Polymerizable Liquid Crystal Compounds for Thin Retardation Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal compounds with high birefringence face challenges in orientation when coated on films, limiting their industrial application in phase retarders due to poor membrane alignment.
Innovation Solution
A polymerizable liquid crystal compound with a specific chemical structure, including a bicyclic hydrocarbon and naphthalene rings, is developed, which exhibits high birefringence and excellent orientation during coating, enabling the creation of thin, optically anisotropic bodies with superior optical properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid crystal compounds with high birefringence are used, then the retardation value can be achieved with smaller quantity and thinner film, but the orientation of the membrane deteriorates when coated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of liquid crystal compounds by introducing specific groups (bicyclic hydrocarbon, naphthalene ring, polymerizable group) to simultaneously achieve high birefringence and good coating orientation, resolving the contradiction between quantity reduction and orientation quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite liquid crystal compound structure combining multiple functional groups (bicyclic hydrocarbon core, naphthalene ring for birefringence, polymerizable group for orientation) to achieve both high birefringence and excellent coating orientation properties
2Length of stationary object
If liquid crystal compounds with high birefringence are used, then thinner film can be prepared, but the orientation problem limits industrial application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the liquid crystal compound by incorporating bicyclic hydrocarbon and naphthalene ring structures, which provide both high birefringence for thin film application and molecular characteristics that ensure reliable orientation during coating
Solution Approach 2:
The polymerizable group acts as an intermediary that enables the liquid crystal compound to maintain both high birefringence for thin film formation and good orientation properties by allowing polymerization-induced alignment during the coating process
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 polymerizable liquid crystal compound achieves high birefringence and excellent orientation, resulting in thin optically anisotropic bodies with enhanced optical properties and reduced light leakage, suitable for applications like retardation films and polarizing plates.
Implementation Method 1
the polarization direction (direction of electric field vector) becomes a sum of two elements (an ordinary ray and an extraordinary ray) parallel or perpendicular to the optic axis, and changes after passing the phase retarder because the vector sum of two elements varies according to the birefringence and the thickness of the phase retarder
Implementation Method 2
an optically anisotropic body including a hardened material or polymer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystal composition including the same, and an optically anisotropic body. The polymerizable liquid crystal compound according to the present invention has not only high birefringence but also excellent coating orientation, and thus it is possible to prepare a optically anisotropic body which is thin but superior in optical properties.