TW201307533A - Liquid crystal composition - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal film and a display device are provided. The liquid crystal composition can be uniformly aligned with no problems such as dewetting in an operation of aligning horizontally alignable liquid crystals. Also, a state of the aligned liquid crystal compound can be stably maintained.

Description

Liquid crystal composition

The priority of Korean Patent Application No. 2011-0037239, filed on Apr. 21, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, the entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire content

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal film, and a display.

There is a consistent need to make thinner, lighter, larger area liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or plasma liquid crystal display panels (PDPs). Furthermore, research to improve display uniformity, contrast, and viewing angle is underway to achieve higher quality images.

Optical films including brightness enhancement films, retardation films or viewing angle compensation films can be used to reduce variations in display color, ensure viewing angle and better brightness.

It is known that an elongated film prepared by extending a polymer film to impart optical anisotropy can be used as such an optical film, and the optical anisotropy of a liquid crystal film produced by curing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound can be used. Methods are also known in the art. The horizontally aligned liquid crystal system is commonly used in the method of using the optical anisotropy of the above liquid crystal film.

However, in the operation of forming a liquid crystal layer from the horizontally aligned liquid crystal, it is important to achieve effective alignment of the liquid crystal and to secure the alignment stability. In the case of the horizontally aligned liquid crystal, due to the liquid crystal and the base The bonding force between the material layer or the liquid crystal and the alignment layer is weak, and even if there is high attraction between the liquid crystals, it is difficult to maintain uniform alignment of the liquid crystal. Further, when the horizontally aligned liquid crystal is aligned, problems such as dehumidification may be caused in a part of the liquid crystal layer.

When the drying time required to form the liquid crystal layer is increased, an increase in temperature may occur during the operation of forming the liquid crystal layer, or the liquid crystal layer may be formed on an uneven surface, which may cause the above-described alignment-related problems.

The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal film, and a display.

One aspect of the present invention provides a liquid crystal composition comprising a horizontally aligned liquid crystal compound and an amine compound. Throughout the specification, the term "horizontal alignment liquid crystal compound" may mean a liquid crystal compound in which, when a liquid crystal layer is formed, an optical axis formed by a liquid crystal compound may form about 0° with a plane of the liquid crystal layer. An angle of inclination of about 25°, about 0° to about 15°, from about 0° to about 10°, from about 0° to about 5°, or about 0°. Moreover, throughout the specification, the term "optical axis" may mean a slow or fast axis when light passes through a corresponding region. In general, the term "optical axis" can mean a slow axis.

According to an example of the present invention, the liquid crystal compound may be a polymerized liquid crystal compound. The term "polymeric liquid crystal compound" may mean a compound having a moiety capable of exhibiting a liquid crystal property, for example, a liquid crystal original skeleton, and also containing at least one polymeric functional group.

According to an example of the present invention, the liquid crystalline compound is a polymerized liquid crystal compound which may include a polyfunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound and a monofunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound. "Multifunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound" A polymerizable liquid crystal compound containing two or more polymerizable functional groups. For example, the polyfunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound may contain 2 to 10, 2 to 8, 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 2 to 4, 2 to 3, or 2 polymeric functional groups. Furthermore, the term "monofunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound" may mean a polymeric liquid crystal compound containing a polymeric functional group.

When a polyfunctional and monofunctional polymeric compound is used at the same time, the phase retardation characteristic of the liquid crystal layer formed by the liquid crystal composition can be effectively adjusted, and the phase retardation characteristic obtained can be stably maintained, for example, by delaying the optical axis of the layer or Phase delay value.

The liquid crystal composition may include more than 0 parts by weight or not more than 100 parts by weight, 1 part by weight to 90 parts by weight, 1 part by weight to 80 parts by weight, and 1 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyfunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound. Parts to 70 parts by weight, 1 part by weight to 60 parts by weight, 1 part by weight to 50 parts by weight, 1 part by weight to 30 parts by weight, or 1 part by weight to 20 parts by weight of the monofunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

The mixing effect of the polyfunctional and monofunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound can be maximized within the above content range. Unless specifically defined in the specification, the unit "parts by weight" may mean a weight ratio.

The liquid crystal composition can satisfy the requirements of the following formula 1: Formula 1 X < 8%

In Formula 1, based on the initial phase difference value of the liquid crystal layer, X represents an absolute value percentage (%) of a variable of a phase difference value of one of the liquid crystal layers maintained at 80 ° C for 100 hours, and the liquid crystal layer is It is formed of the liquid crystal composition.

For example, X can be calculated as follows: 100 × (| R _{0 -} R ₁ |) / R ₀ . In the present specification, R ₀ is an initial phase difference value of a liquid crystal layer, and R ₁ represents a phase difference value of a liquid crystal layer maintained at 80 ° C for 100 or 250 hours. For example, "X" may be 7% or less, 6% or less, or 5% or less. The variation of the phase difference value can be measured by the method described in the following examples.

