Preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-doped epoxy-based thin PDLC films (smart glass)

We are reporting the preparation and characterization of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) smart glass panel thin films using epoxy resin monomers/hardener/nematic liquid crystal (NLCs)/silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In this system, we have been arranged polymerization-induced phase separation heat curing method. We have been prepared the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by a solution method. After preparation of AgNPs, the detailed characteristics and morphology were analyzed by employing X-ray diffractometer used for crystal structure, average crystallite size, and microstrain analysis of AgNPs and observed the morphology of microstructure of the NPs under atomic force microscopy. The current study particularly focuses on the relationship of the three epoxy resins and AgNPs PDLC films system A, B and C based on feed and mol ratio. The prepared smart glass panel films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and liquid crystal device parameters tester. The morphologies and liquid crystal device technique have been studied which strongly confirms the interaction of microstructures of the PDLC films system with (AgNPs). It is observed that increasing the feed ratio of AgNPs-doped PDLC films exhibited better optical and electro-optical (E-O) properties. In result, AgNPs-doped films possess low driving voltages and high CR. Moreover, the studies here provide a new approach to optimize the E-O properties of smart glass technology by introducing epoxy resins with AgNPs.