Phase separation kinetics of polymer dispersed liquid crystals confined between two parallel walls

The phase separation kinetics of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) confined between two parallel, smooth walls are numerically studied for the first time. Only the two-dimensional (2D) system is considered for simplicity. The time evolutions of two order parameters (i.e., composition order parameter and orientational order parameter) are calculated by solving coupled time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau (TDGL) model C equations. The wall surface effect is weaker when the thermal quench is deeper. The ordering of LC is found to be accelerated as the external confinement is enhanced (i.e., reduced separation distance between two walls). The results presented in the study will provide insights into the experiments on the control of LC domain morphologies in the mixture of polymer/LC under nanoscopic confinement.