Optical properties of light-scattering polarizing film using LC-PVA-CNF composite

Abstract

Light scattering polarizer consisting of uniaxially stretched polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) has attracted attention since it is expected to improve the optical efficiency of conventional LCDs. Light scattering polarizers are made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in which elongated LC microdroplets are dispersed. Here we doped cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) to a LC-PVA composite with the aim to reinforce the mechanical rigidity of the composite. CNFs were obtained from a small brock of bacteria cellulose via the TEMPO-catalyzed oxidation method. We found that the CNF-doped LC-PVA composite is capable of large deformation and the resultant scattering polarizer has an highly improved extinction ratio.