For example, the polyfunctional or monofunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound may be a compound represented by the following formula 1.

In Formula 1, A is a single bond, -COO- or -OCO-, and R ₁ to R ₁₀ are each independently hydrogen, monohalogen, monoalkyl, monoalkoxy, monoalkoxycarbonyl, cyanide a group, a mononitro group, an -OQP or a substituent of the following formula 2, or a pair of two adjacent substituents of R ₁ to R ₅ or a pair of two adjacent substituents of R ₆ to R ₁₀ together form an O-OQP a substituted benzene ring, with the proviso that at least one of the substituents R ₁ to R ₁₀ is -OQP or a substituent of the following formula 2, or a substituent of the two adjacent R ₁ to R ₅ and The at least one of the two adjacent R ₆ to R ₁₀ substituents together form an -OQP substituted benzene ring wherein Q is an alkylene group or a alkylidene group, and P is a polymeric functional group such as An alkenyl group, a monoepoxy group, a monocyano group, a monocarboxy group, a propylene group, a monomethacryl oxime group, a propylene methoxy group or a methacryloxy group.

[Formula 2]

In Formula 2, B is a single bond, -COO- or -OCO-, and R ₁₁ to R ₁₅ are each independently hydrogen, monohalogen, monoalkyl, monoalkoxy, monocyano, mononitro Or -OQP, with the proviso that at least one of the substituents R ₁₁ to R ₁₅ is -OQP, wherein Q is an alkylene group or a monoalkylidene group, and P is a polymeric functional group such as a monoene A group, an epoxy group, a monocyano group, a monocarboxy group, a propylene fluorenyl group, a monomethacryl fluorenyl group, an acryloxy group or a methacryloxy group.

Throughout the specification, the symbol " "It is intended that a part of the symbol is linked to a mother compound. For example, in Formula 2, the symbol on the left side of B" "It is intended that B is directly attached to the benzene ring in Formula 1.

Throughout the specification, the term "single bond" is intended to mean that there is no additional atom or atomic group at a corresponding position. For example, the term "single bond" in Formulas 1 and 2 is intended to mean that there is no additional atom in the portion represented by A or B. When A in Formula 1 is a single bond, for example, a benzene ring on both sides of A may be directly bonded to form a biphenyl structure.

In the present specification, a halogen which can be used in the present invention may include: chlorine, bromine, or iodine.

Unless specifically defined in the specification, the alkyl group usable in the present invention may include: one having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, 1 to 16 carbon atoms, 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, Or a linear or branched alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or one having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, 3 to 16 carbon atoms, 3 to 12 carbon atoms, 3 to 8 carbon atoms, or 3 A cycloalkyl group of up to 6 carbon atoms. The alkyl group may optionally be substituted by one or more substituents.

Unless specifically defined in the specification, alkoxy groups useful in the present invention may include: one having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, 1 to 16 carbon atoms, 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, Or an alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The alkoxy group may be linear, branched or cyclic. Furthermore, the alkoxy group may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents.

Furthermore, unless specifically defined in the specification, an alkylene or alkylidene group which may be used in the present invention may include: one having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, 1 to 16 carbon atoms, 1 to 12 carbon atoms, An alkyl or alkylidene group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 to 4 carbon atoms, 4 to 10 carbon atoms, or 6 to 9 carbon atoms. The alkylene or alkylidene group may be straight chain, branched or cyclic. The alkyl or alkylidene group may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents.

Furthermore, unless otherwise specified in the specification, alkenyl groups useful in the present invention may include: one having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, 2 to 16 carbon atoms, 2 to 12 carbon atoms, 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Or an alkenyl group of 2 to 4 carbon atoms. The alkenyl group may be straight chain, branched or cyclic. Furthermore, the alkenyl group may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents.

In the present specification, the substituent which may be substituted by any compound or substituent may include, but is not limited to, monoalkyl, monoalkoxy, monoalkenyl, and Epoxy group, monocyano group, monocarboxy group, monopropenyl group, monomethacryl fluorenyl group, monopropenyloxy group, monomethacryloxy group or monoaryl group.

In Formulas 1 and 2, P may be an acryl fluorenyl group, a monomethacryl fluorenyl group, an acryloxy group or a methacryloxy group, and may be an acryloxy group or a methacryloxy group. The base may be an acryloxy group.

The -OQP occurring in at least one of Formulas 1 and 2 or the residue of Formula 2 may be, for example, at a position of R ₃ , R ₈ or R ₁₃ . For example, the number of -OQPs can be one or two. Further, in the compound of Formula 1 or the residue of Formula 2, the substituent other than -OQP or the residue of Formula 2 may be, for example, hydrogen, monohalogen, a linear chain having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Or a branched alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a monocyano group or a mononitro group. According to another example of the present invention, the substituent other than -OQP or the residue of Formula 2 may be chlorine, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and 4 to 12 carbons. a cycloalkyl group of an atom, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a cyano group.

