Abstract
The methods to control the size and uniformity of phase-separated LC domains were discussed for the (polymer/LC) composite films prepared by a solvent cast method from a uniform solution. In the case of the composite film formed from a mixed solution including a small amount of nonsolvent to the matrix polymer, it was found from morhological observations that the domain sizes of LC remarkably increased and the degree of distribution of LC domain sizes decreased. From the time-resolved light scatering behavior during solvent evaporation, it was found that the resulting size and uniformity of LC domains were strongly dependent on the degree of solubility between solvent and polymer. The electro-optical properties of the composite films were directly dependent on the size and uniformity of LC domains in the polymer matrix. The driving voltage decreased with increasing the size and uniformity of LC domains.
