JP5604151B2 - Dichroic dye composition, light absorption anisotropic film, polarizer, method for producing the same, and display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dichroic dye composition useful for producing a light absorption anisotropic film and the like, a light absorption anisotropic film using the composition, a polarizer, a production method thereof, and a display device.

When a function to attenuate the irradiation light including laser light and natural light, a polarization function, a scattering function, a light shielding function, etc. are required, conventionally, a device that operates according to a different principle for each function has been applied. . Therefore, products corresponding to these functions are also manufactured by different manufacturing processes for each function.
For example, LCDs (liquid crystal elements) use linearly polarizing plates and circularly polarizing plates to control optical rotation and birefringence in display. A circularly polarizing plate is also used in OLED (organic electroluminescence element) to prevent reflection of external light. Conventionally, iodine has been widely used as a dichroic material in these polarizing plates (polarizers). However, since iodine has a high sublimation property, when used in a polarizer, its heat resistance and light resistance are not sufficient. In addition, the extinction color is deep blue, which is not an ideal achromatic polarizer over the entire visible spectrum region.

  Therefore, a polarizer using an organic dye as a dichroic material has been studied. However, these organic dyes have a problem that only a polarizer having a dichroism considerably inferior to iodine can be obtained. In particular, polarizers are an important component in LCDs that use optical rotation and birefringence as the display principle. In recent years, new polarizers have been developed for the purpose of improving display performance and the like. . Further, as an example of a polarizer using an organic dye as a dichroic substance, there is a polarizer using a guest-host type liquid crystal composition including a host liquid crystal material and a guest dichroic dye. The guest host type also has a problem that the dichroic ratio is low.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose a polarizer formed by utilizing its own alignment force of a liquid crystalline dichroic dye. However, these patent documents do not disclose the use of squarylium dye.

  On the other hand, in recent years, application development of new polarizing elements has been promoted for the purpose of improving display performance and the like. Patent Document 3 proposes that a polarization layer (a so-called in-cell polarization layer) is provided between the color filter layer and the liquid crystal material layer to suppress depolarization of the color filter. However, the polarizing layer disposed in the liquid crystal cell needs to achieve a desired degree of polarization with a thinner film thickness, and the dichroic dye used achieves higher dichroism and even blackness. Long wavelength absorption characteristics are required.

  As for squarylium dyes, for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4 propose compounds having various structures as examples of dyes for recording materials and photosensitive materials and as examples of dyes for optical filters. No squarylium dye having both the orientation and orientation has been conventionally provided.

JP 11-305036 A JP 2005-189393 A JP 2000-265077 A JP 2009-40860 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the background art described above, and is a novel dichroic dye composition having high dichroism useful for the production of various optical films such as polarizing films, and a light absorption property utilizing the same. It is an object to provide an anisotropic film, a polarizer, and a display device having the light absorption anisotropic film.

Means for solving the above problems are as follows.
<1> Contains at least one dichroic squarylium dye represented by the following general formula (1), the proportion of the liquid crystalline non-coloring low molecular weight compound is 30% by mass or less, and thermotropic liquid crystallinity Dichroic dye composition characterized by having:
In the formula, A ¹ and A ² each independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon ring group or heterocyclic group.

<2> The dichroic dye composition according to <1>, wherein the dichroic squarylium dye has at least one maximum absorption in a wavelength region of 550 to 800 nm.
<3> The dichroic dye composition according to <1> or <2>, wherein the dichroic squarylium dye has a molecular width of 9 mm or less.
<4> The dichroic dye composition according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein an aspect ratio of the dichroic squarylium dye is 2.3 or more.

<5> At least one dichroic azo dye having nematic liquid crystal properties represented by the following general formula (I), the following general formula (II), the following general formula (III), or the following general formula (IV) is further added. The dichroic dye composition according to any one of <1> to <4>.
(Wherein R ^{11 to} R ¹⁴ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a substituent; L ^11, -N = N -, - CH = N -, - N = CH -, - C (= O) O -, - OC (= O) -, or represents -CH = CH-; a ¹¹ Represents a phenyl group which may have a substituent, a naphthyl group which may have a substituent, or an aromatic heterocyclic group which may have a substituent; B ¹¹ represents a substituent; Represents a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or divalent aromatic heterocyclic group which may be present; n represents an integer of 1 to 5, and when n is 2 or more, a plurality of B ¹¹ are the same as each other But it may be different.)

