Effect of silver metavanadate on the performance of PDLC films

Abstract

Abstract This study systematically investigates the synergistic effects of silver metavanadate (AgVO 3 ) nanowires on the photopolymerization kinetics and electro-optical performance of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films. AgVO 3 nanowires were synthesized via hydrothermal methods and incorporated into PDLC composites alongside the conventional photoinitiator Irgacure 651. Six formulations (0–0.55 wt% AgVO 3 ) were characterized for microstructural evolution and electro-optical responses. Results demonstrate that AgVO 3 ’s narrow bandgap (2.3 eV) enables visible-light-activated photocatalysis, complementing Irgacure 651’s UV-initiated polymerization through three mechanisms: 1) Broad-spectrum photon harvesting (250–550 nm), 2) Radical multiplication from hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and initiator-derived species, and 3) Redox-mediated chain propagation. At loadings ≤0.4 wt%, accelerated polymerization kinetics optimized phase separation dynamics, yielding uniform submicron liquid crystal domains (diameters <200 nm) with enhanced interfacial anchoring. This improved contrast ratio by 5% (CR = 188) while reducing saturation voltage to 20.4 V. Excessive loading (>0.4 wt%) induced premature gelation through uncontrolled polymerization, creating suboptimal microdomains (<100 nm) that increased charge trapping density, elevating driving voltage by 175% (40 V μm −1 ). The dual-threshold behavior highlights a critical balance between photocatalytic acceleration and phase separation dynamics. This work establishes AgVO 3 -Irgacure 651 hybrids as an energy-efficient paradigm for PDLC manufacturing, enabling spectral-tunable curing processes compatible with industrial ‘lights-out’ automation. The findings provide fundamental insights into nanofiller-mediated photopolymerization control for next-generation smart windows with enhanced optical modulation and antimicrobial potential.