Liquid crystal composition, liquid crystal cured layer, optical film, polarizing plate, and image display device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a liquid crystal composition with which it is possible to manufacture a liquid crystal cured layer having suppressed surface unevenness and having excellent adhesiveness with an adjacent layer, a liquid crystal cured layer, an optical film, a polarizing plate, and an image display device. A liquid crystal composition according to the present invention contains a surfactant having a silicon atom and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of the surfactant is 920 or more and 3020 or less.

Description

Liquid crystal composition, cured liquid crystal layer, optical film, polarizing plate and image display device

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition, a cured liquid crystal layer, an optical film, a polarizing plate, and an image display device.

[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, the use of optical films having a liquid crystal cured layer instead of stretched birefringent films has been proposed.

[0003] As such a cured liquid crystal layer, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a liquid crystal layer obtained by curing a composition containing a polymer having a mesogen group in a branched structure and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound (see, for example, [Claim 1], [Claim 8], [Claim 9], [Claim 11], etc.).

[0004] International Publication No. 2016 / 009648

[0005] Recently, due to their recalcitrance and toxicity, etc., the regulation of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl compounds and polyfluoroalkyl compounds) has been promoted, and the use of surfactants that do not use fluorine atoms, typically, substitute materials containing silicon atoms, has been studied.The present inventors have studied conventionally known liquid crystal cured layers, such as the liquid crystal layer described in Patent Document 1, and have found that when using a liquid crystal composition containing a surfactant having silicon atoms and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, depending on the structure of the surfactant, surface unevenness may occur in the produced liquid crystal cured layer, or the produced liquid crystal cured layer may have poor adhesion to adjacent layers, and it is difficult to achieve both the suppression of surface unevenness and good adhesion to adjacent layers.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition, a cured liquid crystal layer, an optical film, a polarizing plate, and an image display device, which can produce a cured liquid crystal layer that is suppressed in surface unevenness and has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers.

[0007] As a result of intensive research to achieve the above object, the present inventors have found that by using, as a surfactant having a silicon atom, a surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of 920 or more and 3020 or less, it is possible to produce a liquid crystal cured layer that suppresses surface unevenness and has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers, and have completed the present invention. That is, the present inventors have found that the above object can be achieved by the following configuration.

[0008] [1] A liquid crystal composition containing a surfactant having a silicon atom and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, wherein the surfactant has a saturated adsorption amount A at the gas-liquid interface of 920 or more and 3020 or less. [2] The liquid crystal composition according to [1], wherein the saturated adsorption amount A at the gas-liquid interface is 1250 or more and 2500 or less. [3] The liquid crystal composition according to [1], wherein the saturated adsorption amount A at the gas-liquid interface is 1400 or more and 1650 or less. [4] The liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the surfactant has a structure represented by formula (S) described below. [5] The liquid crystal composition according to [4], wherein the surfactant is a polymer having a repeating unit A represented by formula (A) described below. [6] The liquid crystal composition according to [5], wherein the surfactant is a copolymer further having a repeating unit B containing a polymerizable group. [7] The liquid crystal composition according to [6], wherein the polymerizable group is an acryloyloxy group. [8] A cured liquid crystal layer obtained by fixing the alignment state of the liquid crystal composition according to any one of [1] to [7]. [9] An optical film having the liquid crystal cured layer according to [8].

[10] A polarizing plate having the optical film according to [9] and a polarizer.

[11] An image display device having the optical film according to [9] or the polarizing plate according to

[10] .

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid crystal composition, a cured liquid crystal layer, an optical film, a polarizing plate, and an image display device, which can produce a cured liquid crystal layer that is suppressed in surface unevenness and has excellent adhesion to adjacent layers.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating a method for calculating the saturated adsorption amount A at the gas-liquid interface, and shows the relationship between the surface tension (Y) of a liquid crystal composition and the natural logarithm of the molar concentration (X) of the surfactant relative to the solvent contained in the liquid crystal composition.

[0011] The present invention will be described in detail below. The following description of the constituent elements may be based on a representative embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In this specification, a numerical range expressed using "to" means a range that includes the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the upper and lower limits. In this specification, the upper or lower limit of a numerical range described in a stepwise manner may be replaced with the upper or lower limit of another stepwise manner. In this specification, the upper or lower limit of a numerical range described in a stepwise manner may be replaced with a value shown in the Examples. In this specification, each component may be a single substance corresponding to the component, or two or more substances may be used in combination. When two or more substances are used in combination for each component, the content of that component refers to the total content of the substances used in combination, unless otherwise specified. In addition, in this specification, "(meth)acrylate" is a notation representing "acrylate" or "methacrylate", "(meth)acrylic" is a notation representing "acrylic" or "methacrylic", and "(meth)acryloyl" is a notation representing "acryloyl" or "methacryloyl". In addition, the bonding direction of the divalent group (e.g., -O-CO-) represented in this specification is not particularly limited, and for example, "L １ -L ２ -L ３ In the bond ２ When is —O—CO—, L １ The position where it is bonded to the side is *1, L ３ If the position bonded to the side is *2, then L ２ may be *1-O-CO-*2 or *1-CO-O-*2.

[0012] 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) 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).

[0013] In this specification, examples of the substituent (monovalent substituent) include the substituents described below in Substituent Group A. In this specification, the phrase "optionally having a substituent" includes not only an embodiment in which no substituent is present, but also an embodiment in which one or more substituents are present. <Substituent Group A> Examples of the substituent include halogen atoms (for example, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, and bromine atoms, preferably chlorine atoms and fluorine atoms, and more preferably fluorine atoms); alkyl groups (preferably linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl groups having 1 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as linear alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms (for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, and n-hexyl), branched alkyl groups having 3 to 6 carbon atoms (for example, isopropyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, neopentyl, isohexyl, and 3-methylpentyl), and cyclic alkyl groups having 3 to 12 carbon atoms (for example, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 1-norbornyl, and 1-adamantyl)); alkenyl groups (preferably alkenyl groups having 2 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 18 carbon atoms, such as vinyl groups, allyl groups, 1-butenyl groups, and 2-butenyl groups); alkynyl groups (preferably alkynyl groups having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms, such as ethynyl groups, 1-propynyl groups, propargyl groups, 1-butynyl groups, and 2-butynyl groups); aryl groups (preferably aryl groups having 6 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 24 carbon atoms, such as phenyl groups, oligoaryl groups (naphthyl groups, anthryl groups), phenanthrenyl groups, fluorenyl groups, pyrenyl groups, triphenylenyl groups, and biphenyl groups); Heteroaryl groups (preferably heterocyclic groups having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, such as a 2-thienyl group, a 4-pyridyl group, a 2-furyl group, a 2-pyrimidinyl group, a 1-pyridyl group, a 2-benzothiazolyl group, a 1-imidazolyl group, a 1-pyrazolyl group, or a benzotriazol-1-yl group);arylalkyl groups (preferably arylalkyl groups having 7 to 15 carbon atoms, for example, benzyl group, phenethyl group, methylbenzyl group, phenylpropyl group, 1-methylphenylethyl group, phenylbutyl group, 2-methylphenylpropyl group, tetrahydronaphthyl group, naphthylmethyl group, naphthylethyl group, indenyl group, fluorenyl group, anthracenylmethyl group (anthrylmethyl group), phenanthrenylmethyl group (phenanthrylmethyl group)); silyl groups (preferably silyl groups having 3 to 38 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 18 carbon atoms, for example, trimethylsilyl group, triethylsilyl group, tributylsilyl group, t-butyldimethylsilyl group, t-hexyldimethylsilyl group); hydroxy groups; cyano groups; nitro groups; morpholino groups; Alkoxy groups (preferably alkoxy groups having 1 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, 1-butoxy, 2-butoxy, isopropoxy, t-butoxy, dodecyloxy, and cycloalkyloxy groups (for example, cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy)); aryloxy groups (preferably aryloxy groups having 6 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, phenoxy and 1-naphthoxy); alkenyloxy groups (preferably alkenyloxy groups having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, for example, vinyloxy, 1-propenyloxy, 2-n-propenyloxy (allyloxy), 1-n-butenyloxy, and prenyloxy); heterocyclic oxy groups (preferably heterocyclic oxy groups having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, such as a 1-phenyltetrazole-5-oxy group or a 2-tetrahydropyranyloxy group); silyloxy groups (preferably silyloxy groups having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, such as a trimethylsilyloxy group, a t-butyldimethylsilyloxy group or a diphenylmethylsilyloxy group); acyloxy groups (preferably acyloxy groups having 2 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms, such as an acetoxy group, a pivaloyloxy group, a benzoyloxy group, a dodecanoyloxy group, an acryloyloxy group or a methacryloyloxy group);hydroxyalkyleneoxy groups (preferably hydroxyalkyleneoxy groups having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, for example, a hydroxyethyleneoxy group); alkoxycarbonyloxy groups (preferably alkoxycarbonyloxy groups having 2 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, an ethoxycarbonyloxy group, a t-butoxycarbonyloxy group, or a cycloalkyloxycarbonyloxy group (for example, a cyclohexyloxycarbonyloxy group)); aryloxycarbonyloxy groups (preferably aryloxycarbonyloxy groups having 7 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 7 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a phenoxycarbonyloxy group); carbamoyloxy groups (preferably carbamoyloxy groups having 1 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, an N,N-dimethylcarbamoyloxy group, an N-butylcarbamoyloxy group, an N-phenylcarbamoyloxy group, or an N-ethyl-N-phenylcarbamoyloxy group); sulfamoyloxy groups (preferably sulfamoyloxy groups having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as an N,N-diethylsulfamoyloxy group or an N-propylsulfamoyloxy group); alkylsulfonyloxy groups (preferably alkylsulfonyloxy groups having 1 to 38 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a methylsulfonyloxy group, a hexadecylsulfonyloxy group or a cyclohexylsulfonyloxy group); arylsulfonyloxy groups (preferably arylsulfonyloxy groups having 6 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a phenylsulfonyloxy group); acyl groups (preferably acyl groups having 1 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a formyl group, an acetyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, a pivaloyl group, a benzoyl group, a tetradecanoyl group or a cyclohexanoyl group); an alkoxycarbonyl group (preferably an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a methoxycarbonyl group, an ethoxycarbonyl group, an octadecyloxycarbonyl group, a cyclohexyloxycarbonyl group, or a 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylcyclohexyloxycarbonyl group);an aryloxycarbonyl group (preferably an aryloxycarbonyl group having 7 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 7 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a phenoxycarbonyl group); a carbamoyl group (preferably a carbamoyl group having 1 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as a carbamoyl group, N,N-diethylcarbamoyl group, N-ethyl-N-octylcarbamoyl group, N,N-dibutylcarbamoyl group, N-propylcarbamoyl group, N-phenylcarbamoyl group, N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl group, or N,N-dicyclohexylcarbamoyl group); an amino group (preferably an amino group having 32 or less carbon atoms, more preferably 24 or less carbon atoms, such as an amino group, methylamino group, N,N-dimethylamino group, N,N-dibutylamino group, tetradecylamino group, 2-ethylhexylamino group, or cyclohexylamino group); anilino group (preferably an anilino group having 6 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, an anilino group, an N-methylanilino group); heterocyclic amino group (preferably a heterocyclic amino group having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms, for example, a 4-pyridylamino group); carbonamido group (preferably a carbonamido group having 2 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, an acetamido group, a benzamido group, a tetradecanamido group, a pivaloylamido group, a cyclohexanamido group); ureido group (preferably a ureido group having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a ureido group, an N,N-dimethylureido group, an N-phenylureido group); imido group (preferably an imido group having 36 or less carbon atoms, more preferably 24 or less carbon atoms, for example, an N-succinimido group, an N-phthalimido group); an alkoxycarbonylamino group (preferably an alkoxycarbonylamino group having 2 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a methoxycarbonylamino group, an ethoxycarbonylamino group, a t-butoxycarbonylamino group, an octadecyloxycarbonylamino group, or a cyclohexyloxycarbonylamino group); an aryloxycarbonylamino group (preferably an aryloxycarbonylamino group having 7 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 7 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a phenoxycarbonylamino group);sulfonamido groups (preferably sulfonamido groups having 1 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, methanesulfonamido groups, butanesulfonamido groups, benzenesulfonamido groups, hexadecanesulfonamido groups, and cyclohexanesulfonamido groups); sulfamoylamino groups (preferably sulfamoylamino groups having 1 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, N,N-dipropylsulfamoylamino groups, and N-ethyl-N-dodecylsulfamoylamino groups); azo groups (preferably azo groups having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, phenylazo groups and 3-pyrazolylazo groups); alkylthio groups (preferably alkylthio groups having 1 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, methylthio groups, ethylthio groups, octylthio groups, and cyclohexylthio groups); an arylthio group (preferably an arylthio group having 6 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably an arylthio group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a phenylthio group); a heterocyclic thio group (preferably a heterocyclic thio group having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably a heterocyclic thio group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, for example, a 2-benzothiazolylthio group, a 2-pyridylthio group, or a 1-phenyltetrazolylthio group); an alkylsulfinyl group (preferably an alkylsulfinyl group having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylsulfinyl group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a dodecanesulfinyl group); an arylsulfinyl group (preferably an arylsulfinyl group having 6 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably an arylsulfinyl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a phenylsulfinyl group); alkylsulfonyl groups (preferably alkylsulfonyl groups having 1 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, propylsulfonyl, butylsulfonyl, isopropylsulfonyl, 2-ethylhexylsulfonyl, hexadecylsulfonyl, octylsulfonyl, and cyclohexylsulfonyl groups); arylsulfonyl groups (preferably arylsulfonyl groups having 6 to 48 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, phenylsulfonyl, and 1-naphthylsulfonyl groups);sulfamoyl groups (preferably sulfamoyl groups having 32 or less carbon atoms, more preferably 24 or less carbon atoms, for example, a sulfamoyl group, an N,N-dipropylsulfamoyl group, an N-ethyl-N-dodecylsulfamoyl group, an N-ethyl-N-phenylsulfamoyl group, an N-cyclohexylsulfamoyl group, or an N-(2-ethylhexyl)sulfamoyl group); phosphonyl groups (preferably phosphonyl groups having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a phenoxyphosphonyl group, an octyloxyphosphonyl group, or a phenylphosphonyl group); phosphinoylamino groups (preferably phosphinoylamino groups having 1 to 32 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 24 carbon atoms, for example, a diethoxyphosphinoylamino group, or a dioctyloxyphosphinoylamino group); epoxy groups; —NHCOCH; ３ ;-SO ２ NHC ２ H ４ OCH ３ ;-NHSO ２ CH ３ and the like, and two or more of these may be combined. These substituents may be further substituted with other substituents. When two or more substituents are present, they may be the same or different. If possible, they may be bonded to each other to form a ring.

