitive adhesives, polyvinylpyrrolidone pressure-sensitive adhesives, polyacrylamide pressure-sensitive adhesives, and cellulose pressure-sensitive adhesives. Among these, acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (pressure-sensitive adhesives) are preferred because of their excellent transparency, weather resistance, heat resistance, and the like. Regarding pressure-sensitive adhesives, reference may be made to paragraphs

[0071] to

[0084] of JP 2018-060014 A, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0164] The thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is preferably 0.01 to 20 μm, more preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, and even more preferably 0.05 to 5 μm. If the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is within this range, lifting or peeling does not occur between the laminated layers, and an adhesive strength that does not cause any practical problems can be obtained.

[0165] [Image display device] The image display device of the present invention is an image display device having the film of the present invention or the polarizing plate of the present invention. The display element used in the image display device is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a liquid crystal cell, an organic electroluminescence (hereinafter abbreviated as "EL (Electro Luminescence)") display panel, and a plasma display panel. Of these, a liquid crystal cell or an organic EL display panel is preferred. That is, the image 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.

[0166] [Organic EL Display Device] An example of an organic EL display device, which is an example of an image display device, includes, from the viewing side, a polarizer, a λ / 4 plate made of the above-mentioned film, and an organic EL display panel, in this order. 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.

[0167] [Liquid Crystal Display Device] A liquid crystal display device, which is an example of an image display device, is a liquid crystal display device having the above-described polarizing plate and a liquid crystal cell. Of the polarizing plates provided on both sides of the liquid crystal cell, it is preferable to use the above-described polarizing plate as the front-side polarizing plate, and it is more preferable to use the above-described polarizing plate as the front-side and rear-side polarizing plates.

[0168] <Liquid Crystal Cell> The liquid crystal cell used in the liquid crystal display device is preferably in VA (Vertical Alignment) mode, OCB (Optically Compensated Bend) mode, IPS (In-Plane-Switching) mode, FFS (Fringe-Field-Switching) mode, or TN (Twisted Nematic) mode, but is not limited to these.

[0169] [Virtual Reality Display Device] The virtual reality display device of the present invention is a virtual reality display device that includes the polarizing plate of the present invention. The virtual reality display device is a display device that allows a user to wear a dedicated headset on their head and view images displayed through lenses, thereby creating a sense of realism as if they are immersed in a virtual world. The polarizing plate of the present invention is preferably applied to a pancake lens-type virtual reality display device that reduces the overall thickness of the headset by directing light emitted from an image display device back and forth between a reflective polarizer and a half mirror. More specifically, it is preferably used as a circular polarizing plate disposed between the image display device and the half mirror. The image display device emits an unpolarized image (image light), and the unpolarized image emitted by the image display device can be converted into circularly polarized light by passing through the circular polarizing plate. The display element used in the image display device is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a liquid crystal cell, an EL display panel, and a plasma display panel.

[0170] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a virtual reality display device. The virtual reality display device shown in FIG. 3 is a so-called pancake lens type virtual reality display device. The virtual reality display device 40 shown in FIG. 3 includes, from the right side of the figure, an image display device 42, a circular polarizer 44, a half mirror 46, a λ / 4 plate 48, a reflective polarizer (reflective linear polarizer) 50, and an absorptive polarizer (absorptive linear polarizer) 52. The reflective polarizer is a linear polarizer that transmits linearly polarized light in a certain direction and reflects linearly polarized light in a direction perpendicular to the linearly polarized light. The absorptive polarizer is a linear polarizer that transmits linearly polarized light in a certain direction and absorbs linearly polarized light in a direction perpendicular to the linearly polarized light. Although the virtual reality display device 30 includes the absorptive polarizer 52, it is not necessary to include the absorptive polarizer.

[0171] In the virtual reality display device 30 shown in FIG. 3 , light emitted from the image display device 42 passes through the circular polarizer 44 to become circularly polarized light and then passes through the half mirror 46. It then passes through the λ / 4 plate 48 to become linearly polarized light, and is incident on the reflective polarizer 50 and reflected. The light reflected by the reflective polarizer 50 passes through the λ / 4 plate 48 to become circularly polarized light, is reflected by the half mirror 46, passes through the λ / 4 plate 48 again to become linearly polarized light, and then enters the reflective polarizer 50. At this time, the polarization state of the light that re-enters the reflective polarizer 50 remains unchanged when reflected by the reflective polarizer 50, but after being reflected by the half mirror 46 and passing through the λ / 4 plate 48, it changes to linearly polarized light that is orthogonal to the linearly polarized light that initially entered the reflective polarizer 50. Therefore, the light passes through the reflective polarizer 50 and is visually recognized by the user.

