Inquiries

Anti-reflection for automotive displays. Film Manufacturer K Corporation, Research and Development Department

Zirconia nanoparticle dispersions for high-transparency anti-reflective automotive displays

High Refractive Index and Transparency for Greater Design Flexibility in Anti-Reflective Layers

Electronics
Surface Modification Durability/stability

Resercher S (hereafter ”S”) from film manufacturer K is in charge of developing optical films. He is currently working on a new product development to enhance the anti-reflective performance of films for automotive displays.

Challenges

Key Challenges

  • In the film for vehicle displays, S wants to enhance the anti-reflective effect without compromising transparency.

  • He wants to optimize the refractive index of the anti-reflective layer to be suitable for automotive displays.

  • He wants to design an anti-reflective layer that can withstand the strict reliability tests required for automotive applications, such as heat resistance, light resistance, and humidity resistance.

The anti-reflective layer (AR layer) is an optical functional layer that suppresses the reflection of external light while efficiently transmitting the display light from within.

The multilayer structure of vehicle-mounted displays and the role of each layer.

Optimize the roles of each layer to achieve a high-quality display.

The AR layer is a composite layer that uses UV-curable resin as a matrix, in which high refractive index nanoparticles are dispersed. Therefore, the performance of the AR layer greatly depends not only on design values such as the overall refractive index and film thickness but also on whether the nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed within the resin and whether the interface between the particles and the resin is stable.

The design range of the refractive index and transparency of AR layers is greatly influenced by the properties of the nanoparticle materials employed. Therefore, S decided to start with the exploration of nanoparticles. While searching on a web page, he found a product called ZIRCOSTAR™ as a high refractive index material.

Interested in the potential of the material, S inquired with Nippon Shokubai.,

Nanoparticle materials suitable for problem-solving.

  • Solvent dispersion type ZIRCOSTAR™ ZP-153

  • Monomer dispersion type (solvent-free) ZIRCOSTAR™ HR-101

Solutions

Solution Summary

  • As high refractive index microparticles, solvent-based and solvent-free types can be selected according to the application.

  • The nanoparticle dispersion stabilization technology suppresses particle aggregation during the UV curing process, ensuring the necessary transparency for the AR layer.

  • Stabilization of the particle/resin interface by UV-curable functional groups, with consideration for structural stability after curing.

Immediately, S had a meeting with Nippon Shokubai and heard an overview about ZIRCOSTAR from the sales representative.

He was informed that ZIRCOSTAR has multiple lineups and can be used differently depending on the formulation conditions. It is characterized by the ability to uniformly disperse high refractive index zirconia nanoparticles, making it easier to ensure the necessary transparency for AR layers.

Furthermore, by meticulously introducing UV polymerizable functional groups onto the surface of each particle, the design facilitates easy integration with the resin matrix after curing. This allows for optical layer designs that take into account structural stability and reliability, which are emphasized in automotive applications concerning heat, light, and moisture resistance.

Seeing the potential during the explanation, S decided to begin evaluating the anti-reflective layer using ZIRCOSTAR.

Explore the Solution