[0014] [Liquid Crystal Composition] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention is a liquid crystal composition containing a surfactant having a silicon atom (hereinafter also referred to as "silicon-based surfactant") and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The silicon-based surfactant contained in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention has an air-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of 920 or more and 3020 or less.

[0015] <Gas-Liquid Interface Saturated Adsorption A> The gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption A of a silicon-based surfactant is a value calculated using the following procedure and method. First, samples are prepared by blending the silicon-based surfactant to be calculated in an amount ranging from 0.01 part by mass to 1.0 part by mass in increments of 0.01 part by mass with the liquid crystal composition for measuring the gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption described below. Next, 50 mL of each prepared sample is taken, and the surface tension is measured three times using the Wilhelmy method under an environment of 25°C and 60% RH (relative humidity). Specifically, the surface tension is measured using a CBVP-A3 automatic surface tensiometer manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd., using a platinum plate as a probe according to the Wilhelmy method. The arithmetic mean of the three measurements is used as the surface tension (Y) of the liquid crystal composition. Next, as shown in Figure 1, a graph was created in which the surface tension (Y) of the liquid crystal composition used in each sample was plotted against the natural logarithm (lnX) of the molar concentration (X) of the silicon-based surfactant relative to acetone (solvent). Next, the saturated adsorption amount A at the gas-liquid interface was calculated from the linear region (i.e., the following equation representing the dashed line in Figure 1) in which the gradient of the natural logarithm (lnX) versus surface tension (Y) is minimum within the range below the natural logarithm (lnXc) corresponding to the lower limit (Yc) of surface tension (Y): Y = (-A / RT)lnX + B, where R is 8.314, T is 298.15, and B is an arbitrary constant.

[0016] Liquid crystal composition for measuring saturated adsorption amount at the gas-liquid interface ------------------------------------------------ Liquid crystal compound X (listed below) 100.0 parts by mass Acetone (solvent) 426.0 parts by mass ----------------------------------------------------------------

[0017] Liquid crystal compound X (a mixture of the following liquid crystal compounds (RA), (RB), and (RC) in a mass ratio of 83:15:2, where Me in the structures of the following liquid crystal compounds (RB) and (RC) represents a methyl group).

[0018] In the present invention, as described above, by using a silicon-based surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of 920 or more and 3020 or less, surface unevenness is suppressed and a cured liquid crystal layer having excellent adhesion to adjacent layers can be produced. The reasons for these effects are not clear in detail, but the inventors speculate as follows. First, as shown in Comparative Example 1, it is clear that when a silicon-based surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of less than 920 is used, surface unevenness cannot be suppressed. Furthermore, as shown in Comparative Example 2, it is clear that when a silicon-based surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of more than 3020 is used, surface unevenness is suppressed but adhesion to adjacent layers is poor. This is thought to be due to the strong unevenness of the silicon-based surfactant being concentrated on the air interface side (i.e., the side where the adjacent layer will be formed later) during the formation of the cured liquid crystal layer (i.e., during application of the liquid crystal composition), which reduces the hardness of the surface layer region of the cured liquid crystal layer on the adjacent layer side, resulting in stress concentration during use, etc. Therefore, in the present invention, it is believed that surface unevenness can be suppressed by first using a silicon-based surfactant whose gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A is 920 or more. Furthermore, by using a silicon-based surfactant whose gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A is 3020 or less, uneven distribution of the silicon-based surfactant toward the air interface side (i.e., the side where an adjacent layer will be formed later) is alleviated, and a portion of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound can be present on the air interface side, thereby suppressing a decrease in hardness in the surface layer region on the adjacent layer side of the liquid crystal cured layer, and as a result, it is believed that the area where stress is concentrated is reduced and adhesion to the adjacent layer is improved.

[0019] In the present invention, the gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of the silicon-based surfactant is preferably 1,250 or more and 2,500 or less, and more preferably 1,400 or more and 1,650 or less, for the reasons that the surface unevenness of the cured liquid crystal layer is further suppressed and the adhesion between the cured liquid crystal layer and the adjacent layer is further improved (hereinafter abbreviated as "the reason why the effects of the present invention are better").

[0020] The silicon-based surfactant and polymerizable liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention, as well as optional components, will be described below.

[0021] [Silicon-Based Surfactant] The silicon-based surfactant contained in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is a silicon-based surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of 920 or more and 3020 or less. The silicon-based surfactant may be a polymeric compound having a repeating unit in its chemical structure, or a low-molecular-weight compound having no repeating unit in its chemical structure. The silicon atom content (mass %) of the silicon-based surfactant is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 to 30 mass %, and more preferably 15 to 22 mass %, relative to the mass of the silicon-based surfactant. When the silicon-based surfactant is a polymer having a repeating unit A represented by formula (A) described below, the silicon atom content can be calculated using the following formula: Silicon Atom Content (mass %) = n(Si) × 28.1 / M(Si) × R(Si), where n(Si): number of silicon atoms per repeating unit, 28.1: atomic weight of silicon atom, M(Si): molecular weight of the repeating unit containing a silicon atom, and R(Si): mass % of the surfactant containing the repeating unit containing a silicon atom.

[0022] In the present invention, the silicon-based surfactant preferably has a structure represented by the following formula (S), because this provides better effects of the present invention.

[0023] In the formula (S), * represents a bonding position, and n represents an integer of 11 to 130. Ｓ１ ~R Ｓ５ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, and a plurality of R Ｓ１ may be the same or different, and multiple R Ｓ２ may be the same or different.

[0024] As mentioned above, n in the formula (S) represents an integer of 11 or more and 130 or less, preferably an integer of 15 or more and 70 or less, and more preferably an integer of 15 or more and 65 or less.

[0025] R in the above formula (S) Ｓ１ ~R Ｓ５Examples of the alkyl group represented by one embodiment of R include a linear alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and a branched or cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 18 carbon atoms, and among these, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms is preferred. Ｓ１ ~R Ｓ５ Examples of the aryl group represented by one embodiment of formula (S) include aryl groups having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and among these, a phenyl group, an α-methylphenyl group, and a naphthyl group are preferred, with a phenyl group being more preferred. Ｓ１ ~R Ｓ４ As R in the above formula (S), a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferable, a methyl group or an ethyl group is more preferable, and a methyl group is even more preferable. Ｓ５ As the alkyl group, a linear alkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms is preferred, a propyl group or a butyl group is more preferred, and a butyl group is even more preferred.

[0026] In the present invention, because the effect of the present invention is more excellent, it is preferable that the silicon-based surfactant is a polymer having a repeating unit that contains the structure represented by the above formula (S) in its side chain.Here, the structure of the main chain of the repeating unit is not particularly limited, and can be a known structure, for example, a skeleton selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic, styrene, siloxane, cycloolefin, methylpentene, amide and aromatic ester is preferred.Among these, a skeleton selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic, siloxane and cycloolefin is more preferred, and a (meth)acrylic skeleton is even more preferred.

[0027] <Repeating Unit A> In the present invention, the silicon-based surfactant is preferably a polymer having a repeating unit A represented by the following formula (A), because the effects of the present invention are particularly excellent.

[0028] In the above formula (A), R Ａ１ and R Ａ２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Ａ３ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ａ１ is —O—, —S—, or —NRＡ４ represents -, and R Ａ４ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ａ２ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group, and Rh represents a substituent having one or more structures represented by the above formula (S).

[0029] R in the above formula (A) Ａ１ and R Ａ２ As described above, each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Ａ１ and R Ａ２ Examples of the alkyl group represented by one embodiment of R include a linear alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and a branched or cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 18 carbon atoms. Among these, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred, a methyl group or an ethyl group is more preferred, and a methyl group is even more preferred. Ａ１ and R Ａ２ are preferably all hydrogen atoms.

[0030] R in the above formula (A) Ａ３ As described above, R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ａ３ Examples of the substituent represented by one embodiment of R include the substituents described in the above-mentioned Substituent Group A, among which an alkyl group is preferred, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferred, a methyl group or an ethyl group is further preferred, and a methyl group is particularly preferred. Ａ３ is preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

[0031] L in the above formula (A) Ａ１ As described above, is —O—, —S—, or —NR Ａ４ represents -, and R Ａ４ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ａ４ Examples of the substituent represented by one embodiment of the formula (I) include the substituents described in the above-mentioned group A of substituents, among which an alkyl group is preferred, a linear alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferred, a methyl group or an ethyl group is further preferred, and a methyl group is particularly preferred. Ａ１ As the group, —O— or —NR Ａ４It is preferably —, more preferably —O— or —NH—, and further preferably —O—.

[0032] L in the above formula (A) Ａ２ As described above, L represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Ａ２ Examples of the divalent linking group represented by one embodiment of the formula (1) include a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent. The aliphatic hydrocarbon group is preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. In addition, -CH ２ One or more of the - may be independently substituted with a group selected from -O-, -S-, -CO-, and -N(Q)-. The substitution with these groups does not include two or more -CH ２ - may be substituted. Q represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. L Ａ２ is preferably an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or *-(L-O)q-*. * represents a bonding position. q represents an integer of 1 to 8. L 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. When q is an integer of 2 to 8, the multiple Ls may be the same or different.

[0033] Also, L Ａ２ With regard to the divalent linking group represented by one embodiment of the formula (I), examples of the substituent that may be possessed by a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and the like, and the substituent represented by one embodiment of Q, include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among them, for example, 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.

[0034] As described above, Rh in the above formula (A) represents a substituent having one or more structures represented by the above formula (S) (hereinafter also referred to as "substituent Rh"). Suitable examples of the substituent Rh include groups represented by the following formula (R-1): *-L Ａ３ -[Structure represented by formula (S)]m (R-1)

[0035] In the above formula (R-1), * represents L in the above formula (A). Ａ２ represents the bonding position with the formula (S). In addition, m represents an integer of 1 to 4. When m is an integer of 2 to 4, the structures represented by the formula (S) may be the same or different. Ａ３ represents a linking group having a valence of m+1. However, when m is 1, L Ａ３ may be a single bond.

[0036] In the above formula (R-1), m is preferably an integer of 1 to 3, more preferably 1 or 2, and even more preferably 1.

[0037] L in the above formula (R-1) Ａ３ Suitable examples of the (m+1)-valent linking group represented by one aspect of the formula (1) 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. Examples of the substituent which the hydrocarbon group may have include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among these, 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. Examples of the heteroatom which may substitute some of the carbon atoms include a silicon atom, an oxygen atom, and a nitrogen atom.

[0038] L Ａ３ When m is 1, it is preferably a single bond, when m is 2 it is preferably a trivalent linking group represented by the following formula K-1-L, and when m is 3 it is preferably a tetravalent linking group represented by the following formula K-2-L. In the following formulas, * represents L in the above formula (A). Ａ２ ** represents the bonding position with * in the above formula (S).

[0039]

[0040] Specific examples of the repeating unit A include the repeating units shown below. In the repeating units shown below, n represents an integer of 11 or more and 130 or less, similar to n in formula (S) above, and the following repeating units are considered to be exemplified by each integer of 11 or more and 130 or less that n takes.

[0041]

[0042] When the silicon-based surfactant is a polymer having repeating units A, it may have one type of repeating unit A alone or two or more types of repeating units A. The content of repeating units A is preferably 30 to 100% by mass, more preferably 40 to 80% by mass, and even more preferably 45 to 75% by mass, based on all repeating units (100% by mass) constituting the main chain of the polymer.

[0043] <Repeating Unit B> In the present invention, the silicon-based surfactant is preferably a copolymer having the repeating unit B containing a polymerizable group in addition to the repeating unit A, because this improves the adhesion between the cured liquid crystal layer and the adjacent layer.