[0172] Although the virtual reality display device 30 in FIG. 3 uses a reflective linear polarizer, the reflective polarizer may be a polarizer that selectively reflects circularly polarized light.

[0173] [Film Manufacturing Method] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a film formed using the above-described liquid crystal composition. The film manufacturing method of the present invention includes Step 1 of forming a coating film using the above-described liquid crystal composition, and Step 2 of subjecting the surface of the coating film obtained in Step 1 to a plasma treatment.

[0174] The method for producing the film of the present invention is the same as the method for forming the film of the present invention described in detail in the upper section, and the preferred embodiments are also the same. When a specific leveling agent containing silicon atoms is subjected to a surface treatment such as corona treatment or plasma treatment, the bonding state of the silicon atoms changes, and Si-OH bonds are formed. On the other hand, as the Si-OH bonds are formed, the Si-OH bonds condense with each other, forming silicon atoms with four oxygen atoms bonded (SiO ２ ) may be formed, and the presence of this between the film and the adjacent layer may be one of the factors causing poor adhesion. Compared to the method of corona treatment, the method of subjecting a coating film to plasma treatment makes it possible to impart hydrophilic groups such as OH groups to carbon atoms at a high density, and it is therefore presumed that the surface adsorption force and polarity of the film surface are improved. Due to the above-mentioned action effect, the water contact angle on the film surface of the film after plasma treatment is likely to be small, and SiO ２ It is presumed that even in the presence of a coating film, the adhesion between the film and the adjacent layer is excellent. Furthermore, compared with the method of performing corona treatment, the method of performing plasma treatment on the coating film is less likely to roughen the surface of the coating film, so the thickness of the film after plasma treatment is likely to be relatively uniform, and as a result, it is presumed that the occurrence of ghosts is likely to be suppressed even when the coating film is applied to a virtual reality display device. In particular, when the specific leveling agent has a group having a branched siloxane bond such as the group represented by the above formula (IIa), the leveling ability of the leveling agent is excellent, so the smoothness of the coating film formed is likely to be even more excellent.

[0175] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. The materials, amounts used, ratios, treatment contents, 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.

[0176] Example 1 Preparation of Retardation Film and Circularly Polarizing Plate A positive A plate, a positive C plate, and a circularly polarizing plate and a display device formed therefrom were prepared as follows.

[0177] <Preparation of Support> The following composition was placed in a mixing tank, stirred, and heated at 90°C for 10 minutes. The resulting composition was then filtered through filter paper with an average pore size of 34 μm and a sintered metal filter with an average pore size of 10 μm to prepare a dope. The solids concentration of the dope was 23.5% by mass, the amount of plasticizer added was the ratio relative to the cellulose acylate, and the solvent for the dope was methylene chloride / methanol / butanol = 81 / 18 / 1 (mass ratio). ------------------------------------------------ Cellulose acylate dope -------------------------------------------------- Cellulose acylate (acetyl substitution degree 2.86, viscosity average degree of polymerization 310) 100 parts by mass Sugar ester compound 1 (formula (S4) below) 6.0 parts by mass Sugar ester compound 2 (formula (S5) below) 2.0 parts by mass Silica particle dispersion (AEROSIL R972, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) 0.1 part by mass Solvent (methylene chloride / methanol / butanol) 351.9 parts by mass --------------------------------------------------

[0178]

[0179]

[0180] The dope prepared above was cast using a drum film-forming machine. The dope was cast from a die onto a metal support cooled to 0°C, and then the resulting web (film) was peeled off from the drum. The drum was made of SUS (stainless steel). The cast web (film) was peeled off from the drum and dried for 20 minutes in a tenter apparatus, which clipped both ends of the web with clips while transporting the film at 30 to 40°C. The web was then post-dried by zone heating while being transported by a roll. The resulting web was knurled and then wound up to form cellulose acylate film A1. The resulting cellulose acylate film A1 had a thickness of 60 μm, an in-plane retardation Re(550) of 1 nm at a wavelength of 550 nm, and a thickness-direction retardation Rth(550) of 35 nm at a wavelength of 550 nm.

