2022 年 65 巻 10 号 p. 460-465
Thermoresponsive switchable window glasses were developed with meso- (submicron- to micron-) scale composites of orientation-co-ordered liquid crystals (LCs) and reactive mesogens (RMs). These structures are called polymer network liquid crystals (PNLCs). These were produced through a simple self-assembly process or photopolymerization induced phase separation (PPIPS), conducted by ultraviolet irradiation. Transparent and hazy states thermoresponsively change, caused by nematic-to-isotropic phase transition. This switchability changes backscattering intensity and consequently controls hemispherical transmittance as well as optical clarity. The PNLCs have practical applications to energy-saving smart windows because of their simple fabrication process, adaptability, and durability.