[0044] Here, the polymerizable group contained in the repeating unit B is not particularly limited, but a polymerizable group capable of radical polymerization or cation polymerization is preferred. As the radical polymerizable group, known radical polymerizable groups can be used, and preferred examples include an acryloyloxy group or a methacryloyloxy group. In this case, the acryloyloxy group is generally known to have a faster polymerization rate, and from the viewpoint of improving productivity, an acryloyloxy group is preferred, but a methacryloyloxy group can also be used as the polymerizable group. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving adhesive strength with adjacent layers, the polymerizable group is more preferably an acryloyloxy group. As the cationically polymerizable group, known cationically polymerizable groups can be used, and specific examples include an alicyclic ether group, a cyclic acetal group, a cyclic lactone group, a cyclic thioether group, a spiro orthoester group, and a vinyloxy group. Among these, an alicyclic ether group or a vinyloxy group is preferred, and an epoxy group, an oxetanyl group, or a vinyloxy group is particularly preferred. Particularly preferred examples of the polymerizable group include polymerizable groups represented by any one of the following formulae (P-1) to (P-20).

[0045]

[0046] The number of polymerizable groups contained in the repeating unit B is 1 or more, preferably 1 to 3, and more preferably 1 or 2.

[0047] The repeating unit B is preferably a repeating unit represented by the following formula (B) in that it has better compatibility with the polymerizable liquid crystal compound described below.

[0048] In the above formula (B), R Ｂ１ and R Ｂ２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Ｂ３ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｂ１ is —O—, —S—, or —NR Ｂ４ represents -, and R Ｂ４ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｂ２represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. P represents a polymerizable group represented by any one of the above formulas (P-1) to (P-20). Here, R in the above formula (B) Ｂ１ , R Ｂ２ , R Ｂ３ , L Ｂ１ and L Ｂ２ are R in the above formula (A), Ａ１ , R Ａ２ , R Ａ３ , L Ａ１ and L Ａ２ P is preferably a polymerizable group represented by the above formula (P-1) or (P-2), more preferably a polymerizable group represented by the above formula (P-1).

[0049] Specific examples of the repeating unit B 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).

[0050]

[0051] When the silicon-based surfactant is a copolymer having repeating unit B, it may have one type of repeating unit B alone or two or more types of repeating unit B. The content of repeating unit B is preferably 1 to 60% by mass, more preferably 10 to 50% by mass, and even more preferably 20 to 40% by mass, based on all repeating units (100% by mass) constituting the main chain of the copolymer.

[0052] <Repeating Unit C> In the present invention, for the reason that the effects of the present invention are more excellent, the silicon-based surfactant is preferably a copolymer having a repeating unit C containing a mesogen group together with the above-mentioned repeating unit A, or together with the above-mentioned repeating unit A and repeating unit B. Here, for the reason that the adhesion between the cured liquid crystal layer and an adjacent layer is better, the repeating unit C preferably contains, together with the mesogen group, a functional group capable of forming a covalent complex with a hydroxyl group, and more preferably contains a boronic acid group or a boronic ester group.

[0053] Here, known mesogenic groups can be used as the mesogenic 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 mesogenic 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. Among these, the mesogenic group is preferably a group having an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an alicyclic group, which may have a substituent; more preferably a group having 2 to 4 aromatic hydrocarbon groups, which may have a substituent; and even more preferably a group having 2 to 3 aromatic hydrocarbon groups, which may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A. Among them, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkyl ester group, or an acetyl group is preferable, and a methyl group, a tert-butyl group, a methoxy group, or a methyl ester group is more preferable.

[0054] The mesogenic group is preferably the following: １１ -L １１ ) p-Cy １２ - * (M1-A)

[0055] In formula (M1-A), * represents a bonding position.

[0056] In formula (M1-A), p 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 1 or 2.

[0057] In formula (M1-A), Cy １１ and Cy １２ each independently represents a divalent cyclic group which may have a substituent. The divalent cyclic group may be either a monocyclic or polycyclic group, and a monocyclic group is preferred. 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] Examples of the substituent that the divalent cyclic group may have include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among these, examples 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.

[0060] In formula (M1-A), L １１ each 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.

[0061] As the repeating unit C, a repeating unit represented by the following formula (C) is preferred in terms of good compatibility with the polymerizable liquid crystal compound described below.

[0062] In the above formula (C), R Ｃ１ and R Ｃ２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Ｃ３ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｃ１ is —O—, —S—, or —NRＣ４ represents -, and R Ｃ４ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ｃ２ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Mes represents a mesogenic group represented by the above formula (M1-A). T represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and may be linked to the main chain of another polymer. Here, R in the above formula (C) Ｃ１ , R Ｃ２ , R Ｃ３ , L Ｃ１ and L Ｃ２ are R in the above formula (A), Ａ１ , R Ａ２ , R Ａ３ , L Ａ１ and L Ａ２ Examples of the above-described examples are the same as those described above.

[0063] As described above, T in the above formula (C) represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and may be linked to the main chain of another polymer. Examples of the substituent include those described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, among which are halogen atoms, cyano groups, nitro groups, hydroxy groups, alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkylthio groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyloxy groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms (ROC(O)-: R is an alkyl group), acyloxy groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, acylamino groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonylamino groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, sulfonylamino groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, sulfamoyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, carbamoyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, sulfinyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, trialkylsilyloxy groups having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, ureido groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and (meth)acryloyloxy group-containing groups. Furthermore, T can be a boronic acid group (-B(OH) ２ ) and a boronic ester group (—B(R Ｔ１ ) ２ ) can also be mentioned. Ｔ１R 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, with a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a substituent being 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. R Ｔ１ R may be bonded to each other to form a ring. Ｔ１ The number of members in the ring formed by bonding together is preferably 4 to 8, and more preferably 5 to 6.

[0064] Specific examples of the repeating unit C include the repeating units shown below.

[0065]

[0066]

[0067]

[0068] When the silicon-based surfactant is a copolymer having repeating unit C, it may have one type of repeating unit C alone or two or more types of repeating unit C. The content of repeating unit C is preferably 1 to 50 mass %, more preferably 5 to 40 mass %, and even more preferably 10 to 30 mass %, based on all repeating units (100 mass %) constituting the main chain of the copolymer.

[0069] When the silicon-based surfactant contained in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is a polymer compound having a repeating unit in its chemical structure (for example, a polymer having the repeating unit A described above), its weight-average molecular weight is preferably from 10,000 to 50,000, and more preferably from 20,000 to 300,000. 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, TSKgel SuperHZM-H, TSKgel SuperHZ4000, and TSKgel SuperHZ200 (all manufactured by Tosoh Corporation), were connected and used. 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.

[0070] The content of the silicon-based surfactant contained in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention is preferably 0.1 to 1.0 part by mass, more preferably 0.2 to 0.5 part by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound described below.

[0071] [Polymerizable Liquid Crystal Compound] As described above, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains a polymerizable liquid crystal compound (i.e., a liquid crystal compound having one or more polymerizable groups). Examples of the polymerizable group include those described above for the repeating unit B. Among these, a polymerizable group represented by any one of formulas (P-1) to (P-20) is preferred, and an acryloyloxy group or a methacryloyloxy group is more preferred. Furthermore, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is preferably a liquid crystal compound having two or more polymerizable groups, and more preferably a liquid crystal compound having 2 to 5 polymerizable groups. Hereinafter, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound will also be simply referred to as "liquid crystal compound."

[0072] Liquid crystal compounds can be classified into rod-shaped and discotic types based on their shape. Each type can further be divided into low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight types. A high-molecular-weight compound generally refers to a compound with a degree of polymerization of 100 or more ("Polymer Physics: Phase Transition Dynamics," by Masao Doi, p. 2, Iwanami Shoten, 1992). While any liquid crystal compound can be used in the present invention, rod-shaped or discotic liquid crystal compounds (discotic liquid crystal compounds) are preferred. Two or more rod-shaped liquid crystal compounds, two or more discotic liquid crystal compounds, or a mixture of rod-shaped and discotic liquid crystal compounds may also be used. Polymerization of such liquid crystal compounds can fix the alignment of the liquid crystal compounds. Note that once the liquid crystal compound is fixed by polymerization, it no longer needs to exhibit liquid crystallinity.

[0073] As the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound, for example, those described in claim 1 of JP-A-11-513019, paragraphs

[0026] to

[0098] of JP-A-2005-289980, and paragraphs

[0014] to

[0057] of JP-A-2014-198814 can be preferably used, and as the discotic liquid crystal compound, for example, those described in paragraphs

[0020] to

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

[0013] to

[0108] of JP-A-2010-244038 can be preferably used, but are not limited to these.

[0074] In the present invention, for the reason that the alignment in the cured liquid crystal layer is good, it is preferable that the polymerizable liquid crystal compound is a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound, and that the refractive index difference Δn between the long axis direction and the short axis direction satisfies the following formula (II): Δn(450) / Δn(550)<1.0 (II) In the above formula (II), Δn(450) represents the refractive index difference at 450 nm, and Δn(550) represents the refractive index difference at 550 nm. The long axis direction of a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound refers to the direction of the longest axis in the molecule, and the short axis direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction. The refractive index difference Δn is calculated by dividing the Re(λ) value (nm) measured by the above-described method for a cured liquid crystal layer prepared using a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound by the film thickness value (nm) of the cured liquid crystal layer. The cured liquid crystal layer to be measured, i.e., the cured liquid crystal layer prepared using a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound, is a cured liquid crystal layer prepared by the following procedure. That is, liquid crystal composition L having the following composition is applied by spin coating to a glass substrate with a rubbed polyimide alignment film (SE-150 manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.). The coating film is then heated and aligned at a temperature at which the liquid crystal exhibits liquid crystallinity to form a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is then cooled to a temperature 40°C lower than the temperature at which the liquid crystal exhibits liquid crystallinity, and the liquid crystal composition L is then oriented at 1000 mJ / cm. ２ The alignment is fixed by ultraviolet irradiation to form a liquid crystal cured layer, the thickness of which is, for example, 1 μm.

[0075] Liquid crystal composition L - Rod-like liquid crystal compound 15.00 parts by mass - Photopolymerization initiator (Irgacure 819, manufactured by BASF) 0.45 parts by mass - Fluorine-containing compound A below 0.12 parts by mass - Chloroform 35.00 parts by mass -----------------------------------------------------------------

[0076] Fluorine-containing compound A

[0077] In the present invention, the liquid crystal compound is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (I) because the alignment of the cured liquid crystal layer is good. １ -L １ -D ５ - (A １ ) ａ１ -D ３ - (G １ ) ｇ１ -D １ -[Ar-D ２ 〕 ｑ１ - (G ２ ) ｇ２ -D ４ - (A ２ ) ａ２ -D ６ -L ２ -P ２ (I)

[0078] In the above formula (I), a1, a2, g1, and g2 each independently represent 0 or 1. However, at least one of a1 and g1 represents 1, and at least one of a2 and g2 represents 1. In addition, q1 represents 1 or 2. In addition, D １ , D ２ , D ３ , D ４ , D ５ and D ６ each independently represents a single bond, or —CO—, —O—, —S—, —C(═S)—, or —CR １ R ２ -, -CR ３ =CR ４ -, -NR ５ -, or a divalent linking group formed by a combination of two or more thereof, R １ ~R ５ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. However, when q1 is 2, a plurality of D ２ may be the same or different. １ and G ２ each independently represents an aromatic ring having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, and -CH２ One or more of - may be substituted with -O-, -S- or -NH-. １ and A ２ each independently represents an aromatic ring having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, and -CH ２ One or more of - may be substituted with -O-, -S- or -NH-. １ and L ２ each independently represents a single bond or a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, provided that —CH ２ One or more of - may be substituted with -O-, -S-, -NH-, -N(Q)- or -CO-. Q represents a substituent. １ and P ２ each independently represents a monovalent organic group; P １ and P ２ At least one of the groups represents a polymerizable group. However, when Ar is an aromatic ring represented by formula (Ar-3) described later, P １ and P ２ and P in formula (Ar-3) described below. ３ and P ４ At least one of the groups represented by the formula (I) represents a polymerizable group. Ar represents an aromatic ring having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or a divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, and —CH ２ One or more - may be substituted with -O-, -S- or -NH-, provided that when q1 is 2, the multiple Ar's may be the same or different.

[0079] In the above formula (I), a1, a2, g1, and g2 are preferably all 1 because the liquid crystal composition is more likely to exhibit a smectic liquid crystal state. In addition, it is preferable that a1 and a2 are all 0 and g1 and g2 are all 1 because the durability of the formed cured liquid crystal layer is improved.

[0080] In the above formula (I), q1 is preferably 1.

[0081] In the above formula (I), D １ , D ２ , D ３ , D ４ , D ５ and D ６ Examples of the divalent linking group in one embodiment include -CO-, -O-, -CO-O-, -C(=S)O-, and -CR １ R ２ -, -CR １ R ２ -CR １ R ２ -, -O-CR １ R ２ -, -CR １ R ２ -O-CR １ R ２ -, -CO-O-CR １ R ２ -, -O-CO-CR １ R ２ -, -CR １ R ２ -O-CO-CR １ R ２ -, -CR １ R ２ -CO-O-CR １ R ２ -, -NR ５ -CR １ R ２ - and -CO-NR ５ - and so on. １ , R ２ and R ５ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Among these, any of —CO—, —O—, and —CO—O— is preferred.

