Glass dispersed liquid crystals

Abstract

Abstract Sol-gel processes have been used to trap liquid crystal droplets into silica gel glasses. Several monomer mixtures and liquid crystals have been used. In most cases, trapping of spherical droplets has been achieved and droplet sizes from < 1 to 200 μm have been obtained. Switching between opaque and transparent states has been successfully tested; the voltages required for switching and the electrooptical response times are related to pore surface composition. These voltages and times are similar to those found in polymer dispersed spherical droplets.