# US 2020/0032058 A1 · Methods of forming polymeric polarizers from lyotropic liquid crystals and polymeric polarizers formed thereby

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- Number: US 2020/0032058 A1
- Document ID: US20200032058A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/519,423
- Filed: 2019-07-23
- Published: 2020-01-30
- Earliest claimed: 2018-07-24
- Assignees: Light Polymers Holding
- Applicants: Light Polymers Holding
- Inventors: Valeriy Kuzmin; Evgeny Morozov
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200032058A1

## CPC

- C08G 69/32: from aromatic diamines and aromatic dicarboxylic acids with both amino and carboxylic groups aromatically bound
- C08L 77/10: Polyamides derived from aromatically bound amino and carboxyl groups of amino-carboxylic acids or of polyamines and polycarboxylic acids
- C08G 69/42: Polyamides containing atoms other than carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (C08G69/12, C08G69/32 take precedence)
- C09D 177/10: Polyamides derived from aromatically bound amino and carboxyl groups of amino carboxylic acids or of polyamines and polycarboxylic acids
- G02B 5/3016: {involving passive liquid crystal elements (optical properties of liquid crystals G02F1/0063; polarising elements associated with active liquid crystal devices G02F1/133528)}
- G02B 5/3083: {Birefringent or phase retarding elements (G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001)}
- G02F 1/133528: {Polarisers}
- G02F 1/13363: Birefringent elements, e.g. for optical compensation
- B05D 5/06: to obtain multicolour or other optical effects (B05D5/02 takes precedence)
- B32B 2457/20: Displays, e.g. liquid crystal displays, plasma displays
- B32B 2457/206: Organic displays, e.g. OLED
- B32B 2457/208: Touch screens
- C08L 2203/20: use in electrical or conductive gadgets
- C09K 2323/00: Functional layers of liquid crystal optical display excluding electroactive liquid crystal layer characterised by chemical composition
- C09K 2323/03: Viewing layer characterised by chemical composition
- C09K 2323/031: Polarizer or dye
- G02B 5/30: Polarising elements (light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00)
- G02B 5/3025: {Polarisers, i.e. arrangements capable of producing a definite output polarisation state from an unpolarised input state (G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence)}
- C08G: MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)
- C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE

## Abstract

A polymeric lyotropic liquid crystal solution comprises a birefringent aromatic polymer. A linear polarizer layer is obtained by shear-coating the polymeric lyotropic liquid crystal solution on a coatable substrate, and treating the resulting coating layer with a doping-passivation solution containing iodine and multi-valent cations. A linear polarizer includes a birefringent coating layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness, and contains birefringent aromatic polymer, iodine anions, and multi-valent cations. An optical article includes an optical retarder layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness and a linear polarizer layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness, with an intermediate layer between the linear polarizer layer and the optical retarder layer. The optical retarder layer contains a first birefringent aromatic polymer generally aligned along a first alignment direction and the linear polarizer layer contains a second birefringent aromatic polymer generally aligned along a second alignment direction, with an angle between the first alignment direction and the second alignment direction in a range of 40° to 50°.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of forming a linear polarizer, comprising the steps of:
shear-coating a polymeric lyotropic liquid crystal solution comprising a birefringent aromatic polymer on a substrate to form a polymeric birefringent coating layer, the polymeric birefringent coating layer being 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness; and
treating the polymeric birefringent coating layer with a doping-passivation solution comprising iodine anions and multi-valent cations to form a linear polarizer layer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of:
removing excess doping-passivation solution from the linear polarizer layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the step of removing excess doping-passivation solution comprises treating the linear polarizer layer with a rinse solution.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the rinse solution comprises ethanol.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the doping-passivation solution additionally comprises cations selected from the group consisting of: K+, NH4+, Li+, Na+, and Cs+.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the multi-valent cations are selected from the group consisting of: Ba2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, Al3+, La3+, Ce3+, Fe3+, Cr3+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Sn2+.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the birefringent aromatic polymer is of a structure:
or a salt thereof,
wherein n is an integer in a range from 25 to 10,000, or the birefringent aromatic polymer is of a structure:
or a salt thereof,
wherein n is an integer in a range from 20 to 20,000.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the polymeric lyotropic liquid crystal solution comprises water;
the birefringent aromatic polymer is a sodium salt of a structure:
wherein n is an integer in a range from 25 to 10,000;
the multi-valent cations are selected from Sr2+ and Al3+; and
the doping-passivation solution additionally comprises K+ cations.

### Claim 9

A linear polarizer, comprising:
a polymeric birefringent coating layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness, comprising a birefringent aromatic polymer, iodine anions, and multi-valent cations.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The linear polarizer of claim 9, wherein the multi-valent cations are selected from the group consisting of: Ba2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, Al3+, La3+, Ce3+, Fe3+, Cr3+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Sn2+.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The linear polarizer of claim 9, wherein the birefringent aromatic polymer is of a structure:
or a salt thereof,
wherein n is an integer in a range from 25 to 10,000, or the birefringent aromatic polymer is of a structure:
or a salt thereof,
wherein n is an integer in a range from 20 to 20,000.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The linear polarizer of claim 9, wherein the birefringent aromatic polymer comprises a group (SO3−).

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The linear polarizer of claim 9, wherein the polymeric birefringent coating layer has a total transmittance, averaged over 400 nm to 700 nm, of 37% or greater, and a polarization efficiency, averaged over 400 nm to 700 nm, of 96% or greater.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The linear polarizer of claim 9, wherein:
the birefringent aromatic polymer is a sodium salt of a structure:
wherein n is an integer in a range from 25 to 10,000; and
the multi-valent cations are selected from Al3+ and Sr2+.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

A circular polarizer comprising the linear polarizer of claim 9 and a quarter-wave retarder.

### Claim 16

An optical article, comprising:
an optical retarder layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness, comprising a first birefringent aromatic polymer, the first birefringent aromatic polymer being generally aligned along a first alignment direction; and
a linear polarizer layer of 1.0 micrometers or less in thickness, comprising a second birefringent aromatic polymer, iodine anions, and multi-valent cations, the second birefringent aromatic polymer being generally aligned along a second alignment direction;
an intermediate layer between the linear polarizer layer and the optical retarder layer to limit ion diffusion between the linear polarizer layer and the optical retarder layer;
wherein an angle between the first alignment direction and the second alignment direction is in a range of 40° to 50°.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The optical article of claim 16, wherein the optical retarder layer has an in-plane retardation in a range of 110 nm to 175 nm at a wavelength of 550 nm.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The optical article of claim 16, wherein the intermediate layer comprises an adhesive.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The optical article of claim 16, additionally comprising a touch sensor layer, the optical retarder layer being positioned between the touch sensor layer and the linear polarizer layer.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The optical article of claim 16, additionally comprising an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel, the optical retarder layer being positioned between the OLED panel and the linear polarizer layer.