[0082] In the above formula (I), G １ and G ２Examples of the aromatic ring having 6 to 20 carbon atoms in one embodiment of the formula (1) include aromatic hydrocarbon rings such as a benzene ring, a naphthalene ring, an anthracene ring, and a phenanthroline ring; and aromatic heterocycles such as a furan ring, a pyrrole ring, a thiophene ring, a pyridine ring, a thiazole ring, and a benzothiazole ring. Of these, a benzene ring (for example, a 1,4-phenyl group) is preferred.

[0083] In the above formula (I), G １ and G ２ The divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms shown in one embodiment of (1) is preferably a 5-membered or 6-membered ring. The alicyclic hydrocarbon group may be saturated or unsaturated, but is preferably a saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group. １ and G ２ For the divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group represented by the formula (I), reference can be made to, for example, paragraph

[0078] of JP-A-2012-21068, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0084] In the present invention, the durability of the formed cured liquid crystal layer is improved, so that G in the above formula (I) １ and G ２ is preferably a cycloalkane ring. Specific examples of the cycloalkane ring include a cyclohexane ring, a cycloheptane ring, a cyclooctane ring, a cyclododecane ring, and a cyclodocosane ring. Of these, a cyclohexane ring is preferred, a 1,4-cyclohexylene group is more preferred, and a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group is even more preferred.

[0085] In addition, in the above formula (I), G １ and G ２ With regard to the above, examples of the substituent that the aromatic ring having 6 to 20 carbon atoms or the divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms may have include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among them, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or a halogen atom is preferable.

[0086] In the above formula (I), A １ and A ２As an aromatic ring having 6 to 20 carbon atoms in one embodiment, G in the above formula (I) １ and G ２ In addition, in the above formula (I), A １ and A ２ As an embodiment of the divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, there is mentioned G １ and G ２ The same as those explained in A １ and A ２ With regard to the above, examples of the substituent that the aromatic ring having 6 to 20 carbon atoms or the divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms may have include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among them, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or a halogen atom is preferable.

[0087] In the above formula (I), L １ and L ２ Examples of the divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms represented by one embodiment of formula (1) include a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a linear or branched alkenylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and a linear or branched alkynylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. As the linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms is preferred, and an alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms is more preferred, and suitable examples include a methylene group, an ethylene group, a propylene group, a butylene group, a pentylene group, and a hexylene group. As the linear or branched alkenylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms is preferred, and an alkenylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferred, and suitable examples include an ethenylene group. As the linear or branched alkynylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkynylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms is preferred, an alkynylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is more preferred, and suitable examples include an ethynylene group. As described above, -CH ２One or more of - may be substituted with -O-, -S-, -NH-, -N(Q)-, or -CO-. Examples of the substituent represented by Q include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A. Among them, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or a halogen atom is preferable.

[0088] In the above formula (I), P １ and P ２ Examples of the monovalent organic group represented by the formula (I) include the substituents described in the above-mentioned Substituent Group A, and particularly, alkyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, etc. The alkyl group may be linear, branched, or cyclic, but linear groups are preferred. The alkyl group preferably has 1 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 20, and even more preferably 1 to 10. The aryl group may be monocyclic or polycyclic, but monocyclic groups are preferred. The aryl group preferably has 6 to 25 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 10. The heteroaryl group may be monocyclic or polycyclic. The number of heteroatoms constituting the heteroaryl group is preferably 1 to 3. The heteroatoms constituting the heteroaryl group are preferably nitrogen atoms, sulfur atoms, or oxygen atoms. The heteroaryl group preferably has 6 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 12. The alkyl group, aryl group, and heteroaryl group may be unsubstituted or may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among them, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or a halogen atom is preferred.

[0089] In the above formula (I), P １ and P ２ Examples of the polymerizable group represented by at least one of the repeating unit B include those described above in relation to the repeating unit B. Among these, a polymerizable group represented by any one of the above formulae (P-1) to (P-20) is preferred, and an acryloyloxy group or a methacryloyloxy group is more preferred.

[0090] On the other hand, in the above formula (I), an aromatic ring having 6 to 20 carbon atoms represented by one embodiment of Ar is G１ and G ２ In addition, in the above formula (I), examples of the divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms represented by one embodiment of Ar include the group G in the above formula (I). １ and G ２ In addition, with regard to Ar, examples of the substituent that the aromatic ring having 6 to 20 carbon atoms or the divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms may have include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among them, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or a halogen atom is preferable.

[0091] In the present invention, for the reason that the alignment of the liquid crystal cured layer is better, the liquid crystal compound is preferably a compound having any aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of groups represented by the following formulas (Ar-1) to (Ar-5), and more preferably a compound represented by the above formula (I) in which Ar in the above formula (I) represents any aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of groups represented by the following formulas (Ar-1) to (Ar-5). In the following formulas (Ar-1) to (Ar-5), * represents a bonding position, but when Ar in the above formula (I) represents any aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of groups represented by the following formulas (Ar-1) to (Ar-5), * represents D １ or D ２ represents the bonding position with

[0092]

[0093] In the above formula (Ar-1), Q １ represents N or CH, and Q ２ is -S-, -O-, or -N(R ６ )-, R ６ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Y １ represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, an aromatic heterocyclic group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, and -CH ２One or more of - may be substituted with -O-, -S- or -NH-. ６ Specific examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms represented by Y include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, and an n-hexyl group. １ Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms represented by Y include aryl groups such as phenyl, 2,6-diethylphenyl, and naphthyl. １ Examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms represented by Y include heteroaryl groups such as thienyl, thiazolyl, furyl, pyridyl, benzothiazolyl, and benzofuryl; and groups formed by removing one hydrogen atom from any of an indole ring, a benzofuran ring, a benzothiophene ring, a benzimidazole ring, a benzothiazole ring, and a benzoxazole ring. １ The aromatic heterocyclic group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms represented by Y is preferably a group obtained by removing one hydrogen atom from a benzofuran ring or a benzothiazole ring. １ Examples of the alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms represented by Y include a cyclohexylene group, a cyclopentylene group, a norbornylene group, and an adamantylene group. １ Examples of the substituent that may be possessed by include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among them, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or a halogen atom is preferable.

[0094] In addition, in the above formulas (Ar-1) to (Ar-5), Z １ , Z ２ and Z ３ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a monovalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, a monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, a monovalent aromatic heterocyclic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, -OR ７ , -NR ８ R ９ , -SR １０, -COOR １１ , or -COR １２ represents R ７ ~R １２ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Z １ and Z ２ may be bonded to each other to form an aromatic ring. As the monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms is preferred, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms is more preferred, specifically, a methyl group, an ethyl group, an isopropyl group, a tert-pentyl group (1,1-dimethylpropyl group), a tert-butyl group, or a 1,1-dimethyl-3,3-dimethyl-butyl group is further preferred, and a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a tert-butyl group is particularly preferred. Examples of the monovalent alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 20 carbon atoms include monocyclic saturated hydrocarbon groups such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclodecyl, methylcyclohexyl, and ethylcyclohexyl groups; monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon groups such as cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl, cyclooctenyl, cyclodecenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexadienyl, cyclooctadienyl, and cyclodecadiene; bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, and tricyclo[5.2.1.0]diene; ２，６ ]decyl group, tricyclo[3.3.1.1 ３，７ ]decyl group, tetracyclo[6.2.1.1 ３，６ .0 ２，７] dodecyl group, adamantyl group, and other polycyclic saturated hydrocarbon groups. Specific examples of the monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms include a phenyl group, a 2,6-diethylphenyl group, a naphthyl group, and a biphenyl group, with an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms (particularly a phenyl group) being preferred. Specific examples of the monovalent aromatic heterocyclic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms include a 4-pyridyl group, a 2-furyl group, a 2-thienyl group, a 2-pyrimidinyl group, and a 2-benzothiazolyl group. Examples of the halogen atom include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom, with a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, and a bromine atom being preferred. On the other hand, R ７ ~R １０ Specific examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, and an n-hexyl group.

[0095] Z １ and Z ２ As described above, may be bonded to each other to form an aromatic ring. For example, Z １ and Z ２ Examples of the structure in which the groups bond to each other to form an aromatic ring include a group represented by the following formula (Ar-1a): In the following formula (Ar-1a), * represents D in the above formula (I). １ or D ２ represents the bonding position with In the above formula (Ar-1a), Q １ , Q ２ and Y １ The examples of the group include those similar to those explained in the above formula (Ar-1).

[0096] In addition, in the above formulas (Ar-2) and (Ar-3), A ３ and A ４ are each independently —O—, —N(R １３ represents a group selected from the group consisting of —, —S—, and —CO—; R １３ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.１３ Examples of the substituent represented by the formula (I) include the substituents described in the above-mentioned group A of substituents, and among them, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or a halogen atom is preferred.

[0097] In the formula (Ar-2), X represents a nonmetallic atom of Groups 14 to 16. However, the nonmetallic atom may have a hydrogen atom or a substituent bonded thereto. Examples of the nonmetallic atom of Groups 14 to 16 represented by X include an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a hydrogen atom, or a nitrogen atom bonded to a substituent [=N-R Ｎ１ , R Ｎ１ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.], a carbon atom to which a hydrogen atom or a substituent is bonded [═C—(R Ｃ１ ) ２ , R Ｃ１ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent.] Examples of the substituent include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among them, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkyl-substituted alkoxy group, a cyclic alkyl group, an aryl group (for example, a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, etc.), a cyano group, an amino group, a nitro group, an alkylcarbonyl group, a sulfo group, a hydroxyl group, etc.

[0098] In addition, in the above formula (Ar-3), D ７ and D ８ each independently represents a single bond, or —CO—, —O—, —S—, —C(═S)—, or —CR １ R ２ -, -CR ３ =CR ４ -, -NR ５ -, or a divalent linking group formed by a combination of two or more thereof, R １ ~R ５ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Here, the divalent linking group is D in the above formula (I). １ , D ２ , D ３ , D ４ , D ５ and D ６ Examples of the above-described examples are the same as those described above.

[0099] In addition, in the above formula (Ar-3), L ３ and L ４ each independently represents a single bond or a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, provided that —CH ２ One or more of - may be substituted with -O-, -S-, -NH-, -N(Q)- or -CO-. Q represents a substituent. Examples of the substituent include those described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among these, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or a halogen atom is preferred. Here, examples of the aliphatic hydrocarbon group include those represented by L in the above formula (I). １ and L ２ Examples of the above-described examples are the same as those described above.

[0100] In addition, in the above formula (Ar-3), P ３ and P ４ each independently represents a monovalent organic group; P ３ and P ４ At least one of them represents a polymerizable group. １ and P ２ Examples of the polymerizable group include those similar to those described above. １ and P ２ Examples of the above-described examples are the same as those described above.

[0101] In the above formulas (Ar-4) to (Ar-5), Ax represents an organic group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms and having at least one aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon rings and aromatic heterocycles. In the above formulas (Ar-4) to (Ar-5), Ay represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, or an organic group having 2 to 30 carbon atoms and having at least one aromatic ring selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon rings and aromatic heterocycles. Here, the aromatic rings in Ax and Ay may have a substituent, and Ax and Ay may be bonded to form a ring. In addition, Q ３represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may have a substituent. Examples of Ax and Ay include those described in paragraphs

[0039] to

[0095] of WO 2014 / 010325. ３ Specific examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms represented by include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, and an n-hexyl group. Examples of the substituent include the substituents described in the above-mentioned substituent group A, and among these, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an alkylcarbonyloxy group, or a halogen atom is preferred.

[0102] Examples of the compound represented by formula (I) include the polymerizable compounds described in paragraphs

[0019] to

[0023] of JP 2019-139222 A; the polymerizable compounds described in paragraphs

[0059] to

[0061] of WO 2019 / 160014; the polymerizable compounds described in paragraph

[0055] of WO 2019 / 160016; compounds (1-1) to (1-19) represented by the following formulas; compounds (2-1) to (2-5) represented by the following formulas; and the like. In the structure of compound (1-14), the group adjacent to the acryloyloxy group represents a propylene group (a group in which a methyl group is substituted with an ethylene group), and compound (1-14) represents a mixture of positional isomers in which the position of the methyl group is different.

[0103]

[0104]

[0105]

[0106]

[0107]

[0108]

[0109]

[0110] Further, as the compound represented by the formula (I), for example, the general formula (1) described in JP-A-2010-084032 compounds (particularly, compounds described in paragraphs

[0067] to

[0073] ), the general formula (II) described in JP-A-2016-053709 compounds (particularly, compounds described in paragraphs

[0036] to

[0043] ), the general formula (1) described in JP-A-2016-081035 compounds (particularly, compounds described in paragraphs

[0043] to

[0055] ), and, paragraphs

[0025] to

[0056] of WO 2021 / 060427 include compounds described therein.