[0181] <Preparation of Positive A Plate> A coating solution E1 for forming a photo-alignment film having the following composition was continuously coated on the above-mentioned cellulose acylate film A1 using a wire bar. The cellulose acylate film A1 on which the coating film was formed was dried with hot air at 140°C for 120 seconds, and then the coating film was irradiated with polarized ultraviolet light (10 mJ / cm ２ , an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp was used) to form a photo-alignment layer E1 with a thickness of 0.2 μm, and a TAC film with a photo-alignment layer was obtained. ------------------------------------------------ Coating liquid E1 for forming photo-alignment layer ------------------------------------------------ - 100.00 parts by mass of polymer PA-2 shown below - 0.005 parts by mass of acid generator CPI-110TF shown below - 16.50 parts by mass of isopropyl alcohol - 1072.00 parts by mass of butyl acetate - 268.00 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone ------------------------------------------------

[0182] Polymer PA-2 (weight average molecular weight: 45,000) (In the formula below, the numerical value for each repeating unit represents the content (% by mass) of each repeating unit relative to all repeating units.)

[0183]

[0184] Acid generator CPI-110TF

[0185]

[0186] Composition F1 having the following composition was applied onto the photo-alignment film E1 using a bar coater. The coating film formed on the photo-alignment film E1 was heated to 120°C with hot air, then cooled to 60°C, and then irradiated with 100 mJ / cm2 at a wavelength of 365 nm using a high-pressure mercury lamp under a nitrogen atmosphere. ２ The coating film was irradiated with ultraviolet light of 500 mJ / cm 2 while being heated to 120°C. ２The coating film was irradiated with ultraviolet light of 1000 nm, thereby fixing the alignment of the liquid crystal compound, and an optical film F1-1 having a retardation layer (positive A plate) F1-1 was produced. The thickness of the positive A plate F1-1 was 2.5 μm, and the Re(550) was 144 nm. The positive A plate F1-1 also satisfied the relationship Re(450)≦Re(550)≦Re(650). Re(450) / Re(550) was 0.82. The positive A plate F1-1 corresponds to a so-called λ / 4 plate. ------------------------------------------------ Composition F1 for forming a positive A plate -------------------------------------------------- 30.00 parts by mass of polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-1 described below 30.00 parts by mass of polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-2 described below 27.00 parts by mass of polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-3 described below 8.00 parts by mass of polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-4 described below 5.00 parts by mass of polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-5 described below 0.55 parts by mass of polymerization initiator PI-1 described below 0.06 parts by mass of surfactant KA-1 described below 235.00 parts by mass of cyclopentanone ------------------------------------------------

[0187] Polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-1 (tBu represents a tertiary butyl group)

[0188]

[0189] Polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-2

[0190]

[0191] Polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-3

[0192]

[0193] Polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-4

[0194]

[0195] Polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-5 (Me represents a methyl group)

[0196]

[0197] Polymerization initiator PI-1

[0198]

[0199] Surfactant KA-1 (in the formula below, the mass fraction (wt%) of each repeating unit is 55 / 40 / 5 from the left, and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is 30,000).

[0200]

[0201] <Plasma Treatment> The surface of the optical film F1-1 (the surface on the positive A plate F1-1 side) was subjected to a plasma treatment under atmospheric pressure to form the optical film PL-1. The plasma treatment was carried out using an apparatus configured similar to the plasma generation apparatus described in Example 1 of JP 2018-170183 A. In the plasma generation apparatus, helium gas, oxygen gas, and nitrogen gas were introduced between the electrode and the counter electrode at a volumetric flow ratio of 10 / 0.025 / 0.5, and 6000 W of power was applied to the electrode to generate plasma between the counter electrode. The transport speed of the optical film F1-1 transported between the electrode and the counter electrode was 10.0 m / min. The gas composition of the plasma raw material gas introduced into the plasma generation apparatus (analyzed by gas chromatography) was 94.1 vol% / 0.4 vol% / 5.5 vol% helium gas, oxygen gas, and nitrogen gas.

