Author(s)

Yuanyuan Guo^1,2, Yong Deng^2,3, Biao Tang^1*, Alex Henzen¹, Guofu Zhou^1,2,3

¹Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology & Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
²Shenzhen Guohua Optoelectronics Tech. Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China.
³Academy of Shenzhen Guohua Optoelectronics, Shenzhen, China.

The switchable oil layer driven by electrowetting gives visible color and light valve control, which is the basis of Electro-Fluidic Displays. The colored oil’s property is a key factor that influences the Electro-Fluidic Displays switching behavior. A purple oil was formulated by the oil-soluble purple dye in decane in this study. The dye molecule itself is nonpolar and it doesn’t dissolve in water. The concentration of colored oil influenced the oil/water interfacial tension and oil viscosity. The relationship of EFD switching behavior with oil/water interfacial tension, oil viscosity, and oil conductivity has been systematically investigated. The oil/water interfacial tension decreased with increasing oil concentration, in the meanwhile, the conductivity increased. Oil conductivity was one of the key factors that influenced the Electro-Fluidic Displays optical property. We found for the first time that at the lower oil concentration (2% - 10%), the interfacial tension plays a main role effect on the rupture voltage and response time, but as the conductivity of higher concentration of colored oil increased (at 20%), the rupture voltage-controlled both by conductivity and interfacial tension.

Electro Fluid Display Device, Oil/Water Interfacial Tension/Viscosity/Conductivity, Rupture Voltage, Opening Ratio

Guo, Y. , Deng, Y. , Tang, B. , Henzen, A. and Zhou, G. (2020) The Colored Oil Property Effect on Switching Behavior of Electro-Fluidic Display. Materials Sciences and Applications, 11, 167-176. doi: 10.4236/msa.2020.112010.