[0111] [Solvent] As described above, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains a solvent. Examples of the solvent include ketones (e.g., acetone, 2-butanone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone (CPO) and the like), ethers (e.g., dioxane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA) and the like), aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., hexane and the like), alicyclic hydrocarbons (e.g., cyclohexane and the like), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., toluene, xylene, trimethylbenzene and the like), halogenated carbons (e.g., dichloromethane, methyl methyl ketone, methyl methyl ether acetate (DMMEA) and the like), and the like. Examples of the solvent include chloromethane, dichloroethane, dichlorobenzene, chlorotoluene, etc., esters (e.g., methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, etc.), water, alcohols (e.g., methanol (MeOH), ethanol, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), butanol, cyclohexanol, etc.), cellosolves (e.g., methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, etc.), cellosolve acetates, sulfoxides (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide, etc.), and amides (e.g., dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, etc.). These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0112] [Polymerization Initiator] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention preferably contains a polymerization initiator. The polymerization initiator is preferably a photopolymerization initiator capable of initiating a polymerization reaction by ultraviolet irradiation. Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include α-carbonyl compounds (described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,367,661 and 2,367,670), acyloin ethers (described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,828), α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic acyloin compounds (described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,512), polynuclear quinone compounds (described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,127 and 2,951,758), and compounds of triarylimidazole dimer and p-aminophenyl ketone. (described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,367), acridine and phenazine compounds (described in JP-A-60-105667 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,850), oxadiazole compounds (described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,970), acylphosphine oxide compounds (described in JP-B-63-40799, JP-B-5-29234, JP-A-10-95788, and JP-A-10-29997), and the like. Oxime-type polymerization initiators are also preferred as polymerization initiators. Specific examples thereof include the initiators described in paragraphs

[0049] to

[0052] of WO 2017 / 170443.

[0113] [Other Components] The liquid crystal composition of the present invention may contain other components in addition to the above-mentioned components, such as a tilt angle controller, a plasticizer, and a crosslinking agent.

[0114] [Liquid Crystal Cured Layer] The liquid crystal cured layer of the present invention is a liquid crystal cured layer obtained by fixing the alignment state of the liquid crystal composition of the present invention described above. Examples of methods for forming the liquid crystal cured layer include a method in which the liquid crystal composition of the present invention described above is used to achieve the desired alignment state, followed by polymerization to fix the alignment state. While the conditions for achieving the desired alignment state are not particularly limited, a heat treatment is preferred, and a cooling treatment after the heat treatment is more preferred. From the viewpoint of manufacturability, the heating temperature in the heat treatment is preferably 10 to 250°C, more preferably 50 to 200°C, and even more preferably 70 to 150°C. Furthermore, the heating time in the heat treatment is preferably 1 to 300 seconds, more preferably 1 to 60 seconds. Furthermore, the temperature in the cooling treatment after the heat treatment is not particularly limited as long as it is lower than the heating temperature in the heat treatment, but is preferably room temperature (23°C) to 80°C. Furthermore, the conditions for the polymerization are not particularly limited, but ultraviolet light is preferably used in the polymerization by light irradiation. 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 is particularly preferred. In order to promote the polymerization reaction, the polymerization may be carried out under heated conditions. The nitrogen concentration in the polymerization system is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of adhesive suitability with the ultraviolet-curable adhesive described below, it is preferably 95% to 65%, more preferably 85% to 70%, and even more preferably 80% to 75%. The nitrogen concentration in the air is approximately 78%.

[0115] The orientation state of the liquid crystal compound in the cured liquid crystal layer of the present invention may be any of horizontal orientation, vertical orientation, tilted orientation, and twisted orientation. However, because surface unevenness of the cured liquid crystal layer is suppressed, the cured liquid crystal layer of the present invention is preferably a cured liquid crystal layer obtained by fixing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound in a vertically aligned state. Here, when the liquid crystal compound is a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound, vertical orientation is also called homeotropic orientation, and refers to an orientation in which the angle between the surface (main surface) of the optically anisotropic layer and the director of the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound is within a range of 70° to 90°, preferably an orientation in a range of 80° to 90°, and more preferably an orientation in a range of 85° to 90°. Furthermore, when the liquid crystal compound is a discotic liquid crystal compound, vertical orientation refers to an orientation in which the angle between the surface (main surface) of the optically anisotropic layer and the discotic plane of the discotic liquid crystal compound is within a range of 70° to 90°, preferably an orientation in a range of 80° to 90°, and more preferably an orientation in a range of 85° to 90°.

[0116] The liquid crystal cured layer of the present invention is preferably a positive C plate. Here, a positive C plate (positive C plate) is defined as follows. Specifically, a positive C plate satisfies the relationship of formula (C1), where nx is the refractive index in the slow axis direction (the direction in which the in-plane refractive index is maximum) in the film plane, ny is the refractive index in the direction perpendicular to the in-plane slow axis, and nz is the refractive index in the thickness direction. A positive C plate exhibits a negative Rth. Formula (C1) nz>nx≒ny. The above "≒" encompasses not only the case where both are completely identical, but also the case where both are substantially identical. "Substantially identical" includes, for example, the case where (nx-ny)×d (where d is the film thickness) is 0 to 10 nm, preferably 0 to 5 nm, in "nx≒ny." Furthermore, when the liquid crystal cured layer of the present invention is a positive C plate, it is preferable that the in-plane retardation Re(550) at a wavelength of 550 nm and the retardation in the film thickness direction Rth(550) satisfy the following formulas (1) and (2). Formula (1): 0 nm≦Re(550)≦40 nm Formula (2): −180 nm≦Rth(550)≦−50 nm In formula (1), the upper limit of Re(550) is preferably 20 nm or less, and more preferably 10 nm or less. In formula (2), the lower limit of Rth(550) is preferably −140 nm or more, and more preferably −130 nm or more, and the upper limit of Rth(550) is preferably −60 nm or less, and more preferably −70 nm or less.

[0117] The thickness of the liquid crystal cured layer of the present invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.5 to 5 μm.

[0118] [Optical Film] The optical film of the present invention is an optical film having the liquid crystal cured layer of the present invention.

[0119] [Substrate] The optical film of the present invention may have a substrate for supporting the liquid crystal cured layer of the present invention. Such a substrate is preferably transparent. Note that, in the present invention, "transparent" means that the transmittance of visible light is 60% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more.

[0120] In the present invention, the substrate is preferably a positive A plate because it provides good display performance when used in an image display device (particularly a liquid crystal display device). In this specification, a positive A plate is defined as follows. Specifically, a positive A plate satisfies the relationship of formula (A1), where nx is the refractive index in the in-plane slow axis direction (the direction in which the in-plane refractive index is maximum), ny is the refractive index in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the in-plane slow axis, and nz is the refractive index in the thickness direction. A positive A plate exhibits a positive Rth. Formula (A1) nx>ny≒nz. The above "≒" encompasses not only the case where the two are completely identical, but also the case where the two are substantially identical. "Substantially identical" also includes, for example, the case where (ny-nz)×d (where d is the film thickness) is −10 to 10 nm, preferably −5 to 5 nm, in "ny≒nz." Furthermore, when the substrate is a positive A plate, it is preferable that the in-plane retardation Re(550) at a wavelength of 550 nm and the retardation in the film thickness direction Rth(550) satisfy the following formulas (3) and (4). Formula (3): 80 nm ≦ Re(550) ≦ 200 nm Formula (4): 20 nm ≦ Rth(550) ≦ 150 nm In addition, in formula (3), the lower limit of Re(550) is preferably 100 nm or more, more preferably 110 nm or more, and the upper limit of Re(550) is preferably 160 nm or less, more preferably 150 nm or less, and even more preferably 140 nm or less. In addition, in formula (4), the lower limit of Rth(550) is preferably 50 nm or more, more preferably 60 nm or more, and the upper limit of Rth(550) is preferably 120 nm or less, more preferably 110 nm or less.

[0121] In the present invention, the substrate is preferably a liquid crystal cured layer (particularly, an optically anisotropic layer) different from the liquid crystal cured layer of the present invention. Examples of the liquid crystal cured layer include a liquid crystal cured layer obtained by fixing the orientation state (particularly, horizontal orientation state) of a liquid crystal compound contained in the surfactant-free liquid crystal composition described above. Regarding horizontal orientation, when the liquid crystal compound is a rod-shaped liquid crystal compound, horizontal orientation is also referred to as homogeneous orientation, and refers to an orientation in which the angle between the surface (main surface) of the liquid crystal cured layer and the director of the rod-shaped liquid crystal compound is in the range of 0° to 20°, preferably in the range of 0° to 10°, and more preferably in the range of 0° to 5°. When the liquid crystal compound is a discotic liquid crystal compound, horizontal orientation refers to an orientation in which the angle between the surface (main surface) of the liquid crystal cured layer and the discotic plane of the discotic liquid crystal compound is in the range of 0° to 20°, preferably in the range of 0° to 10°, and more preferably in the range of 0° to 5°. The optical film of the present invention may have such a liquid crystal cured layer as a layer structure other than the substrate.

[0122] In the present invention, the substrate may be a polymer film. The polymer film is preferably selected from a cellulose acylate film, a cyclic olefin polymer film, and an acrylic polymer film. The acrylic polymer film preferably contains an acrylic polymer containing at least one unit selected from a lactone ring unit, a maleic anhydride unit, and a glutaric anhydride unit.

[0123] Furthermore, in the present invention, the substrate may be a polymer film described later in the support section, or an alignment film described later. When a polymer film described later in the support section is used as the substrate, the polymer film is preferably a positive A plate. In this case, the preferred ranges of the in-plane retardation Re(550) and the retardation in the film thickness direction Rth(550) at a wavelength of 550 nm are as described above.

[0124] [Support] When the optical film of the present invention has the other liquid crystal cured layer (optically anisotropic layer) described above as the substrate, it may have a support for supporting the other liquid crystal cured layer. Such a support is preferably transparent. Note that "transparent" in the present invention means that the transmittance of visible light is 60% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more.

[0125] Examples of the support include glass substrates and polymer films.Polymer film materials 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 resin); 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 made by mixing these polymers.Commercially available polymer films can also be used. Specifically, for example, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. sells these under the trade name APEL, and grades with different glass transition temperatures (Tg) include APL8008T (Tg 70°C), APL6013T (Tg 125°C), and APL6015T (Tg 145°C). Polyplastics Co., Ltd. also sells pellets such as TOPAS8007, 6013, and 6015. Ferrania also sells Appear 3000. JSR Corporation also sells these under the trade names Arton G or Arton F, and Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd. also sells these under the trade names Zeonor ZF12, ZF14, ZF16, Zeonex 250, and Zeonex 280, and these can also be used. As mentioned above, the commercially available products may also be used as the substrate. The thickness of the support is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 1 to 200 μm, and more preferably from 2 to 100 μm.

[0126] [Alignment Film] The liquid crystal cured layer and any other liquid crystal cured layer in the optical film of the present invention may be formed on the surface of an alignment film (particularly a photo-alignment film described later).

[0127] The alignment film may be any film that has the function of aligning the liquid crystal compound contained in the composition. Alignment films are generally primarily composed of polymers. Polymer materials for alignment films are described in numerous literature, and many commercially available products are available. Preferred polymer materials for alignment films are polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, or derivatives thereof, with modified or unmodified polyvinyl alcohol being more preferred. Examples of alignment films that may be included in the optical film include the alignment film described in WO 01 / 88574, page 43, line 24 to page 49, line 8; the alignment film made of modified polyvinyl alcohol described in paragraphs

[0071] to

[0095] of Japanese Patent No. 3907735; and the liquid crystal alignment film formed from the liquid crystal aligning agent described in JP 2012-155308 A.

[0128] It is preferable to use a photo-alignment film as the alignment film, since the surface of the alignment film is not in contact with any object during the formation of the alignment film, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the surface condition. The photo-alignment film is not particularly limited, but it can be an alignment film formed from a polymer material such as a polyamide compound and a polyimide compound described in paragraphs

[0024] to

[0043] of International Publication No. 2005 / 096041; a liquid crystal alignment film formed from a liquid crystal alignment agent having a photo-alignment group described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-155308; and a product name LPP-JP265CP manufactured by Rolic Technologies, Inc., or the like.

[0129] The thickness of the alignment film is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm, and even more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 μm.

[0130] [Polarizing Plate] The polarizing plate of the present invention is preferably a polarizing plate having the above-described optical film of the present invention and a polarizer.

[0131] [Polarizer] The polarizer of the polarizing plate of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of converting light into specific linearly polarized light, and conventionally known absorptive polarizers and reflective polarizers can be used. Examples of absorptive polarizers include iodine-based polarizers, dye-based polarizers using dichroic dyes, and polyene-based polarizers. Iodine-based polarizers and dye-based polarizers include coated polarizers and stretched polarizers, and either type can be used. However, polarizers produced by adsorbing iodine or a dichroic dye onto polyvinyl alcohol and stretching the resulting film are preferred. Furthermore, methods for obtaining polarizers by stretching and dyeing a laminated film having a polyvinyl alcohol layer formed on a substrate are described in Japanese Patent Nos. 5,048,120, 5,143,918, 4,691,205, 4,751,481, and 4,751,486. These known techniques related to polarizers can also be preferably used. As the reflective polarizer, a polarizer in which thin films with different birefringence are laminated, a wire grid polarizer, a polarizer in which a cholesteric liquid crystal having a selective reflection region is combined with a quarter-wave plate, etc. are used. Among them, a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin (-CH ２ A polymer containing —CHOH— as a repeating unit, particularly at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, is preferred.