[0202] <Preparation of Positive C Plate> The above-described cellulose acylate film A1 was used as a temporary support. Composition F2-1 for forming a positive C plate having the following composition was applied onto the cellulose acylate film A1. Next, the composition was heated with hot air at 40°C for 60 seconds to dry the solvent and ripen the liquid crystal compound into an aligned state. Next, the film was irradiated with ultraviolet light (300 mJ / cm) at 40°C under a nitrogen purge with an oxygen concentration of 100 ppm. ２) was performed to fix the alignment of the liquid crystal compound, and by fixing the alignment state, the liquid crystal compound was vertically aligned, thereby producing an optical film F2-1 having a 0.5 μm-thick retardation layer (positive C plate) F2-1. The Rth(550) of the positive C plate F2-1 was −60 nm. -------------------------------- Composition F2-1 for forming a positive C-plate ------------------------------------------------ - 83 parts by mass of the following liquid crystal compound LC-1 - 15 parts by mass of the following liquid crystal compound LC-2 - 2 parts by mass of the following liquid crystal compound LC-3 - 5 parts by mass of urethane monomer (EBECRYL1290, manufactured by Daicel Allnex Corporation) - 5 parts by mass of ethylene oxide-modified trimethylolpropane triacrylate (V#300, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) - 4 parts by mass of the following polymerization initiator (IrgacureOXE01, manufactured by BASF) - 1 part by mass of the following vertical alignment liquid crystal compound promoter S01 - 3 parts by mass of the following polymer (MA-1) - 0.4 parts by mass of the following surfactant KA-16 - 33 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone - methyl isobutyl ketone 534 parts by mass Ethyl propionate 100 parts by mass

[0203] Liquid crystal compound LC-1

[0204]

[0205] Liquid crystal compound LC-2

[0206]

[0207] Liquid crystal compound LC-3

[0208]

[0209] polymerization initiator

[0210] Vertical alignment liquid crystal compound promoter S01

[0211]

[0212] Polymer (MA-1) (In the formula below, the numerical value for each repeating unit represents the content (% by mass) of each repeating unit relative to all repeating units. The weight-average molecular weight (Mw) is 60,000.)

[0213]

[0214] Surfactant KA-16 (in the formula below, the numerical value for each repeating unit represents the content (mass %) of each repeating unit relative to all repeating units. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) is 25,000).

[0215]

[0216] Furthermore, the surface of the optical film F2-1 (the surface on the positive C-plate F2-1 side) was subjected to corona treatment (treatment amount 1200 Wmin / m ２ ) was carried out to prepare an optical film FC-1.

[0217] <Preparation of Circularly Polarizing Plate> (Preparation of Polarizer 1 with Protective Film) The support surface of a cellulose triacetate film TJ25 (manufactured by Fujifilm; thickness: 25 μm) was subjected to alkaline saponification treatment. Specifically, the support was immersed in a 1.5 N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution at 55°C for 2 minutes, washed in a water wash bath at room temperature, and further neutralized with 0.1 N sulfuric acid at 30°C. After neutralization, the support was washed in a water wash bath at room temperature and further dried with hot air at 100°C to obtain a polarizer protective film. A roll-shaped polyvinyl alcohol film was stretched in the MD (machine direction) direction in an iodine aqueous solution and dried to obtain Polarizer 1 with a thickness of 14 μm. The polarizer protective film was attached to both surfaces of Polarizer 1 with PVA glue to prepare Polarizer 1 with protective films.

[0218] (Preparation of UV adhesive 1) UV adhesive 1 was prepared having the following composition. --------------------------------------------------- UV adhesive 1 --------------------------------------------------- CEL2021P (manufactured by Daicel Corporation) 70 parts by mass 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether 20 parts by mass 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether 10 parts by mass CPI-100P 2.25 parts by mass ---------------------------------------------------