The above liquid crystal composition includes an amine compound. The amine compound can be reacted with a polymerizable functional group of the liquid crystal compound, for example, in the alignment operation of the liquid crystal compound, the amine compound can be used to uniformly align the liquid crystal compound without problems such as dehumidification, and It is possible to ensure alignment stability after alignment.

As the amine compound, a compound having the above functions can be used without particular limitation. According to an example of the present invention, a compound represented by the following formula 3 can be used as the compound.

[Formula 3]

In Formula 3, R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ are each independently a monovalent hydrocarbon, -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )(R ₁₉ ), -L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n Or -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )-L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n , or together form a single bond or a linking unit represented by the following formula 4, wherein R ₁₈ and R _{19 is} each independently hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon, n is an integer of 0 to 2, and L ₁ to L ₃ are each independently a single bond or a linking unit of formula 4.

However, in Formula 3, when both L ₁ and L ₂ represent a single bond, R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ may not be hydrogen at the same time.

In Formula 4, L _a and L _e are each independently a single bond, an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, L _c is an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and L _b and L _d are each independently one. A single bond, -O-, -C(=O)-, -NH-, -CH=CH-, CONH-, a cycloalkylene group or an extended aryl group.

Throughout the specification, the term "monovalent hydrocarbons" may mean a monovalent residue derived from an organic compound composed of carbon and hydrogen, or a derivative thereof. According to an example of the present invention, one of the valent hydrocarbons usable in the present invention may include: one having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, 1 to 16 carbon atoms, 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or A hydrocarbon of one to one of four carbon atoms. In particular, one of the valent hydrocarbons useful in the present invention may include, but is not limited to, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an aryl group.

Furthermore, unless specifically defined in the specification, the term "aryl or aryl" may mean a divalent derived from a compound having a benzene ring or a structure comprising two or more benzene rings attached or condensed. a residue, or a derivative thereof. That is, in addition to the aryl group generally referred to as the aryl group, for example, an aralkyl group or an arylalkyl group may be included in the category of the above-mentioned "aryl group". For example, such an aryl or aryl group can be an aryl or aryl group having 6 to 25 carbon atoms, 6 to 21 carbon atoms, 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or 6 to 13 carbon atoms.

Further, in Formulas 3 and 4, the cycloalkyl group usable in the present invention may include: one having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, 3 to 16 carbon atoms, 3 to 12 carbon atoms, or 3 to 8 carbons. The ring of atoms is extended to alkyl. Such cycloalkyl groups may optionally be substituted by one or more substituents.

According to an example of the present invention, the amine compound which can be used in the present invention may be a compound in which each of L ₁ and L ₂ is a single bond, R ₁₆ is hydrogen, and R ₁₇ is a monovalent hydrocarbon or - L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )(R ₁₉ ), and L ₃ is an alkylene or alkylidene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R ₁₈ and R ₁₉ are each independently hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon. For example, a monovalent hydrocarbon in the compound may be a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms or 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a 3 to 16 A cycloalkyl group having a carbon atom, 3 to 12 carbon atoms, 3 to 8 carbon atoms, or 3 to 6 carbon atoms. For example, such compounds useful in the present invention may include, but are not limited to, methylamine, ethylamine, 1-propylamine, 2-propylamine, 1-butylamine, 2-butylamine, 3 - dimethylaminopropylamine, cyclopropylamine, cyclobutylamine or cyclohexylamine.

According to an example of the present invention, the amine compound which can be used in the present invention may be a compound in which each of L ₁ and L ₂ is a single bond, and R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ are each independently a monovalent hydrocarbon or -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )(R ₁₉ ), L ₃ is an alkylene or alkylidene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R ₁₈ and R ₁₉ are each independently hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon. For example, the monovalent hydrocarbon in the compound may be a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms or 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or one having 3 to A cycloalkyl group of 16 carbon atoms, 3 to 12 carbon atoms, 3 to 8 carbon atoms, or 3 to 6 carbon atoms. For example, such compounds useful in the present invention may include, but are not limited to, dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine or dibutylamine.

According to another example of the present invention, the amine compound useful in the present invention may be a compound in which each of L ₁ and L ₂ is a single bond, and R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ may together form a link of Formula 4. unit. In this type of connecting unit of such compounds present in the 4, for example, each of L _a, L _d and L _e may be a single bond, L _b may be a single bond, -O -, - C (= O ) -, - NH- or -CONH-, and L _c is an alkylene group can have 1 to 12 carbon atoms or 1 to 8 carbon atoms. As such, according to another example of the present invention, L _b may be a single bond, -O- or -C(=O)-, or may be a single bond or -C(=O)-. Such compounds useful in the present invention may include: azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperididine, 2-azetidinone, 2-pyrrolidone ( 2-pyrrolidinone) or 2-piperidinone.