(In the formula, each of R ²¹ and R ²² represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a substituent represented by -L ²² -Y, provided that at least one represents a group other than a hydrogen atom. ; L ²² is an alkylene group, each of two or more CH ₂ groups that are not one CH ₂ group or adjacent existing in the alkylene group -O -, - COO -, - OCO -, - OCOO—, —NRCOO—, —OCONR—, —CO—, —S—, —SO ₂ —, —NR—, —NRSO ₂ —, or —SO ₂ NR— (R represents a hydrogen atom or a carbon number of 1-4. Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, a halogen atom, or a polymerizable group; and L ²¹ represents an azo group (—N═), respectively. N-), carbonyloxy group (-C (= O) O-) Represents a linking group selected from the group consisting of an oxycarbonyl group (—O—C (═O) —), an imino group (—N═CH—), and a vinylene group (—C═C—); Represents an azo dye residue represented by the following general formula (IIa);

In formula (IIa), * represents a bond to L ²¹ ; X ²¹ represents a hydroxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, an unsubstituted amino group, or a mono- or dialkylamino group Ar ²¹ represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring group or an aromatic heterocyclic group each optionally having a substituent; n represents an integer of 1 to 3, and when n is 2 or more, Two Ar ²¹ may be the same as or different from each other. )

(Wherein R ^{31 to} R ³⁵ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R ³⁶ and R ³⁷ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a substituent; Q ³¹ Represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, aromatic heterocyclic group or cyclohexane ring group; L ³¹ represents a divalent linking group; A ³¹ represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom. )

(In the formula, each of R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and may be bonded to each other to form a ring; Ar ⁴ is an optionally substituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon; A group or an aromatic heterocyclic group; R ⁴³ and R ⁴⁴ each represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, and may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring.)

<6> A light absorption anisotropic film comprising the dichroic dye composition according to any one of <1> to <5>.
<7> A polarizer having a substrate and the light absorption anisotropic film <6> on the substrate.
<8> The polarizer according to <7>, comprising an alignment film between the substrate and the light absorption anisotropic film.
<9> A display device comprising the light absorption anisotropic film according to <6> or the polarizer according to <7> or <8>.
<10> At least the following [1] to [3]:
[1] Step of rubbing or irradiating the substrate directly or the alignment film formed on the substrate [2] Two colors of any one of <1> to <5> on the substrate or the alignment film The method for producing a polarizer according to <7> or <8>, comprising: a step [3] of applying a functional dye composition; and a step of aligning the coating film of the dichroic dye composition by drying to form a polarizer. .

  According to the present invention, a novel dichroic dye composition having high dichroism useful for the production of various optical films such as polarizing films, a light absorption anisotropic film and a polarizer using the same, and the light A display device having an absorption anisotropic film can be provided.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. In the present specification, “to” is used to mean that the numerical values described before and after it are included as a lower limit value and an upper limit value.
1. Dichroic Dye Composition Rigid linear structures of azo dyes are preferred as dichroic dyes because they are often oriented and exhibit a high dichroic ratio, and have been widely used in the past. However, since the dichroic azo dye generally exhibits a yellow to magenta color tone, sufficient absorption has not been obtained in the long wavelength region. The wavelength of absorption of the azo dye can be increased by introducing a substituent or a heterocyclic ring. In this case, however, it becomes difficult to obtain a linear structure, and a high dichroic ratio cannot be obtained. Anthraquinone dyes are known as dichroic dyes that absorb in the long wavelength region, but this also has an insufficient dichroic ratio. That is, dichroic dyes that have both a high dichroic ratio and absorption in the long wavelength region have been limited.
As a result of intensive studies, the inventors have found that this problem can be solved by using a squarylium dye of the following general formula (1).

  The present invention relates to a dichroic dye composition containing at least one dichroic squarylium dye represented by the following general formula (1).

In the formula, A ¹ and A ² each independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon ring group or heterocyclic group.