[0219] CPI-100P

[0220] (Preparation of adhesive sheet N1) 95 parts by mass of butyl acrylate and 5 parts by mass of acrylic acid were polymerized by solution polymerization to obtain an acrylic copolymer 1 having an average molecular weight of 2,000,000 and a molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) of 3.0. Next, relative to 100 parts by mass of the solid content of the acrylic copolymer 1, 10 parts by mass of a polyfunctional acrylate monomer (Aronix M-315, manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.), 1 part by mass of a photopolymerization initiator (Irgacure 500, manufactured by BASF Corporation), 1 part by mass of trimethylolpropane tolylene diisocyanate (Coronate L, manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Co., Ltd.), and 0.2 parts by mass of a silane coupling agent (KBM-403, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) were mixed to prepare a solution (adhesive composition N1). Next, the prepared pressure-sensitive adhesive composition N1 was applied to a silicone resin-coated PET film (release film), dried at 90°C to remove the solvent, and irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) rays under the following conditions to prepare a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet N1 having a 20 μm-thick pressure-sensitive adhesive layer N1. The storage modulus of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer N1 was 0.6 MPa. (UV irradiation conditions) Fusion Inc. electrodeless lamp H bulb Illuminance: 600 mW / cm ２ ・Light intensity: 150mJ / cm ２ The UV illuminance and light quantity were measured using "UVPF-36" manufactured by Eye Graphics.

[0221] (Preparation of Circularly Polarizing Plate) The retardation layer (positive C plate F2-1) side of the optical film FC-1 prepared above was bonded to the retardation layer (positive A plate F1-1) side of the optical film PL-1 using the UV adhesive 1, and the photo-alignment film and cellulose acylate film A1 on the positive A plate side were removed to obtain an optical laminate 1. The protective film-attached polarizer 1 prepared above was attached to the optical film PL-1 (positive A plate F1-1) side of the optical laminate 1 using the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet N1, and the cellulose acylate film A1 on the positive C plate side was removed to complete the circularly polarizing plate of Example 1. At this time, the polarizers were attached so that the angle between the absorption axis of the polarizer included in the protective film-attached polarizer 1 and the slow axis of the positive A plate F1-1 included in the optical laminate 1 was 45°.

[0222] [Examples 2 to 4] Preparation of retardation film and circularly polarizing plate Optical films PL-2 to PL-4 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the plasma treatment conditions for optical film F1-1 having a positive A plate were changed as shown in the table below. In addition, circularly polarizing plates of Examples 2 to 4 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that optical films PL-2 to PL-4 were used instead of optical film PL-1.

[0223] [Example 5] Preparation of retardation film and circularly polarizing plate Optical film F1-2 having a positive A plate was prepared in the same manner as optical film F1-1 having a positive A plate, except that the positive A plate-forming composition F1 was changed to positive A plate-forming composition F2. Next, optical film PL-5 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 described above, except that optical film F1-2 having a positive A plate was used and the plasma treatment conditions were changed as shown in the table below. Furthermore, a circularly polarizing plate of Example 5 was prepared in the same manner as the polarizing plate preparation method of Example 1, except that optical film PL-5 was used instead of optical film PL-1.

[0224] ------------------------------------------------ Positive A plate forming composition F2------------------------------------------------ 30.00 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-1 mentioned above 30.00 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-2 mentioned above 27.00 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-3 mentioned above 8.00 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-4 mentioned above 5.00 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound LA-5 mentioned above 0.55 parts by mass of the polymerization initiator PI-1 mentioned above 0.06 parts by mass of the surfactant KA-2 mentioned below 235.00 parts by mass of cyclopentanone------------------------------------------------

[0225] Surfactant KA-2 (in the following formula, a, b, c, and d represent the content (mol %) of each repeating unit relative to all repeating units, with a representing 78 mol %, b representing 10 mol %, c representing 11 mol %, and d representing 1 mol %. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) is 13,500.)

[0226]

[0227] [Comparative Example 1] Preparation of retardation film and circularly polarizing plate A circularly polarizing plate of Comparative Example 1 was prepared in the same manner as the polarizing plate preparation method of Example 1, except that optical film F1-1 having a positive A plate prepared in the upper part was used instead of optical film PL-1 without being subjected to plasma treatment.

[0228] [Comparative Examples 2 to 6] Preparation of Retardation Film and Circularly Polarizing Plate Optical films CO-1 to CO-5 were prepared in the same manner as the optical film PL-1 prepared in Example 1, except that the surface of the optical film F1-1 (the surface on the positive A plate F1-1 side) was subjected to the surface treatment conditions (corona treatment) shown below in Table 1 instead of the plasma treatment. Furthermore, circularly polarizing plates of Comparative Examples 2 to 6 were prepared in the same manner as the polarizing plate preparation method of Example 1, except that the optical films CO-1 to CO-5 were used instead of the optical film PL-1.