According to still another example of the present invention, the amine compound useful in the present invention may be a compound wherein, in Formula 3, R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ are each independently a monovalent hydrocarbon, -L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n or -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )-L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n . For example, the compound may be a compound in which each of R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ is -L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n or -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )- L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n , L ₁ and L ₂ are each independently a single bond or a linking unit of the formula 4, with the proviso that, in the formula 4, each L _a , L _b , L _d and L _e are a single bond, L _c is an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and L ₃ is one having 1 An alkyl group of up to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R ₁₈ and R ₁₉ are each independently 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms Or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Such compounds useful in the present invention may include bis(3-trimethoxydecylpropyl)amine, bis(3-triethoxydecylpropyl)amine, bis(3-trimethoxydecylpropyl)ethylene. Amine or bis(3-triethoxydecylpropyl)ethylenediamine.

According to still another example of the present invention, the compound may be a compound wherein R ₁₆ is a valent hydrocarbon having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms or 1 to 4 carbon atoms. a class, for example, a monoalkyl group, each of L ₁ and L ₂ being a single bond, and R ₁₇ is -L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n or -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ ) -L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n , wherein L ₃ is an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms or 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R18 and R19 are each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 1 to 8 carbon atoms or 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Such compounds useful in the present invention may include, but are not limited to, N-(n-butyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxydecane, N-(n-butyl)-3-aminopropyltri Ethoxy decane, N-methylaminopropyl trimethoxy decane or N-methylaminopropyl triethoxy decane.

In the liquid crystal composition, the content of the amine compound is not particularly limited, but the desired effect can be selected and selected. According to an example of the present invention, the amine compound may be contained in an amount of from 0.01 part by weight to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the horizontally-aligned liquid crystal compound. Within the above content range, an effective and uniform alignment and alignment stability of the horizontally aligned liquid crystal compound can be ensured.

When the liquid crystal compound is a polymerized liquid crystal compound, the liquid crystal composition may further include a polymerization initiator, for example, a photopolymerization initiator. For example, the photopolymerization initiator can initiate polymerization of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound by irradiation with light. In the present specification, light irradiation may, for example, mean electromagnetic wave irradiation, such as microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), X-ray or γ-ray, or particle beam, such as α-particle beam, proton beam, neutron Bunch or electron beam.

The kind of the photopolymerization initiator is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. Photopolymerization initiators useful in the present invention may include: benzyl (also known as "diphenylethylenedione"), benzoin isobutyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, benzophenone, benzamidine Formic acid, methotrexate benzoate, 4-benzylidene-4'-methylbiphenyl sulfide, benzylmethyl ketal, dimethylamine methyl benzoate, 2-n -butoxyethyl-4-dimethylamine benzoate, isoamyl p-dimethylamine benzoate, 3-3'-dimethyl-4-methoxybenzophenone, A Benzobenzamide, 2-methyl-1-(4-(methylthio)phenyl)-2-morpholinylpropan-1-one, 2-benzyl-2-dimethyl Amine-1-(4-morpholinylphenyl)-butan-1-one, 1-(4-dodecylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one, 1-hydroxyl Cyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-one, 1-(4-isobutylphenyl)-2- Hydroxy-2-methylpropan-1-one, 2-chlorothioxanthone, 2,4-diethylthioxanthone, 2,4-diisopropylthioxanthone, 2,4-dimethylthiophene Tons of ketone, isopropyl thioxanthone or 1-chloro-4-propoxythioxanthone. The photopolymerization initiator can be used together with a suitable sensitizer, if necessary.

The specific content of the photopolymerization initiator is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the photopolymerization initiator may be included in an amount of from 1 part by weight to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the horizontally-aligned liquid crystal compound, but the invention is not limited thereto. When the content of the photopolymerization initiator is too low, a suitable polymerization reaction cannot be performed. Conversely, when the content of the photopolymerization initiator is too high, since a residual initiator is present after the formation of the liquid crystal layer, The physical properties of the liquid crystal layer may be attenuated. Therefore, the content of the photopolymerization initiator can be selected in consideration of such factors.

The liquid crystal composition may further comprise an interfacial surfactant. As such, the surfactants useful in the present invention may include, for example, a monofluorocarbon or lanthanide surfactant. In the present specification, Fluorad FC4430, Fluorad FC4432, Fluorad FC4434 (3M, US) or Zonyl (Dupont, US) may be used as the fluorocarbon-based surfactant, and BYK (BYK-Chemie) may be used as the lanthanide system. The surfactant is, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The content of the surfactant is not particularly limited. For example, the surfactant may be included in an amount of 0.05 to 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the horizontally aligned liquid crystal compound. When the content of the surfactant is too low, the surface state of the liquid crystal layer is not good. Conversely, when the content of the surfactant is too high, stains may occur due to the presence of the surfactant. Therefore, the content of the surfactant can be selected in consideration of this factor.

