Monomer-liquid crystal emulsions for switchable films

We have followed the phase separation process in mixtures of an organic monomer and nematic liquid crystals at different cooling rates. Systems form liquid crystal droplets in a liquid crystal-saturated monomer matrix and in some cases emulsions are stable over several months. Homogeneous droplet size distributions are obtained for faster cooling rates. We report the droplet size distribution, the behavior of the critical solution temperature as a function of liquid crystal content, and some electro-optical properties of different emulsions. The long stability and the electro-optical response show that such systems could be used as promising, low voltage, switchable films. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(98)02319-6].