  Since the squarylium dye represented by the general formula (1) is an intramolecular charge transfer dye of donor (D) -acceptor (A) -donor (D), it has a longer wavelength and is maximized in a wavelength region of 550 to 800 nm. Shows absorption. The wavelength of maximum absorption is preferably 600 to 800 nm, more preferably 650 to 800 nm, and particularly preferably 650 to 750 nm. Since the direction of the transition moment of absorption is parallel to the molecular long axis, the compound represented by the general formula (1) can be suitably used as a dichroic dye exhibiting a cyan color tone. Here, the molecular long axis refers to an axis connecting two atoms having the maximum interatomic distance in the compound.

The dichroic dye represented by the general formula (1) preferably has a rigid linear structure. Specifically, the molecular length is preferably 17 cm or more, more preferably 19 cm or more, and further preferably 21 cm or more. The molecular width is preferably 9 mm or less, more preferably 8.5 mm or less. The aspect ratio is preferably 2.3 or more, more preferably 2.5 or more, and particularly preferably 2.6 or more. By setting the molecular aspect ratio within the above range, a favorable uniaxial orientation can be achieved, and a light absorption anisotropic film and a polarizer having a high dichroic ratio and a high polarization performance can be obtained.
Here, the molecular length is a value obtained by adding the van der Waals radii of two atoms at both ends to the maximum interatomic distance in the compound. The aspect ratio is the molecular length / molecular width. The molecular width is the maximum interatomic distance when each atom is projected onto a plane perpendicular to the molecular long axis plus the van der Waals radii of two atoms at both ends. Value.

In the dichroic dye composition of the present invention, the proportion of the liquid crystalline non-coloring low molecular weight compound is 30% by mass or less, preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 10% by mass or less, More preferably, it is 5 mass% or less. That is, in the dichroic dye composition of the present invention, the dichroic dye molecules are oriented by their own orientation ability or in combination with other dyes, and the state is fixed, so that a polarizing film or the like can be obtained. It preferably functions as a light absorption anisotropic film. For example, using a composition containing a non-colorable liquid crystal compound as a main component together with a dichroic dye, the molecules of the dichroic dye are aligned along the alignment of the molecules of the liquid crystal compound. Although it can also be prepared as a so-called guest-host (GH) type composition that achieves a color ratio, the above-described embodiment can achieve a higher dichroic ratio than the GH embodiment, which is preferable. The dichroic dye composition of the present invention can obtain a high dye concentration when the proportion of the liquid crystalline non-coloring low molecular weight compound is low or not contained at all, and the light absorption anisotropic film is made thin. can do.
Here, the non-coloring liquid crystal compound refers to a compound that does not absorb in the visible light spectral region, that is, the spectral region of 400 to 700 nm and exhibits a nematic liquid crystal phase or a smectic liquid crystal phase. Examples of the liquid crystal compounds described in pages 154 to 192 and pages 715 to 722 of “Handbook” (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science 142nd edition, Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, 1989).

  Hereinafter, the dichroic squarylium dye represented by the general formula (1) will be described in detail.

In the general formula (1), A ¹ and A ² each independently represents a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon ring group or heterocyclic group.

The hydrocarbon ring group is preferably a 5- to 20-membered monocyclic or condensed ring group. The hydrocarbon ring group may be an aromatic ring or a non-aromatic ring. The carbon atom constituting the hydrocarbon ring may be substituted with an atom other than a hydrogen atom. For example, one or more carbon atoms constituting the hydrocarbon ring may be C═O, C═S, or C═NR (R is a hydrogen atom or a C _1-10 alkyl group). One or more carbon atoms constituting the hydrocarbon ring may have a substituent, and specific examples of the substituent can be selected from a substituent group G described later. Examples of the hydrocarbon ring group include the following groups, but are not limited thereto.