Furthermore, the liquid crystal composition may further comprise a solvent. For example, the solvent usable in the present invention may include: a halogenated hydrocarbon such as chloroform, dichloromethane, tetrachloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene or chlorobenzene; an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, Toluene, xylene, methoxybenzene or 1,2-dimethoxybenzene; monoalcohol, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone or cyclopentanone; one cellulu, such as methyl race Sue, ethyl sirolius or butyl sirolius; or monoether, such as diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DEGDME), dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether (DPGDME), etc., but the invention is not limited this. The above solvent may be contained in the form of a single solvent or a mixed solvent. The content of the solvent in the liquid crystal composition is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected in consideration of the desired effect, for example, a coating property or the like.

If necessary, the liquid crystal composition may further include a known additive other than the above compound, for example, a polymeric non-liquid crystal compound, a stabilizer or a non-polymerizable non-liquid crystal compound.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a liquid crystal film (LCF). The LCF according to an example of the present invention may include: a liquid crystal layer including the above liquid crystal composition.

The liquid crystal layer may comprise a horizontally aligned liquid crystal compound in a horizontal alignment state. According to an example of the present invention, the compound can be polymerized in a horizontal alignment state so that the compound can be contained in the liquid crystal layer. Throughout the specification, the term "horizontal alignment" may mean an optical axis comprising a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal compound, the optical axis forming between about 0° and about 25°, and about 0° to about 15 between a plane of the liquid crystal layer. °, an angle of inclination of from about 0° to about 10°, from about 0° to about 5°, or about 0°.

For example, the liquid crystal layer may include a horizontally aligned liquid crystal compound, and the liquid crystal compound may be contained therein in a polymerized form. Furthermore, in the present specification, the phrase "polymeric liquid crystal compound contained in a polymerized form" may mean a state in which the liquid crystal compound is polymerized to form a skeleton of a liquid crystal polymer in the liquid crystal layer ( That is, a main chain or a side chain).

In addition, the liquid crystal layer may include a polymerized liquid crystal compound in a non-polymerized state, or may further include a known additive such as a polymeric non-liquid crystal compound, a stabilizer, a non-polymeric non-liquid crystal compound or A starter.

The liquid crystal film can be used in a variety of different application levels. According to an example of the invention, the liquid crystal layer exhibits a phase retardation characteristic. Therefore, the liquid crystal film can be applied to a retardation film, a viewing angle compensation film, and a reflective polarizing plate, which can be applied to a display such as an LCD. According to an example of the present invention, the liquid crystal layer may be a retardation layer exhibiting 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4 wavelength layer properties. Throughout the specification, an "n-wavelength layer" may refer to a delay element that retards the incidence of light into the wavelength layer by n times the wavelength range of light.

According to an example of the present invention, the liquid crystal layer has a difference of in-plane refractive indexes in a slow axis direction and a fast axis direction of 0.05 to 0.2, 0.07 to 0.2, 0.09 to 0.2 or 0.1 to 0.2. In this way, the planar refractive index in the slow axis direction can represent the refractive index in the direction of the maximum refractive index defined with respect to the plane of the liquid crystal layer, and the in-plane refractive index in the fast axis direction can be expressed. : refractive index in the direction of the minimum refractive index defined relative to the plane of the liquid crystal layer. Generally formed in an optical The fast axis and the slow axis in the anisotropic liquid crystal layer are perpendicular to each other. Each refractive index can be measured at light wavelengths of 550 nm or 589 nm. For example, the deviation of the refractive index can be measured using Axoscan (available from Axomatrix) according to the manufacturer's manual. Further, the liquid crystal layer has a thickness of about 0.5 μm to 2.0 μm or about 0.5 μm to 1.5 μm. The liquid crystal layer satisfies the relationship of the refractive index and has a thickness which exhibits a phase retardation characteristic suitable for the application level.

The liquid crystal film according to an example of the present invention may further include a substrate layer. When the liquid crystal film includes a substrate layer, the liquid crystal layer may be formed on at least one surface of the substrate layer. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal film 100 in which a liquid crystal layer 101 is formed on a surface of a substrate layer 102, according to an example of the present invention.

Various different types of substrate layers can be used in the present invention. According to an example of the present invention, an optically uniform substrate layer, an optically anisotropic substrate layer, for example, a retardation layer exhibiting a phase retardation property or a polarizing element can be used as the substrate layer.

A transparent substrate layer, such as a glass or transparent plastic substrate layer, can be used as the substrate layer of the optically uniformity. Examples of the plastic substrate layer which can be used in the present invention may include a cellulose substrate layer such as a diacetyl cellulose (DAC) or triacetyl cellulose (TAC) substrate layer; a cyclic-olefin copolymer ( COP) a substrate layer, such as a layer of a raw norbornene derivative resin substrate; an acrylic substrate layer such as a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrate layer; a polycarbonate (PC) substrate a layer of an olefin-based substrate, such as a polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) substrate layer; a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) substrate layer; Ether (PES) substrate layer; a polydiether ketone (PEEK) substrate layer; a polyether phthalimide (PEI) substrate layer; a polyethylene naphthalene (PEN) substrate layer; a polyester a substrate layer, such as a polyethylene terephthalic acid (PET) substrate layer; a poly-liminamide (PI) substrate layer; a polyfluorene (PSF) substrate layer; a polyaryl ester (PAR) substrate A layer or a layer of a fluororesin base material. For example, the substrate layer can be in the form of a sheet or film.