[0132] In the present invention, the thickness of the polarizer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 to 40 μm, more preferably 5 to 30 μm, and even more preferably 5 to 20 μm. This thickness allows for the development of thinner display devices. Next, each layer constituting the polarizing plate of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0133] [Laminating Layer] The polarizing plate of the present invention may have a laminating layer between the optical film of the present invention and the polarizer. The laminating layer is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known pressure-sensitive adhesive layer or adhesive layer can be appropriately used.

[0134] <Adhesive Layer> The adhesive layer may be made of a resin or an elastomer (including oil-extended rubber).

[0135] Examples of the resin include polystyrene resin, polyamide resin, urethane resin, (meth)acrylate resin, (meth)acrylic acid ester resin, and modified resins of these resins. Examples of the urethane resin include urethane-modified polyester resin and urethane resin. Among the above resins, (meth)acrylate resin is preferred.

[0136] Examples of the elastomer include a block (co)polymer of a conjugated diene and a hydrogenated product thereof, and a (meth)acrylic block (co)polymer (meaning, for example, a (co)polymer having a poly(meth)acrylic acid ester as a block unit). ], styrene-based block (co)polymers and hydrogenated products thereof ((co)polymers having a polymer of an aromatic vinyl compound (preferably polystyrene) as a block unit and hydrogenated products thereof, such as a block copolymer of a polymer of an aromatic vinyl compound and a polymer containing a conjugated diene, and a hydrogenated product of a block copolymer of a polymer of an aromatic vinyl compound and a polymer containing a conjugated diene), ethylene-α-olefin-based copolymers, polar-group-modified olefin-based copolymers, elastomers composed of a polar-group-modified olefin-based copolymer and at least one of a metal ion and a metal compound, nitrile-based rubbers such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-based rubber, butyl rubber, acrylic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPO), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU), thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEE), thermoplastic polyamide elastomers (TPAE), and diene-based elastomers (1,2-polybutadiene, etc.), silicone-based elastomers, and fluorine-based elastomers, provided that the conjugated diene block (co)polymers do not contain polystyrene blocks. Of these, the elastomer is preferably a (meth)acrylic block (co)polymer or a styrene block (co)polymer, and hydrogenated products thereof. Preferred examples of the (meth)acrylic block (co)polymer include a block copolymer of polymethyl methacrylate and poly-n-butyl acrylate (hereinafter abbreviated as "PMMA-PnBA block copolymer"). Preferred examples of the styrene block (co)polymer and hydrogenated products thereof include a block copolymer of polystyrene and a polymer containing at least one of isoprene and butadiene, and hydrogenated products thereof. The polymer containing at least one of isoprene and butadiene may contain, for example, butene as a component other than isoprene and butadiene.Among these, the elastomer is more preferably a hydrogenated product of a (meth)acrylic block (co)polymer or a styrene block (co)polymer, and even more preferably a PMMA-PnBA block copolymer or a hydrogenated product of a block copolymer of polystyrene and a polymer containing at least one of isoprene and butadiene.

[0137] In addition to the above resins or elastomers, the adhesive layer can also be formed using a composition containing additives (e.g., softeners, plasticizers, lubricants, crosslinking agents, crosslinking aids, photosensitizers, antioxidants, antiaging agents, heat stabilizers, flame retardants, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, weather resistance agents, UV absorbers, tackifiers, nucleating agents, pigments, dyes, organic fillers, inorganic fillers, silane coupling agents, titanium coupling agents, etc.), polymerizable group-containing compounds, polymerization initiators, or polymers other than the above resins or elastomers. That is, the adhesive layer may be formed using a resin composition or an elastomer composition.

[0138] <Adhesive Layer> The adhesive layer is preferably formed using a composition containing a component (adhesive) that exhibits adhesiveness upon drying or reaction. For example, an adhesive layer formed using a composition containing a component that exhibits adhesiveness upon a curing reaction is a cured layer formed by curing the composition. Among these, from the viewpoint of improving heat distortion resistance and adhesive strength, an ultraviolet-curable adhesive that is cured by ultraviolet irradiation is preferably used.

[0139] A resin can be used as the adhesive. The adhesive layer can be a layer in which the resin accounts for, for example, 50% by mass or more, preferably 70% by mass or more. The resin may be a single resin or a mixture of multiple resins. When a mixture of resins is used, the proportion of the resin refers to the proportion of the mixture of resins. Examples of the resin mixture include a mixture of a certain resin with a resin having a structure in which the resin is partially modified, and a mixture of a resin obtained by reacting different polymerizable compounds.

[0140] The adhesive may be any adhesive having suitable properties, configurations, and adhesive mechanisms. Specific examples include water-soluble adhesives, UV-curable adhesives, emulsion adhesives, latex adhesives, mastic adhesives, multilayer adhesives, paste-like adhesives, foam adhesives, supported film adhesives, thermoplastic adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, heat-setting adhesives, heat-activated adhesives, heat-seal adhesives, heat-curable adhesives, contact adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, polymerization adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, and solvent-activated adhesives. Of these, water-soluble adhesives and UV-curable adhesives are preferred. Water-soluble adhesives are particularly preferred due to their excellent transparency, adhesiveness, workability, product quality, and economy.

[0141] Furthermore, various known additives (for example, the additives described in the adhesive layer above) and polymerization initiators can be used as the adhesive (adhesive-containing composition), but a silane coupling agent can be particularly used. Here, it is preferable that the silane coupling agent has a polymerizable group from the viewpoint of improving adhesion. Furthermore, examples of the polymerizable group include those described in the repeating unit B above and amino groups, and among these, vinyl groups, epoxy groups, methacryloyloxy groups, acryloyloxy groups, or amino groups are particularly preferred. Examples of such silane coupling agents that can be used include KBM-1083, KBM-4803, KBM-5803, KBM-6803, X-12-1048, and X-12-1050 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

[0142] The water-soluble adhesive may contain natural or synthetic water-soluble components such as proteins, starches, and synthetic resins. Examples of synthetic resins include resol resins, urea resins, melamine resins, polyethylene oxide resins, polyacrylamide resins, polyvinylpyrrolidone resins, polyacrylic acid ester resins, polymethacrylic acid ester resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyacrylic resins, and cellulose derivatives. Among these, water-soluble adhesives containing polyvinyl alcohol resins or cellulose derivatives are preferred because of their excellent adhesive properties when laminating resin films. In other words, the adhesive layer preferably contains polyvinyl alcohol resin or a cellulose derivative. Here, cellulose derivatives refer to modified cellulose. There are no particular limitations on the cellulose derivative, and known cellulose derivatives can be used. For example, HEC (hydroxyethyl cellulose) can be used.

[0143] Examples of ultraviolet-curable adhesives include active energy ray-curable adhesives such as (meth)acrylate adhesives and cationic polymerization-curable adhesives. Examples of curable components in (meth)acrylate adhesives include compounds having a (meth)acryloyl group and compounds having a vinyl group. Furthermore, compounds having an epoxy group or an oxetanyl group can also be used as cationic polymerization-curable adhesives. The epoxy group-containing compound is not particularly limited as long as it has at least two epoxy groups in its molecule, and various commonly known curable epoxy compounds can be used. Examples of preferred epoxy compounds include compounds having at least two epoxy groups and at least one aromatic ring in its molecule (aromatic epoxy compounds), and compounds having at least two epoxy groups in its molecule, at least one of which is formed between two adjacent carbon atoms constituting an alicyclic ring (alicyclic epoxy compounds).

[0144] The thickness of the laminating layer is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 100 μm or less, more preferably 0.5 μm or more and 60 μm or less, and even more preferably 1 μm or more and 40 μm or less.

[0145] [Protective Film] The polarizing plate of the present invention may have a protective film on one or both sides of the polarizer. The protective film is preferably a polymer film. The polymer film is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known polymer film can be appropriately used.

[0146] Examples of materials for the polymer film include cellulose-based polymers such as cellulose acylate; 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 (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate; styrene-based polymers such as polystyrene and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers; polyolefin-based polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers; vinyl chloride-based polymers; amide-based polymers such as nylon and aromatic polyamides; 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 containing mixtures of these polymers. The protective film is preferably a film made of a cellulose-based polymer, and more preferably a cellulose acylate film.

[0147] [Image Display Device] The image display device of the present invention is an image display device having the optical film or polarizing plate of the present invention (hereinafter, these will be collectively referred to as "the optical film, etc."). 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 and an organic EL display panel are preferred, and a liquid crystal cell is more preferred. That is, as the image display device, 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 is preferred, and a liquid crystal display device is more preferred.

[0148] [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 optical film of the present invention or the like and a liquid crystal cell. Of the polarizing plates provided on both sides of the liquid crystal cell, it is preferable to use the optical film of the present invention or the like as the front polarizing plate, and it is more preferable to use the optical film of the present invention or the like as the front and rear polarizing plates. The liquid crystal cell constituting the liquid crystal display device will be described in detail below.

[0149] <Liquid Crystal Cell> The liquid crystal cell used in the liquid crystal display device is preferably, but not limited to, a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode, an OCB (Optically Compensated Bend) mode, an IPS (In-Plane-Switching) mode, an FFS (Fringe-Field-Switching) mode, or a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode. In a TN mode liquid crystal cell, rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially horizontally when no voltage is applied, and are further twisted at an angle of 60 to 120 degrees. TN mode liquid crystal cells are most commonly used in color TFT liquid crystal displays, and are described in numerous literature. In a VA mode liquid crystal cell, rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially vertically when no voltage is applied. VA mode liquid crystal cells include (1) narrowly defined VA mode liquid crystal cells in which rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially vertically when no voltage is applied and substantially horizontally when voltage is applied (described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-176625), (2) multi-domain VA mode liquid crystal cells (described in SID97, Digest of tech. Papers (Proceedings) 28 (1997) 845) in order to widen the viewing angle (described in SID97, Digest of tech. Papers (Proceedings) 28 (1997) 845), (3) n-ASM mode liquid crystal cells in which rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially vertically when no voltage is applied and are aligned in a twisted multi-domain manner when voltage is applied (described in Japan Liquid Crystal Symposium Proceedings 58-59 (1998)), and (4) SURVIVAL mode liquid crystal cells (announced at LCD International 98). Furthermore, VA-mode liquid crystal cells may be any of PVA (Patterned Vertical Alignment) type, optical alignment type, and PSA (Polymer-Sustained Alignment) type. Details of these modes are described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-215326 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-538819. In IPS-mode liquid crystal cells, rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules are aligned substantially parallel to the substrates, and the liquid crystal molecules respond in a planar manner when an electric field parallel to the substrate surface is applied. In IPS-mode cells, black is displayed when no electric field is applied, and the absorption axes of a pair of upper and lower polarizing plates are perpendicular to each other.Methods of using an optical compensation sheet to reduce light leakage in oblique directions during black display and improve the viewing angle are disclosed in JP-A Nos. 10-54982, 11-202323, 9-292522, 11-133408, 11-305217, and 10-307291.

[0150] [Organic EL Display Device] An organic EL display device, which is one example of an image display device, may have, in this order from the viewing side, the polarizing plate of the present invention (a polarizing plate with a polarizer disposed on the viewing side). The organic EL display panel is a display panel configured using organic EL elements each having an organic light-emitting layer (organic electroluminescence layer) sandwiched between electrodes (a cathode and an anode). The configuration of the organic EL display panel is not particularly limited, and a known configuration may be used.

[0151] 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.

[0152] Example 1 Production of Cellulose Acylate Film (Support) Preparation of Core Layer Cellulose Acylate Dope 1 The following composition was charged into a mixing tank and stirred to dissolve each component, thereby preparing core layer cellulose acylate dope 1. Core Layer Cellulose Acylate Dope 1 Cellulose acetate having an acetyl substitution degree of 2.88: 100 parts by mass Polyester as follows: 12 parts by mass Durability improver as follows: 4 parts by mass Methylene chloride (first solvent): 430 parts by mass Methanol (second solvent): 64 parts by mass

[0153] Polyester (number average molecular weight: 800)

[0154] Durability improver

[0155] <Preparation of Outer Layer Cellulose Acylate Dope 1> 10 parts by mass of the following matting agent dispersion 1 was added to 90 parts by mass of the above core layer cellulose acylate dope 1 to prepare outer layer cellulose acylate dope 1. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Matting agent dispersion 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------- - Silica particles having an average particle size of 20 nm (AEROSIL R972, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.) 2 parts by mass - Methylene chloride (first solvent) 76 parts by mass - Methanol (second solvent) 11 parts by mass - Core layer cellulose acylate dope 1 1 part by mass

[0156] <Preparation of Cellulose Acylate Film 1 (Support)> The core layer cellulose acylate dope 1 and the outer layer cellulose acylate dope 1 were filtered using filter paper with an average pore size of 34 μm and a sintered metal filter with an average pore size of 10 μm. Then, using a band casting machine, the core layer cellulose acylate dope 1 and the outer layer cellulose acylate dope 1 on both sides were simultaneously cast onto a drum at 20°C from the casting nozzle. The film was then peeled off from the drum while the solvent content of the film on the drum was approximately 20% by mass. Both ends of the resulting film in the width direction were fixed with tenter clips, and the film was stretched 1.1 times in the width direction while drying while the solvent content of the film was 3 to 15% by mass. The resulting film was then further dried by transporting it between the rolls of a heat treatment device to produce cellulose acylate film 1 with a thickness of 40 μm. The retardation of the cellulose acylate film 1 was measured, and the results were Re(550)=1 nm and Rth(550)=-5 nm.