In the above formula, * represents a site bonded to the squarylium skeleton, and R ^{a to} R ^g each represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and if possible, may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure. The substituent can be selected from the substituent group G described later.
In particular, the following examples are preferable.
In Formula A-1, R ^c is —N (R ^c1 ) (R ^c2 ), R ^c1 and R ^c2 each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R ^b and R ^d are hydrogen atoms, that is, a group represented by the following formula A-1a.
In formula A-2, ^Re is a hydroxy group, that is, a group represented by the following formula A-2a.
In formula A-3, R ^e is a hydroxy group, R ^c and R ^d are hydrogen atoms, that is, a group represented by the following formula A-3a.
In Formula A-4, R ^g is a hydroxy group, and R ^a , R ^b , ^Re and R ^f are hydrogen atoms, that is, a group represented by the following Formula A-4a.
In Formula A-5, R ^g is a hydroxy group, that is, a group represented by Formula A-5a below.

In the above formula A-1a, R ^c1 and R ^c2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; It is synonymous with each in -A-5. Examples of the substituent of the alkyl group include the substituent group G described later, and the preferred range is also the same. When R ^c1 and R ^c2 are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups, they may be linked to each other to form a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group. Further, at least one of R ^c1 and R ^c2 may be bonded to a carbon atom of the benzene ring in formula A-1a to form a condensed ring. For example, the following formulas A-1b and A-1c may be used.

Wherein * represents a site that binds to a squarylium skeleton, R ^h represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Examples of the substituent include the substituent group G described later. R ^h is preferably a substituent containing one or more benzene rings.

The heterocyclic group is preferably a 5- to 20-membered monocyclic or condensed ring group. The heterocyclic group has at least one of a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, and an oxygen atom as a ring constituent atom. Further, one or more carbon atoms may be contained as a ring-constituting atom, and the hetero atom or carbon atom constituting the heterocyclic ring may be substituted with an atom other than a hydrogen atom. For example, the one or more sulfur atoms constituting the heterocyclic ring may be, for example, S═O or S (O) ₂ , and the one or more carbon atoms constituting the heterocyclic ring may be C═ O, C = S or C = NR (R is a hydrogen atom or a C _1-10 alkyl group) may be used. The heterocyclic group may be an aromatic ring or a non-aromatic ring. One or more heteroatoms and / or carbon atoms constituting the heterocyclic group may have a substituent, and specific examples of the substituent can be selected from the substituent group G described later. . Examples of the heterocyclic group include the following groups, but are not limited thereto.

In the above formula, * represents a site bonded to the squarylium skeleton, and R ^{a to} R ^f each represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and if possible, may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure. The substituent can be selected from the substituent group G described later.
In A-6 to A-43, Rc is preferably a hydroxy group (OH) or a hydrothioxy group (SH).

Preferred hydrocarbon ring groups are hydrocarbon ring groups represented by A-1, A-2, and A-4. More preferably, they are A-1a, A-2a, and A-4a. Particularly preferred are hydrocarbon ring groups represented by A-1 and A-2, and more preferred are A-1a and A-2a. More preferably, an A-1a, among others, is a hydrocarbon ring radical R ^a and R ^e is represented by A-1a represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group.

  Preferred heterocyclic groups are A-6, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-10, A-11, A-14, A-24, A-34, A-37 and A-39. The heterocycle shown. Particularly preferred are heterocyclic rings represented by A-6, A-7, A-8, A-9, A-11, A-14, A-34 and A-39. In these formulas, Rc is more preferably a hydroxy group (OH) or a hydrothioxy group (SH).

In the formula (1), it is particularly preferable that at least one of A ¹ and A ² is A-1 (more preferably A-1a).

The hydrocarbon ring group and the heterocyclic group may have one or more substituents, and examples of the substituent include the following substituent group G.
Substituent group G:
A substituted or unsubstituted linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms) (eg, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec -Butyl, t-butyl, cyclohexyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxycarbonylethyl, cyanoethyl, diethylaminoethyl, hydroxyethyl, chloroethyl, acetoxyethyl, trifluoromethyl, etc.); carbon number 7-18 (preferably carbon number 7-12) A substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group (eg, benzyl, carboxybenzyl, etc.); a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group (eg, vinyl, etc.) having 2 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms); 18 (preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms) substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl group (eg, ethynyl, etc.) A substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 6 to 10 carbon atoms) (eg, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-carboxyphenyl, 3,5-dicarboxyphenyl, etc.) );