For example, a 1/4 wavelength layer or a 1/2 wavelength layer can be used as the optically anisotropic substrate layer, for example, the retardation layer. The retardation layer may be a liquid crystal polymer layer formed by aligning and polymerizing a polymerized liquid crystal compound, or a plastic film or sheet which provides birefringence by extending or shortening the process.

A typical element known in the art can be used as the polarizing element. For example, an element may be used as the polarizing element, wherein the element is obtained by absorbing a dichroic dye onto a polyvinyl alcohol resin and aligning the polyvinyl alcohol resin.

The substrate layer can be subjected to various surface treatments such as low reflection treatment, anti-reflection treatment, anti-glare treatment, and/or high-resolution anti-glare treatment, if necessary.

According to an example of the present invention, the liquid crystal film may further include an alignment layer formed between the substrate layer and the liquid crystal layer. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, the liquid crystal film 100 may include an alignment layer as an additional layer formed between the substrate layer 102 and the liquid crystal layer 101. The alignment layer can be used to align a liquid crystal compound during formation of the liquid crystal film. A typical alignment layer known in the art can be used, for example, an alignment layer formed by an imprint method, a photo alignment layer, or a friction alignment layer. For the alignment layer. The alignment layer is a selective element and imparts an alignment property to the substrate layer without the need to directly rub or extend the substrate layer to use an alignment layer.

Further, the present invention provides a method of producing a liquid crystal film. According to an example of the present invention, the method for fabricating the liquid crystal film described above may include forming a liquid crystal layer using the liquid crystal composition.

In this way, the liquid crystal layer can be prepared, for example, by forming an alignment layer; forming a coating of the liquid crystal composition on the alignment layer; and polymerizing the liquid crystal composition in an alignment state to form a liquid crystal composition. Liquid crystal layer. In this case, for example, the alignment layer may be formed on the above substrate layer.

The method for forming the alignment layer may, for example, be a method of rubbing a polymer film (for example, poly-liminamide); coating a photo-alignment compound and aligning the light to the compound by irradiating linearly polarized light; or pressing Printing, such as nanoimprinting. Various methods of forming the alignment layer that can align the horizontally aligned liquid crystal compound are known in the art.

The coating of the liquid crystal composition can be formed by coating a composition onto an alignment layer by a method known in the art. For example, a liquid crystal composition can be aligned by an alignment pattern of an alignment layer disposed under the coating layer, and the liquid crystal composition is polymerized to form a liquid crystal layer.

Further, the present invention directly provides a display. According to an example of the present invention, the display may include: the liquid crystal film. For example, the display can be a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The above liquid crystal film can be widely used in displays and the like. For example, the liquid crystal film can be effectively used as an optical compensation substrate for an LCD. Therefore, the liquid crystal film can be included in the LCD as the optical compensation substrate. For example, the liquid crystal film can also be used as a retardation film, such as a super twisted nematic (STN) LCD, a thin film transistor twisted nematic (TFT-TN) LCD, a vertical alignment (VA) LCD or a In-plane switching (IPS) LCD; a 1/2 wavelength plate; a 1/4 wavelength plate; a film having inverse wavelength dispersion characteristics; an optical compensation film; a color filter; and a polarizing plate or a polarizer a laminated film; a polarizing plate compensation film or the like.

The method of arranging the display using the liquid crystal film is not particularly limited depending on the application level of the liquid crystal film. The number of films mounted in the LCD and the method of configuring the LCD in accordance with the application level of the liquid crystal film are well known in the art. In this case, all methods are applicable to the present invention.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the liquid crystal composition will be described in detail. However, the liquid crystal composition is not limited to the embodiments described below.

Example 1

A composition for forming a photoalignment layer is coated on the surface of a TAC substrate layer (refractive index: 1.49, thickness: 80,000 nm) so that the dried coating has a thickness of up to about 1,000 Å and is in an oven. The drying was carried out at 80 ° C for 2 minutes. Using a composition (as polynorbornene: acrylic monomer: photoinitiator = 2:1: 0.25 (by weight ratio)) as the photoalignment layer a composition wherein the composition is prepared by mixing a photoinitiator (Irgacure 907) with a mixture of an acrylic monomer and polynorbornene (Mw = 150,000), and the polynorbornene has The cinnamate group of the formula A is further prepared; then the mixture obtained above is dissolved in a toluene solvent to have a solid concentration of the polynorbornene up to 2 wt%.

