Polymerizable Dichroic Dyes for Electro-Optical Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dichroic dyes and liquid crystalline polymer compositions lack effective means to achieve desired spectral working ranges and solubility for applications in electro-optical and optical devices, such as polarizers and filters, with limited control over liquid crystalline properties and color effects.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a dichroic dye of specific formula and a polymerizable liquid crystal, along with optional additives like cross-linkers and photoinitiators, is used to create a dichroic polymer network or liquid crystalline polymer film that can be UV or thermally polymerized, allowing for controlled orientation and enhanced color effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional dichroic dyes are used, then color effects are achieved, but spectral working ranges and solubility are insufficient for electro-optical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of dichroic dyes by introducing polymerizable groups (vinyl, methacrylate, acrylate) at positions 2 and/or 6 of the anthraquinone nucleus. This structural parameter change enables both improved solubility in polymerizable liquid crystals and tailored spectral properties through controlled polymerization, resolving the contradiction between solubility and spectral adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite systems by combining polymerizable dichroic dyes with polymerizable liquid crystal materials. The resulting composite undergoes polymerization to form a network structure that simultaneously achieves desired solubility during processing and tailored spectral properties in the final electro-optical device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dichroic dyes are incorporated into liquid crystalline polymer compositions, then color effects are achieved, but control over liquid crystalline properties is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying the substitution patterns (positions 2 and/or 6) and types of polymerizable groups on the anthraquinone nucleus. This enables independent optimization of both color effects and liquid crystalline properties, providing precise control over the final material characteristics without increasing device complexity.
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
The composition enables the production of dichroic polymer networks and films with tailored spectral properties and improved solubility, enhancing their use in electro-optical and optical devices, including polarizers and filters, by controlling liquid crystalline properties and achieving specific color effects.
Implementation Method 1
UV or thermally polymerized, allowing for controlled orientation and enhanced color effects
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to new dichroic dyes, their composition with slave materials and their use for a dichroic polymer network, a dichroic liquid crystalline polymer film (LCP film) or a dichroic liquid crystalline polymer gel, which for instance find application as electro- optical or optical devices.