[0229] [Measurement of Film Properties] [Water Contact Angle] The water contact angle was measured for the surface of the retardation layer (positive A plate) of each prepared optical film (specifically, the plasma-treated surface in Examples 1 to 4, the untreated surface in Comparative Example 1, and the corona-treated surface in Comparative Examples 2 to 6) using a contact angle meter (Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd. DMo-702, temperature 25°C, humidity 60%, waiting time 20 seconds). Based on the obtained results, the samples were classified according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1 below. A: 5° or more and 30° or less B: More than 30° and 35° or less C: More than 35° and 40° or less D: More than 40°

[0230] [Root-mean-square roughness (RMS) of film] A cross-sectional profile was obtained for the surface of the retardation layer (positive A plate) of each prepared optical film (specifically, the plasma-treated surface in Examples 1 to 4, the untreated surface in Comparative Example 1, and the corona-treated surface in Comparative Examples 2 to 6) using an SPA-400 (manufactured by Hitachi High-Techno Science) under measurement conditions of a measurement range of 10 μm × 10 μm, measurement mode: DFM, and measurement frequency: 1 Hz. Based on the obtained cross-sectional profile, the root-mean-square roughness (RMS) was calculated, and the obtained results were classified according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1 below. A: 0.5 nm or more and 2.0 nm or less B: More than 2.0 nm and 3.0 nm or less C: More than 3.0 nm and 4.0 nm or less D: More than 4.0 nm and less than 4.5 nm E: More than 4.5 nm

[0231] [Evaluation of Films and Circularly Polarizing Plates] [Adhesion] Each polarizing plate prepared was cut vertically and horizontally at 1 mm intervals from the surface on the positive C plate side to form 100 grids. Adhesive tape (polyester adhesive tape No. 31B, manufactured by Nitto Denko) was applied to the grids, and the tape was peeled off at an angle of approximately 60° three times. The number of peeled grids was counted, and the results were evaluated according to the following criteria. XPS confirmed that the peel interface was the interface between the cured layer of UV adhesive 1 and the above-mentioned positive A plate. For practical purposes, a rating of "B" or higher is preferable. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0232] A: The number of peeled squares is 20 or less. B: The number of peeled squares is 21 or more and 50 or less. C: The number of peeled squares is 51 or more and 90 or less. D: The number of peeled squares is 91 or more, or the UV adhesive and the surface of the positive A plate do not adhere to each other, making it impossible to produce a polarizing plate.

[0233] [Evaluation of Ghosting When Applied to a Virtual Reality Display Device] <Fabrication of a Virtual Reality Display Device> A virtual reality display device "VIVE FLOW" manufactured by HTC was disassembled to remove the image display device. "VIVE FLOW" is a virtual reality display device that employs a pancake lens, and the image display device uses a liquid crystal display device that emits circularly polarized light using a circular polarizer attached to its surface. Next, the circular polarizer of this image display device was removed and replaced with each of the circular polarizers fabricated in the above-described Examples and Comparative Examples. The pancake lens was then installed while adjusting the distance so that the virtual reality display image was properly displayed, thereby completing a virtual reality display device.

[0234] For each virtual reality display device manufactured, a black and white checkered pattern was displayed on the image display device, and the degree of ghosting was visually evaluated according to the following criteria. When ghosting occurs, a double image is visible, and the contrast of the area where the double image is visible decreases. In practice, a rating of "C" or higher is preferable. The results are shown in Table 1 below. A: No double image is visible at all B: A slight double image is visible, but not bothersome C: A double image is visible, but it is not a problem in practice D: A clear double image is visible

[0235] Table 1 is shown below.

[0236]

[0237] Furthermore, in Example 2, the film surface before and after the plasma treatment was analyzed by XPS. The measurement procedure using XPS was as described above. Before the plasma treatment, the fourth peak was not present, whereas after the plasma treatment, the fourth peak was present, indicating that the plasma treatment had caused SiO 2 to form on the film surface. ２ was formed and was confirmed to be present on the film surface.