[0157] [Production of photo-alignment film 1 and optically anisotropic layer 1 (substrate)] <Preparation of composition 1 for photo-alignment film> Composition 1 for photo-alignment film was prepared having the following composition. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Composition 1 for liquid crystal alignment film ---------------------------------------------------------------- Copolymer C1 (below) 100 parts by mass Thermal acid generator D1 (below) 3.57 parts by mass Stabilizer DIPEA (below) 0.36 parts by mass Butyl acetate 714 parts by mass Methyl ethyl ketone 476 parts by mass ----------------------------------------------------------------

[0158] Copolymer C1 (weight average molecular weight: 40,000)

[0159] Thermal Acid Generator D1

[0160] Stabilizer DIPEA

[0161] <Preparation of composition 1 for forming optically anisotropic layer> Composition 1 for forming optically anisotropic layer having the following composition was prepared.

[0162] -------------------------------- Composition 1 for forming optically anisotropic layer-------------------------------- 27.00 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound R1 shown below 20.00 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound R2 shown below 20.00 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound R3 shown below 16.50 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound R4 shown below 16.50 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound R5 shown below 15.00 parts by mass of additive M1 shown below 3.00 parts by mass of additive M2 shown below 0.50 parts by mass of photopolymerization initiator S1 shown below 0.09 parts by mass of leveling agent P1 shown below 179.67 parts by mass of cyclopentanone 53.67 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone --------------------------------

[0163] Liquid crystal compound R1 [Δn(450) / Δn(550): 0.58]

[0164] Liquid crystal compound R2 (in the following formula, t-Bu represents a tert-butyl group) [Δn(450) / Δn(550): 0.68]

[0165] Liquid crystal compound R3 (in the following formula, the group adjacent to the acryloyloxy group represents a propylene group (a group in which a methyl group is substituted with an ethylene group)) [Δn(450) / Δn(550): 0.80]

[0166] Liquid crystal compound R4 [Δn(450) / Δn(550): 1.03]

[0167] Liquid crystal compound R5 [Δn(450) / Δn(550): 1.02]

[0168] Additive M1

[0169] Additive M2

[0170] Polymerization initiator S1

[0171] Leveling agent P1 (The numbers in the following formula indicate the content (% by mass) of each repeating unit relative to the total repeating units in leveling agent P1.)

[0172] <Preparation of Photo-Alignment Film 1 and Optically Anisotropic Layer 1 (Substrate)> The composition 1 for photo-alignment film prepared above was continuously applied to one side of the prepared cellulose acylate film 1 (support) using a bar coater. After application, the film was dried in a heating zone at 120°C for 1 minute to remove the solvent, forming a photoisomerizable composition layer with a thickness of 0.3 µm. Next, the film was wound around a mirror-finished backup roll and irradiated with polarized ultraviolet light (10 mJ / cm ２ , using an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp) to form a photo-alignment film 1. Next, the previously prepared composition 1 for forming an optically anisotropic layer was applied to the long-form photo-alignment film 1 using a bar coater to form a composition layer. The temperature in the application chamber was set to 23°C. The formed composition layer was heated to 120°C in a heating zone and then cooled to 60°C. Thereafter, while maintaining the temperature, it was irradiated with ultraviolet light (300 mJ / cm) in a nitrogen atmosphere (oxygen concentration 100 ppm). ２ The alignment was fixed by irradiating the substrate with a light source (using an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp) to prepare an optically anisotropic layer 1 (substrate) having a thickness of 2.2 μm. The peel strength of the obtained optically anisotropic layer 1 (substrate) at the interface with the photo-alignment film 1 was 0.05 N / 25 mm. When the optically anisotropic layer 1 was peeled off and measured, it was found that the slow axis direction was the longitudinal direction of the film, the in-plane retardation Re(550) was 130 nm, and Re(450) / Re(550) was 0.85, confirming that the optically anisotropic layer 1 was a positive A plate.

[0173] [Preparation of Cured Liquid Crystal Layer 1 (Preparation of Optical Film)] <Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 1> Liquid crystal composition 1 having the following composition was prepared.

[0174] 20.20 parts by mass of the liquid crystal compound R5; 15.00 parts by mass of the additive M1; 3.00 parts by mass of the following boronic acid monomer B1; 8.00 parts by mass of DPHA-76 (manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Ltd.); 3.00 parts by mass of the above polymerization initiator S1; 0.21 parts by mass of the following surfactant P2-1; 232.96 parts by mass of cyclopentanone; 116.48 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone; 19.41 parts by mass of isopropyl alcohol; 19.41 parts by mass ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

[0175] Boronic Acid Monomer B1

[0176] DPHA-76

[0177] Surfactant P2-1 (weight average molecular weight: 22,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (mass %))

[0178] <Preparation of Liquid Crystal Cured Layer 1> A discharge amount of 150 W·min / m was applied to the surface of the optically anisotropic layer 1 (substrate) on the air interface side (opposite to the photo-alignment film 1). ２Then, the previously prepared liquid crystal composition 1 was applied to the corona-treated surface using a die coater to form a composition layer. Thereafter, the composition was heated at 65°C for 60 seconds to dry the solvent and ripen the liquid crystal compound into an aligned state. Under a nitrogen purge, the substrate was irradiated with ultraviolet light (150 mJ / cm) at 50°C with an oxygen concentration of 100 ppm. ２ ) to fix the alignment, forming a 1.5 μm thick liquid crystal cured layer 1, and producing an optical film 1 [layer structure: cellulose acylate film 1 (support) / photo-alignment film 1 / optically anisotropic layer 1 (base material) / liquid crystal cured layer 1]. Next, a laminate of the optically anisotropic layer 1 and the liquid crystal cured layer 1 was peeled off from the produced optical film 1, and the phase difference of the laminate was measured. The phase difference of the liquid crystal cured layer 1 was calculated by subtracting the phase difference of the optically anisotropic layer 1 measured in advance. The thickness direction retardation RthC(550) was −90 nm, and RthC(450) / RthC(550) was 0.88, confirming that the liquid crystal cured layer 1 was a positive C plate (nz>nx=ny).

[0179] Examples 2 to 11 Liquid crystal compositions 2 to 11, cured liquid crystal layers 2 to 11, and optical films 2 to 11 of Examples 2 to 11 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the surfactant P2-1 contained in the liquid crystal composition 1 was replaced with a surfactant shown in Table 1 below.

[0180] [Example 12] A liquid crystal composition 12, a cured liquid crystal layer 12, and an optical film 12 of Example 12 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the five liquid crystal compounds R1 to R5 used in the liquid crystal composition 1 were replaced with the following liquid crystal compound R6, and the blending amount thereof was changed to 100 parts by mass. <Liquid Crystal Compound R6>

[0181] Example 13 Preparation of Optically Anisotropic Layer 2 (Base Material) <Preparation of Composition 2 for Forming Optically Anisotropic Layer> Composition 2 for forming optically anisotropic layer having the following composition was prepared.

[0182] ------------------------------------------------ Optically anisotropic layer forming composition 2 -------------------------------------------------- 42.00 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound R7 below 42.00 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound R3 above 12.00 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound R8 below 4.00 parts by mass of liquid crystal compound T1 below 0.50 parts by mass of polymerization initiator S1 above 0.20 parts by mass of surfactant P1 above 2.00 parts by mass of Hisorb MTEM (manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 1.00 part by mass of NK Ester A-200 (manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) 424.80 parts by mass of ------------------------------------------------

[0183] The group adjacent to the acryloyloxy group in the following liquid crystal compound R8 represents a propylene group (a group in which a methyl group is substituted with an ethylene group), and the following liquid crystal compound R8 represents a mixture of positional isomers in which the position of the methyl group differs.

[0184] Liquid crystal compound R7 [Δn(450) / Δn(550): 0.75]

[0185] Liquid crystal compound R8 [Δn(450) / Δn(550): 1.03]

[0186] Liquid crystal compound T1 [Δn(450) / Δn(550): 1.03]

[0187] <Preparation of Optically Anisotropic Layer 2 (Substrate)> A photo-alignment film 1 was formed on a cellulose acylate film 1 (support) in the same manner as in Example 1. Next, the previously prepared optically anisotropic layer-forming agent 2 was applied to the photo-alignment film 1 using a die coater to form a composition layer. The formed composition layer was heated to a temperature at which it exhibited an isotropic phase, and then cooled to a temperature at which it exhibited a smectic phase, thereby stabilizing the orientation. Thereafter, while maintaining the temperature, the layer was irradiated with ultraviolet light (500 mJ / cm) in a nitrogen atmosphere (oxygen concentration 100 ppm).２ The alignment was fixed by irradiating the liquid crystal alignment film with a 2 μm-thick optically anisotropic layer 2 (substrate) using a 0.05 N / 25 mm peel force at the interface with the liquid crystal alignment film. The retardation of the optically anisotropic layer 2 was measured after peeling. The slow axis direction was the longitudinal direction of the film, the in-plane retardation Re(550) was 130 nm, and Re(450) / Re(550) was 0.85, confirming that the optically anisotropic layer 2 was a positive A plate.

[0188] [Preparation of Cured Liquid Crystal Layer 13 (Preparation of Optical Film)] <Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 13> A liquid crystal composition 13 having the following composition was prepared. Liquid crystal composition 13 ------------------------------------------------ 10.00 parts by mass of the above liquid crystal compound R7 54.00 parts by mass of the above liquid crystal compound R3 28.00 parts by mass of the following liquid crystal compound R9 8.00 parts by mass of the above liquid crystal compound T1 4.50 parts by mass of boronic acid monomer B1 12.00 parts by mass of NK ester A-600 (manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) 1.50 parts by mass of the above polymerization initiator S1 0.21 parts by mass of the above leveling agent P2-1 225.00 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone 25.00 parts by mass of methanol ------------------------------------------------

[0189] Liquid crystal compound R9 (a mixture of the following liquid crystal compounds (RA), (RB), and (RC) in a mass ratio of 83:15:2)

[0190] <Preparation of Cured Liquid Crystal Layer 13> A discharge amount of 150 W·min / m was applied to the surface of the optically anisotropic layer 2 (substrate) on the air interface side (opposite to the photo-alignment film 1). ２The corona-treated surface was then coated with the previously prepared liquid crystal composition 13 using a die coater to form a composition layer. The composition was then heated at 65°C for 60 seconds to dry the solvent and ripen the liquid crystal compound into an aligned state. The coated surface was then irradiated with ultraviolet light (150 mJ / cm) at 50°C under a nitrogen purge with an oxygen concentration of 100 ppm. ２ ) to fix the alignment, forming a 1.5 μm thick liquid crystal cured layer 13, and producing an optical film 13 [layer structure: cellulose acylate film 1 (support) / photo-alignment film 1 / optically anisotropic layer 2 (base material) / liquid crystal cured layer 13]. Next, a laminate of the optically anisotropic layer 2 and the liquid crystal cured layer 13 was peeled from the produced optical film 13, and the phase difference of the laminate was measured. The phase difference of the liquid crystal cured layer 13 was calculated by subtracting the phase difference of the optically anisotropic layer 2 measured in advance. The retardation in the thickness direction RthC(550) was −90 nm, and RthC(450) / RthC(550) was 0.88, confirming that the liquid crystal cured layer 13 was a positive C plate (nz>nx=ny).

[0191] Example 14 Production of Cured Liquid Crystal Layer 14 (Production of Optical Film) Preparation of Liquid Crystal Composition 14 A liquid crystal composition 14 was prepared having the following composition. ------------------------------------------------ Liquid Crystal Composition 14 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Liquid Crystal Compound R9 100.0 parts by mass Photopolymerization initiator S2 described below 5.0 parts by mass Photopolymerization initiator S3 described below 2.0 parts by mass Alignment assistant A1 described below 2.0 parts by mass Boronic acid monomer B1 described above 4.5 parts by mass A-TMMT (manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.) 8.0 parts by mass Surfactant P2-1 described above 0.5 parts by mass Acetone 426.0 parts by mass PGMEA 49.0 parts by mass Methanol 14.7 parts by mass

[0192] Photopolymerization initiator S2

[0193] Photopolymerization initiator S3

[0194] Orientation Aid A1

[0195] A-TMMT (manufactured by Shin-Nakamura Chemical Co., Ltd.)

[0196] <Preparation of Cured Liquid Crystal Layer 14> A cycloolefin polymer (hereinafter also abbreviated as "COP") film 1 (Re=134 nm, Rth=67 nm, manufactured by JSR Corporation) formed on a protective film was applied to the cycloolefin polymer film 1 side with a discharge amount of 125 W·min / m ２ The corona-treated surface was then coated with the previously prepared liquid crystal composition 14 using a #3.6 wire bar. The composition was then heated with hot air at 70°C for 90 seconds to dry the solvent and ripen the liquid crystal compound into an aligned state. The coated surface was then irradiated with ultraviolet light (300 mJ / cm) at 40°C under a nitrogen purge and an oxygen concentration of 0.1%. ２ ) was performed to fix the alignment of the liquid crystal compound to form a liquid crystal cured layer 14, and an optical film 14 [layer structure: protective film / COP film 1 (substrate) / liquid crystal cured layer 14] was produced. Next, the protective film was peeled off from the produced optical film 14, and the phase difference was measured. The in-plane retardation Re(550) was 134 nm, and the thickness direction retardation Rth(550) was -28 nm. Furthermore, Re(450) / Re(550) was 1.01, and Rth(450) / Rth(550) was 1.06. In other words, the in-plane retardation Re(550) of the liquid crystal cured layer 14 was 0 nm, and the thickness direction retardation Rth(550) was -95 nm, confirming that the liquid crystal cured layer 14 was a positive C plate (nz>nx=ny).