The dried composition used to form the photoalignment layer is subjected to an alignment treatment to form a photoalignment layer. A wire grid polarizing plate that can generate linearly polarized light in a predetermined direction is disposed on the dried composition described above. Then, the dried composition was aligned by irradiating the composition with UV rays (300 mW/cm ² ) for about 30 seconds while the TAC substrate layer was conveyed at a rate of about 3 m/min. Next, a liquid crystal layer is formed on the alignment-treated alignment layer. In the liquid crystal composition, a liquid crystal composition is applied to have a dry thickness of about 1 μm, and based on 100 parts by weight of the polyfunctional and monofunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound, the liquid crystal composition includes: 70 parts by weight a polyfunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula B; 30 parts by weight of one monofunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound represented by the following formula C; 3-propylamine as an amine compound, its content 0.5 parts by weight; and an appropriate amount of a photoinitiator, and the liquid crystal composition is aligned according to the alignment of the alignment layer disposed under the liquid crystal layer. Then, the liquid crystal is irradiated by using UV rays (300 mW/cm ² ) for about 10 seconds to form a liquid crystal layer including a liquid crystal compound which is horizontally aligned according to the alignment of the photoalignment film disposed under the liquid crystal layer. . A photograph showing the liquid crystal layer formed as described above is shown in Fig. 2 .

Example 2

The liquid crystal film is prepared by mixing 55 parts by weight of the polyfunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by Formula B and 45 parts by weight of the monofunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound represented by Formula C during the preparation of the liquid crystal composition. The same as in the first embodiment.

Example 3

A method and a method for preparing a liquid crystal film, except that 3-dimethylaminopropylamine is used as the amine compound in an amount of 0.7 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyfunctional and monofunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound Example 1 is the same.

Example 4

The liquid crystal film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that diethylamine was used as the amine compound in an amount of 1 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyfunctional and monofunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound.

Example 5

A liquid crystal film is used in addition to 3-(N-propylamino)propyltrimethoxydecane as the amine compound in an amount of 0.5 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyfunctional and monofunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound. The preparation method was the same as in Example 1.

Comparative example 1

The liquid crystal film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amine compound was not used during the preparation of the liquid crystal composition. A photograph of the prepared liquid crystal layer is shown in Fig. 3.

Test Example 1: Tolerance test of liquid crystal layer

The tolerance of the liquid crystal layer was estimated by measuring the deviation of the phase difference, which was generated after the tolerance test of the liquid crystal layer prepared by the examples and the comparative examples. Specifically, a liquid crystal film was cut into small pieces of 10 cm × 10 cm (width × length) to prepare a test sample. The test sample was then held in a heat resistant environment at 80 ° C for 100 hours or 250 hours. Then, the decrease value (in %) of the phase difference of the liquid crystal layer before and after maintaining it in a heat-resistant environment at 80 ° C was calculated, and was estimated in accordance with the following calculation principle. As a result, the phase difference is based on the manufacturer's manual using Axoscan (available from Axomatrix) at 550 nm. Make measurements. The results of the tolerance evaluation are as follows: when the phase difference of the liquid crystal layer is less than 8% after being kept in a heat-resistant environment for 100 hours and 250 hours, it is marked as "O"; and when maintained in a heat-resistant environment After the next 100 hours and 250 hours, when the deviation of the phase difference of any of the liquid crystal layers is 8% or more, it is indicated as "X". The above estimation results are summarized in Table 1 below.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal composition can be uniformly aligned without problems such as dehumidification in the alignment operation of the liquid crystal in the horizontal alignment. Further, the state of the aligned liquid crystal compound can be stably maintained.

100‧‧‧ liquid crystal film

101‧‧‧Liquid layer

102‧‧‧Substrate layer

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic view showing a liquid crystal film according to an example of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a photographic view of a liquid crystal layer prepared in Example 1.

Fig. 3 shows a photographic view of a liquid crystal layer prepared in Comparative Example 1.

100‧‧‧ liquid crystal film

101‧‧‧Liquid layer

102‧‧‧Substrate layer

Claims (15)

