Photoinitiator release improves PDLC electro-optical performance.

In this paper, polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films of acrylate polymer systems were fabricated by polymerization-induced phase separation. It was a complex process involving simultaneous curing and phase separation to form nematic microdomains. We also have examined the morphology of PDLC films, which show great potential for electro-optic applications. Here we used the adsorbability of white carbon black and loaded the photoinitiator (IRG651) in it to prepare PDLC films. Electrooptic devices based on the PDLC films were constructed by using indium-tin-oxide transparent electrodes, and the electro-optic responsivity was also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]