[0197] Examples 15 and 16 Liquid crystal compositions 15 to 16, cured liquid crystal layers 15 to 16, and optical films 15 to 16 of Examples 15 to 16 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the surfactant P2-1 contained in the liquid crystal composition 1 was replaced with a surfactant shown in Table 1 below.

[0198] Examples 17 and 18 Liquid crystal compositions 17 to 18, cured liquid crystal layers 17 to 18, and optical films 17 to 18 of Examples 17 to 18 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 14, except that the surfactant P2-1 contained in the liquid crystal composition 14 was replaced with a surfactant and the amount of the surfactant added, as shown in Table 1 below.

[0199] Example 19 A liquid crystal composition 19, a liquid crystal cured layer 19 and an optical film 19 of Example 19 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 14, except that surfactant P2-1 contained in liquid crystal composition 14 was replaced with surfactants and the blending amounts of the surfactants shown in Table 1 below, and cycloolefin polymer film 2 (Re=134 nm, Rth=67 nm) obtained by longitudinally stretching Zeonorfilm ZF14 (manufactured by Zeon Corporation) was used instead of cycloolefin polymer film 1.

[0200] [Example 20] A liquid crystal cured layer 20 and an optical film 20 of Example 20 were produced in the same manner as in Example 18, except that the cycloolefin polymer film 1 of Example 18 was replaced with the cycloolefin polymer film 2 used in Example 19.

[0201] [Comparative Examples 1 to 4] Liquid crystal compositions H1 to H4, cured liquid crystal layers H1 to H4, and optical films H1 to H4 of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the surfactants shown in Table 1 below were used instead of the surfactant P2-1 contained in the liquid crystal composition 1. In Comparative Example 4, the liquid crystal composition was prepared by blending 0.3 parts by mass of each of two surfactants, P3-4 and P3-5, instead of the surfactant P2-1.

[0202] [Measurement and Evaluation] (1) Saturated Adsorption Amount at Gas-Liquid Interface and Silicon Atom Content For the surfactants used in Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, the saturated adsorption amount A at the gas-liquid interface was calculated by the method described above. The results are shown in Table 1 below. Furthermore, for the surfactants used in Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the silicon atom content was calculated by the method described above. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0203] (2) Surface Unevenness The surface unevenness was evaluated by inserting the cured liquid crystal layers prepared in Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 between polarizing plates, observing the samples under crossed Nicols, and evaluating them according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1 below. <Evaluation Criteria> AA: No visible unevenness A: Visible unevenness, but 10% or less in area B: Visible unevenness, but more than 10% and 20% or less in area C: Visible unevenness, but more than 20% in area

[0204] (3) Adhesion to Adjacent Layers A cellulose acylate film (FUJITAC TD40ULC, manufactured by FUJIFILM Corporation) was immersed in a 1.5 mol / L aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (saponification solution) adjusted to 37°C for 1 minute, rinsed with water, and then immersed in a 0.05 mol / L aqueous sulfuric acid solution for 30 seconds, followed by passing through a water washing bath. The film was then repeatedly drained three times with an air knife, and after the water was removed, the film was allowed to stay in a drying zone at 70°C for 15 seconds to dry, thereby producing a saponified cellulose acylate film. Subsequently, the film was stretched in the longitudinal direction by applying a peripheral speed difference between two pairs of nip rolls in accordance with Example 1 of JP 2001-141926 A, to produce a polarizer 1 having a thickness of 12 μm. Next, the polarizer prepared above was sandwiched between the cured liquid crystal layer prepared in Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 and the saponified cellulose acylate film prepared above, and then laminated by roll-to-roll using a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-117H, manufactured by Kuraray) as an adhesive so that the absorption axis of the polarizer was parallel to the longitudinal direction of the film and the cured liquid crystal layer (layer structure: cured liquid crystal layer / polyvinyl alcohol / polarizer 1 / polyvinyl alcohol / cellulose acylate film). Here, the coated surface of the cured liquid crystal layer on one side of Polarizer 1 was positioned on the polarizer 1 side, and the cellulose acylate film was positioned on the other side of Polarizer 1. Next, for Examples 1 to 13, 15, and 16 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, the laminated layers were cured by drying at 70°C for 10 minutes, and then the cellulose acylate film on the cured liquid crystal layer side was peeled off to prepare a polarizing plate for evaluation. For Examples 14 and 17 to 20, the laminate was cured by drying at 70°C for 10 minutes, and then the protective film on the COP film side was peeled off to prepare a polarizing plate for evaluation. For the prepared polarizing plate, 100 grids were made at 1 mm intervals on the surface of the cured liquid crystal layer, and an adhesion test was performed using cellophane tape (manufactured by Nichiban Co., Ltd.). After applying new cellophane tape, the tape was peeled off and evaluated according to the following criteria. The grids were made by making cuts from the cured liquid crystal layer side to the surface of the polarizer. The results are shown in Table 1 below.<Evaluation criteria> AA: No peeling of the squares in the base stitches occurs. A: 80% or more but less than 100% of the squares in the base stitches do not peel off. B: 50% or more but less than 80% of the squares in the base stitches do not peel off. C: Less than 50% of the squares in the base stitches do not peel off.

[0205] (4) Adhesion strength to adjacent layers <Preparation of adhesive composition> The following compounds were mixed in the ratios shown below to prepare an adhesive composition. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Adhesive composition ---------------------------------------------------------------- Polymerizable compound (Aronix M-220, manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.) 20 parts by mass Polymerizable compound (4-hydroxybutyl acrylate, manufactured by Nippon Kasei Co., Ltd.) 40 parts by mass Polymerizable compound (2-ethylhexyl acrylate, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) 40 parts by mass Polymerization initiator (Irgacure 907, manufactured by BASF) 1.5 parts by mass Sensitizer (KAYACURE DETX-S, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) 0.5 parts by mass ----------------------------------------------------------------

[0206] <Preparation of second polarizing plate> The polarizer 1 and a saponified cellulose acylate film were attached together by roll-to-roll bonding using a 3% aqueous solution of PVA (PVA-117H, manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) as an adhesive so that the absorption axis of the polarizer was parallel to the longitudinal direction of the film, thereby preparing a polarizer 1 (polarizer 1 / polyvinyl alcohol / cellulose acylate film) with a protective film on one side. Next, the cured liquid crystal layer prepared in each Example and Comparative Example was heated at a discharge rate of 150 W min / m. ２ After that, the adhesive composition was applied to a film thickness of 0.5 μm. The adhesive-coated surface was then attached to the surface of polarizer 1 of polarizer 1 with a one-side protective film, and ultraviolet light was applied at 300 mJ / cm from the liquid crystal cured layer side at 40° C. in an atmospheric atmosphere. ２The films were irradiated and laminated (layer structure: cured liquid crystal layer / adhesive layer / polarizer 1 / polyvinyl alcohol / cellulose acylate film). Next, for Examples 1 to 13, 15, and 16 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, the films were cured by drying at 60°C for 3 minutes after lamination, and then the cellulose acylate film on the cured liquid crystal layer side was peeled off to prepare a second polarizing plate for evaluation. For Examples 14 and 17 to 20, the films were cured by drying at 60°C for 3 minutes after lamination, and then the protective film on the COP film side was peeled off to prepare a second polarizing plate for evaluation. The second polarizing plate prepared above was cut to a length of 80 mm and a width of 25 mm, and the side of the cured liquid crystal layer was attached to glass using an acrylic adhesive (layer structure: glass / adhesive / second polarizing plate (cured liquid crystal layer / adhesive layer / polarizer 1 / polyvinyl alcohol / cellulose acylate film)). Next, a cutter knife was used to make an incision between the cured liquid crystal layer and the adhesive layer at the end cross section in the width direction of the second polarizing plate. Using the cut as a trigger, the peel force between the cured liquid crystal layer and the adhesive layer was measured using a Tensilon universal material testing machine (peel speed 300 mm, peel angle 90°) and evaluated according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1 below. <Evaluation criteria> A: Peel force of 0.5 N or more B: Peel force of 0.1 N or more but less than 0.5 N C: Peel force less than 0.1 N

[0207]

[0208] The structures of the surfactants in Table 1 above are shown below.

[0209] Surfactant P2-1 (weight average molecular weight: 22,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (mass %))

[0210] Surfactant P2-2 (weight average molecular weight: 23,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0211] Surfactant P2-3 (weight average molecular weight: 22,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (mass %))

[0212] Surfactant P2-4 (weight average molecular weight: 21,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (mass %))

[0213] Surfactant P2-5 (weight average molecular weight: 24,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0214] Surfactant P2-6 (weight average molecular weight: 21,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0215] Surfactant P2-7 (weight average molecular weight: 23,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (mass %)).

[0216] Surfactant P2-8 (weight average molecular weight: 23,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0217] Surfactant P2-9 (weight average molecular weight: 21,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0218] Surfactant P2-10 (weight average molecular weight: 22,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0219] Surfactant P2-11 (weight average molecular weight: 21,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (mass %)).

[0220] Surfactant P2-12 (weight average molecular weight: 25,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (mass %)).

[0221] Surfactant P2-13 (weight average molecular weight: 25,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0222] Surfactant P3-1 (weight average molecular weight: 21,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (mass %))

[0223] Surfactant P3-2 (weight average molecular weight: 21,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0224] Surfactant P3-3 (weight average molecular weight: 20,500, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0225] Surfactant P3-4 (weight average molecular weight: 11,200, the numbers in the following formula indicate (% by mass)).

[0226] Surfactant P3-5 (weight average molecular weight: 15,000, the numbers in the following formula indicate (mass %)).

[0227] The results shown in Table 1 indicate that when a silicon-based surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of less than 920 is used, surface unevenness of the produced cured liquid crystal layer cannot be suppressed (Comparative Examples 1 and 3). Furthermore, when a silicon-based surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of more than 3020 is used, the produced cured liquid crystal layer has poor adhesion to adjacent layers (Comparative Example 2). Furthermore, when a fluorochemical surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of less than 920 and a fluorochemical surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of more than 3020 are used in combination, the produced cured liquid crystal layer has poor adhesion to adjacent layers (Comparative Example 4).

[0228] In contrast, when a silicon-based surfactant having a gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A of 920 or more and 3020 or less was used, it was found that the surface unevenness of the produced cured liquid crystal layer was suppressed and the adhesion to adjacent layers was also excellent (Examples 1 to 20). In particular, the results of Examples 1 to 3 and 7 to 11 revealed that the surface unevenness of the produced cured liquid crystal layer was further suppressed and the adhesion to adjacent layers was also improved, so that the gas-liquid interface saturated adsorption amount A was preferably 1250 or more and 2500 or less, and more preferably 1400 or more and 1650 or less. Furthermore, a comparison between Example 1 and Example 11 revealed that when the silicon-based surfactant was a copolymer having the above-mentioned repeating unit A and a repeating unit B containing a polymerizable group, the adhesion between the produced cured liquid crystal layer and adjacent layers was better.

[0229] Furthermore, a comparison between Example 1 and Example 15 revealed that when the silicon-based surfactant is a copolymer having a repeating unit B containing an acryloyloxy group as a polymerizable group, the adhesive strength between the produced liquid crystal cured layer and the adjacent layer is improved.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal composition containing a surfactant having a silicon atom and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, wherein the surfactant has a saturated adsorption amount A at the gas-liquid interface of 920 or more and 3020 or less.

2. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the saturated adsorption amount A at the gas-liquid interface is 1,250 or more and 2,500 or less.

3. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the saturated adsorption amount A at the gas-liquid interface is 1,400 or more and 1,650 or less.

4. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant has a structure represented by the following formula (S): In the formula (S), * represents a bonding position, and n represents an integer of 11 or more and 130 or less. Ｓ１ ~R Ｓ５ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, and a plurality of R Ｓ１ may be the same or different, and multiple R Ｓ２ may be the same or different.

5. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 4, wherein the surfactant is a polymer having a repeating unit A represented by the following formula (A): Here, in the formula (A), R Ａ１ and R Ａ２ R each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Ａ３ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ａ１ is —O—, —S—, or —NR Ａ４ represents -, and R Ａ４ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Ａ２ represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. Rh represents a substituent having one or more structures represented by the formula (S).

6. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 5, wherein the surfactant is a copolymer further having a repeating unit B containing a polymerizable group.

7. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 6, wherein the polymerizable group is an acryloyloxy group.

8. A liquid crystal cured layer obtained by fixing the alignment state of the liquid crystal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An optical film having the liquid crystal cured layer according to claim 8.

10. A polarizing plate comprising the optical film according to claim 9 and a polarizer.

11. An image display device comprising the optical film according to claim 9.

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