A liquid crystal composition comprising: a horizontally aligned liquid crystal compound; and an amine compound represented by the following formula 3: Wherein R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ are each independently hydrogen, a monovalent hydrocarbon, -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )(R ₁₉ ), -L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _{3-n or-} L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )-L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n , or a single bond or a linking unit represented by the following formula 4, wherein R ₁₈ and R ₁₉ are Each of them is independently hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon, n is an integer between 0 and 2, and each of L ₁ to L ₃ is independently a single bond or a linking unit of formula 4, with the proviso that When both L ₁ and L ₂ represent a single bond, R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ are not hydrogen at the same time, and Wherein, L _a and L _e are each independently a single bond, an alkenyl group or an alkylidene group, L _c is an alkenyl group or an alkylidene group, and the L _b and L _d systems are each independently a single one. A bond, -O-, -C(=O)-, -NH-, -CH=CH-, CONH-, a cycloalkenyl group or an extended aryl group. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the horizontally aligned liquid crystal compound comprises: a polyfunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound and a monofunctional polymeric liquid crystal compound. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 2, wherein the content of the monofunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound is more than 0 parts by weight and not more than 100 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the polyfunctional polymerizable liquid crystal compound. . The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, which satisfies the requirements of the following formula 1: [Formula 1] X < 8%, wherein the X phase represents the initial phase difference of the liquid crystal layer. The absolute value percentage (%) of a variable of a phase difference value of one of the liquid crystal layers maintained at 80 ° C for 100 hours, wherein the liquid crystal layer is formed of the liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the horizontally aligned liquid crystal compound is represented by the following formula 1: Wherein A is a single bond, -COO- or -OCO-, and R ₁ to R ₁₀ are each independently hydrogen, monohalogen, monoalkyl, monoalkoxy, monoalkoxycarbonyl, monocyano, and a nitro group, -OQP or a substituent of the following formula 2, or a pair of two adjacent substituents of R ₁ to R ₅ or a pair of two adjacent substituents of R ₆ to R ₁₀ together form an OQP substituted a benzene ring; with the proviso that at least one of the substituents R ₁ to R ₁₀ is -OQP or a substituent of the following formula 2, or two adjacent substituents of the pair of R ₁ to R ₅ and the pair of R ₆ At least one of two adjacent substituents to R ₁₀ together form an -OQP substituted benzene ring wherein Q is a monoalkyl or monoalkylidene group, and P is an alkenyl group, an epoxy group, a cyano group , a carboxy group, a propylene fluorenyl group, a methacryl fluorenyl group, a propylene oxy group or a methacryloxy group: Wherein B is a single bond, -COO- or -OCO-, and R ₁₁ to R ₁₅ are each independently hydrogen, monohalogen, monoalkyl, monoalkoxy, monoalkoxycarbonyl, monocyano, Mononitro- or -OQP, or a pair of two substituents of R ₁ to R ₅ or a pair of substituents of R ₆ to R ₁₀ together form an -OQP-substituted benzene ring; the condition is: the substituent R At least one of ₁₁ to R ₁₅ is -OQP, or two adjacent substituents of R ₁₁ to R ₁₅ together form an -OQP-substituted benzene ring, wherein Q is an alkylene group or an alkylidene group, and P is one Alkenyl, mono-epoxy, monocyano, mono-, acryl-yl, monomethacryl, propyleneoxy or monomethacryloxy. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the amine compound is a compound, and in the formula 3 of the compound, each of L ₁ and L ₂ is a single bond, and R ₁₆ is hydrogen, R ₁₇ Is an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )(R ₁₉ ), and L ₃ is an alkylene or alkylidene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. And R ₁₈ and R ₁₉ are each independently hydrogen, a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the amine compound is a compound, and in the formula 3 of the compound, each of L ₁ and L ₂ is a single bond, and the R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ are each independently Is an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )(R ₁₉ ), L ₃ is an alkylene group or an alkylidene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, R ₁₈ and R ₁₉ is each independently hydrogen, a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the amine compound is a compound, and in the formula 3 of the compound, each of L ₁ and L ₂ is a single bond, and R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ are common. forming a coupling unit of formula 4, and the coupling unit of formula 4, each of L _a, L _d and L _e is a single bond lines, L _b is a single bond lines, -O -, - C (= O -, -NH- or -CONH-, and L _c are an alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the amine compound is a compound, and in the formula 3 of the compound, each of R ₁₆ and R ₁₇ is -L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n or -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )-L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n , and the L ₁ and L ₂ systems are each independently a single bond or a formula 4 coupling means, wherein the coupling unit of the formula 4, each of L _a, L _b, L _d and L _e is a single bond lines, and lines L _c is an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, The proviso is that L ₃ is an alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R ₁₈ and R ₁₉ are each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the amine compound is a compound, and in the formula 3 of the compound, R ₁₆ is an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, each L ₁ and L ₂ is a single bond, and R ₁₇ is -L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n (OR ₁₉ ) _3-n or -L ₃ -N(R ₁₈ )-L ₃ -Si(R ₁₈ ) _n ( OR ₁₉ ) _3-n , wherein L ₃ is an alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R ₁₈ and R ₁₉ are each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms. The liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, further comprising a photopolymerization initiator. A liquid crystal film comprising a liquid crystal layer comprising the liquid crystal composition as described in claim 1 of the patent application. The liquid crystal film of claim 12, further comprising a substrate layer, wherein the liquid crystal layer is formed on a surface of the substrate layer. The liquid crystal film according to claim 13, wherein the substrate layer is an optically uniform substrate layer, an optically anisotropic substrate layer or a polarizing element. A display comprising the liquid crystal film of claim 12 of the patent application.