[0238] From the results in Table 1, it is clear that the film of the example (positive A plate) has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers and is less likely to cause ghosts when applied to a virtual reality display device. In addition, the SiO2 formed on the film surface by plasma treatment ２ It was confirmed that even when a film having a surface roughness of 3.0 nm or less (preferably 2.0 nm or less) is present between the film and an adjacent layer, the film of the example (positive A plate) exhibits excellent adhesion to the adjacent layer. Furthermore, the results in Table 1 confirm that when the root mean square roughness (RMS) of the film surface is 3.0 nm or less (preferably 2.0 nm or less), ghosting is less likely to occur when the film is applied to a virtual reality display device. It was also confirmed that when the coating film conveying speed during plasma treatment is 3.0 m / min or more (preferably 5.0 m / min or more), the root mean square roughness of the film surface can be adjusted to an appropriate numerical range. It was also confirmed from the results in Table 1 that when the water contact angle of the film surface is 30° or less, the adhesion to the adjacent layer is superior. It was also confirmed that when the coating film conveying speed during plasma treatment is less than 10.0 m / min, the water contact angle of the film surface can be adjusted to an appropriate numerical range.

[0239] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Laminate 12 Liquid crystal layer 14 Alignment film 16 Support 20 Polarizing plate 22 Polarizer 24 First adhesive layer 26 First liquid crystal layer 28 Second adhesive layer 30 Second liquid crystal layer 40 Virtual reality display device 42 Image display device 44 Circular polarizing plate 46 Half mirror 48 λ / 4 plate 50 Reflective polarizer 52 Absorptive polarizer

Claims

1. A film formed using a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound and a leveling agent containing a silicon atom, wherein the water contact angle of the film surface is 35° or less, and the root mean square roughness of the film surface is 4.0 nm or less.

2. The film according to claim 1, wherein the leveling agent has a group represented by the following formula (IIa): In the formula, R Ｂ and R Ｃ Each independently represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, which may have a substituent. n represents 2 or 3. * represents a bonding position. Ｃ may be the same or different from each other.

3. The film according to claim 2, wherein the leveling agent has a repeating unit represented by the following formula (a2): In the formula, R １ and R ２ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. ３ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. １ is —O— or —NR Ｚ - represents. Ｚ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. ２１ represents a divalent linking group. Ｂ and R Ｃ each independently represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, each of which may have a substituent; n represents 2 or 3. Ｃ may be the same or different from each other.

4. The film according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the root mean square roughness of the film surface is 3.0 nm or less.

5. A polarizing plate comprising a polarizer, an adhesive layer, and the film according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. An image display device comprising the polarizing plate according to claim 5.

7. The image display device according to claim 6, which is an organic electroluminescence display device.

8. The image display device according to claim 6, which is a liquid crystal display device.

9. A virtual reality display device comprising the polarizing plate of claim 5.

10. A method for producing a film, comprising: step 1 forming a coating film using a liquid crystal composition containing a liquid crystal compound and a leveling agent containing a silicon atom; and step 2 subjecting the surface of the coating film obtained in step 1 to plasma treatment.

11. The method for producing a film according to claim 10, wherein step 2 is a step of performing plasma treatment on the surface of the coating film while conveying the coating film using a plasma generating device that is supplied with power to generate plasma between an electrode and a counter electrode, the power being 100 to 8000 W, and the conveying speed of the coating film being 1.0 to 100 m / min.

12. The method for producing a film according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the plasma raw material gas used in the plasma treatment is a mixed gas containing at least one reactive gas selected from oxygen gas and nitrogen gas and a rare gas, the reactive gas content is 0.1 to 10.0 vol% relative to the total volume of the mixed gas, and the rare gas content is 50.0 vol% or more relative to the total volume of the mixed gas.

13. The method for producing a film according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the leveling agent has a group represented by the following formula (IIa): In the formula, R Ｂ and R Ｃ Each independently represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, which may have a substituent. n represents 2 or 3. * represents a bonding position. Ｃ may be the same or different from each other.

14. The method for producing a film according to claim 13, wherein the leveling agent has a repeating unit represented by the following formula (a2): In the formula, R １ and R ２ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. ３ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. １ is —O— or —NR Ｚ - represents. Ｚ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. ２１ represents a divalent linking group. Ｂ and R Ｃ each independently represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, each of which may have a substituent; n represents 2 or 3. Ｃ may be the same or different from each other.

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