The effect of fluorine-substituted acrylate monomers on the electro-optical and morphological properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystals

The effects of fluorinated acryate monomers on the electro-optical and morp hological properties of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films are r eported. The partial fluorination of host polymer matrices resulted in impr oved optical properties and better defined morphologies. An enhancement in contrast ratio was observed for fluorinated systems containing trifluoroeth yl acrylate (TFEA) and hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate (HFIPA). Conversely? th e incorporation of methyl acrylate (MA)? a chemically similar non-fluorinat ed acrylate, resulted in no appreciable change in contrast ratio and an inc rease in relaxation time. Scanning electron microscopy morphological studie s were conducted to understand further the influence of fluorinated monomer s in PDLC systems.