PDLC Panel Uniform Polymer Network via Plasma Active Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PDLC manufacturing methods result in non-uniform liquid crystal droplet size and orientation, leading to poor light transmittance and wide-viewing-angle performance due to the difficulty in achieving a high matching degree between the optical axes of the liquid crystal and polymer phases.
Innovation Solution
The formation of reaction active sites on the surfaces of substrates allows for directional polymerization and cross-linking, creating a uniform polymer network that aligns liquid crystal droplets uniformly, enhancing their orientation and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional ultraviolet solidification method is used for PDLC manufacturing, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the liquid crystal droplets are formed in non-uniform size and distribution with poor transmittance
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is pre-treated with oxygen plasma to introduce polar groups and create a uniform distribution of reaction active sites before PDLC formation. This preliminary action ensures that when polymerization occurs, the polymer chains have predetermined anchoring points that guide uniform liquid crystal droplet formation and orientation, resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and high precision droplet uniformity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If surfactant is added to improve liquid crystal dispersion in polymer, then dispersion is improved, but compatibility problems arise between surfactant and polymer/liquid crystal components
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface with polar groups and reaction active sites serves as an intermediary that promotes uniform dispersion of liquid crystal droplets in the polymer matrix without requiring surfactants. The polar groups enhance interfacial compatibility, while the reaction active sites create anchoring points that guide uniform distribution, eliminating the need for surfactant additives and their associated compatibility issues.
3Ease of manufacture
If liquid crystal droplets are oriented differently after solidification, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but the matching degree between optical axes is low resulting in poor transmittance and wide-viewing-angle performance
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate surface is pre-treated with oxygen plasma to create reaction active sites that will guide polymer chain orientation during subsequent polymerization. This preliminary preparation ensures that liquid crystal droplets are oriented uniformly during the solidification process itself, eliminating the need for post-processing orientation steps while achieving high light transmittance through uniform optical axis alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new dimension of control by creating reaction active sites on the substrate surface that extend into the polymer matrix. This three-dimensional network of anchoring points provides directional guidance for polymer chain growth and liquid crystal droplet orientation, transforming the random orientation problem into a controlled alignment process without complicating the manufacturing workflow.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves optical transmittance and wide-viewing-angle display effects by ensuring uniform light transmission and scattering across various angles.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of polymer contained in the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is bonded to the reaction active sites
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention disclose a liquid crystal panel and a manufacturing method thereof, and a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal panel comprises two substrates disposed to be cell-aligned, reaction active sites for polymerization reaction are evenly formed on surfaces of the two substrates in opposition to each other, and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is disposed between the two substrates. At least a part of polymer contained in the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer is bonded to the reaction active sites.