Fabrication and evaluation of dual function PMMA/nano-carbon composite particles for UV curable anti-glare coating

• Dual function composite particles were prepared by encapsulating nano-carbon with swelling PMMA.
• Anti-glare coating was obtained by embedding dual function composite particles.
• The light scattering mechanism of anti-glare coating was investigated.

A kind of light absorption and scattering polymer particles were prepared by encapsulating nano-carbon with swelling PMMA particles. UV curable anti-glare coating containing the dual function PMMA/nano-carbon composite particles had both excellent properties of anti-glare and a certain degree of light absorption, which could effectively improve the glare problem in liquid crystal display (LCD) screens. The light scattering mechanism of the composite particles in anti-glare coating was discussed, and the effect of the ratio of nano-carbon in PMMA swelling particles on the optical properties of coating was also studied. Characterizations by SEM, EDS, XRD, optical microscopy and UV–vis spectroscopy indicates that the surface roughness of light scattering particles and anti-glare coating increased with the increase of nano-carbon encapsulated in PMMA particles. The consequence of increasing nano-carbon encapsulated in PMMA particles and adsorption on the surface of PMMA particles is the decrease of light transmittance and the increase of haze and gloss.

Light scattering mechanism schematics for conventional anti-glare hard coating layer (a) and anti-glare hard coating layer containing light absorbing particles (b).Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide