Stabilization of liquid crystal dispersion by nonionic surfactant/acrylamide copolymer containing hydrophobic moieties

The effect of nonionic surfactant (H(OCH₂-CH₂)₈-OC₆H ₄-C₉H₁₉, NP-8) and acrylamide copolymer containing nonylphenyl groups as hydrophobic moieties on the stabilization of liquid crystal (LC)-in-water dispersion has been studied. According to cloud point and adsorption measurements, the hydrophobically strong interaction between NP-8 and the nonylphenol moieties is formed. And the addition of surfactant increases the stability of LC dispersion and improves the electrooptical properties of the nematic curvilinear aligned phase (NCAP) composite film. It is due to the presence of surfactant which allows the formation of nonpolar microenvironment in the round of LC droplet and finally reduces the anchoring effect between LC and the polymeric wall.