C2-C18 (preferably C2-C8) substituted or unsubstituted acyl group (eg, acetyl, propionyl, butanoyl, chloroacetyl, etc.); C1-C18 (preferably C1-8) Substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or arylsulfonyl groups (eg, methanesulfonyl, p-toluenesulfonyl, etc.); alkylsulfinyl groups having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms) (eg, methanesulfinyl, ethanesulfinyl) , Octansulphinyl, etc.); C2-C18 (preferably C2-C8) alkoxycarbonyl groups (e.g., methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, etc.); C7-C18 (preferably C7-12) Aryloxycarbonyl groups (eg, phenoxycarbonyl, 4-methylphenoxycarbonyl, 4-methyl A substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms) (for example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-butoxy, methoxyethoxy etc.); 6 to 18 carbon atoms ( Preferably a C6-C10 substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group (eg, phenoxy, 4-methoxyphenoxy, etc.); a C1-C18 (preferably C1-C8) alkylthio group (eg, methylthio) , Ethylthio, etc.); arylthio groups having 6 to 10 carbon atoms (eg, phenylthio, etc.);

A substituted or unsubstituted acyloxy group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms) (eg, acetoxy, ethylcarbonyloxy, cyclohexylcarbonyloxy, benzoyloxy, chloroacetyloxy, etc.); Preferably a substituted or unsubstituted sulfonyloxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms (eg, methanesulfonyloxy etc.); a substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyloxy group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably having 2 to 8 carbon atoms) ( Example, methylcarbamoyloxy, diethylcarbamoyloxy, etc.); unsubstituted amino group or substituted amino group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms) (eg, methylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, anilino, methoxy) Phenylamino, chlorophenylamino, morpholino, piperidino, pyrrolidi , Pyridylamino, methoxycarbonylamino, n-butoxycarbonylamino, phenoxycarbonylamino, methylcarbamoylamino, phenylcarbamoylamino, ethylthiocarbamoylamino, methylsulfamoylamino, phenylsulfamoylamino, acetylamino, ethylcarbonylamino, ethyl Thiocarbonylamino, cyclohexylcarbonylamino, benzoylamino, chloroacetylamino, methanesulfonylamino, benzenesulfonylamino, etc.);

A substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms) (eg, unsubstituted carbamoyl, methylcarbamoyl, ethylcarbamoyl, n-butylcarbamoyl, t-butylcarbamoyl, dimethylcarbamoyl, morpholino) Carbamoyl, pyrrolidinocarbamoyl, etc.); unsubstituted sulfamoyl group, substituted sulfamoyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms) (eg, methylsulfamoyl, phenylsulfamoyl etc.); halogen atom ( Eg, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, etc.); hydroxyl group; nitro group; cyano group; carboxyl group; heterocyclic group (eg, oxazole, benzoxazole, thiazole, benzothiazole, imidazole, benzimidazole, indolenine, pyridine, sulfolane, furan) , Thiophene, Razoru, pyrrole, chroman, coumarin, etc.).

  Examples of the dichroic squarylium dye represented by the formula (1) include the following exemplary compounds, but are not limited thereto.

  The dichroic squarylium dye represented by the general formula (1) in the present invention is described in Journal of Chemical Society, Perkin Trans. 1 (2000), 599-603, Synthesis (2002), No. 3, 413-417, etc. It can be easily synthesized according to the method described.

  The dichroic dye composition of the present invention exhibits thermotropic liquid crystallinity, i.e., transitions to the liquid crystal phase by heat and exhibits liquid crystallinity. In one embodiment of the present invention, the dichroic squarylium dye represented by the general formula (1) exhibits thermotropic liquid crystallinity. In another embodiment, the dichroic squarylium dye represented by the general formula (1) alone does not exhibit thermotropic liquid crystal properties, but other dichroic dyes (preferably the general formula (I) described later). When mixed with (dichroic dyes represented by (IV)), the whole composition exhibits a thermotropic liquid crystallinity. Among them, it is preferable to exhibit nematic liquid crystal properties. There is no particular limitation on the transition temperature to be a liquid crystal phase, but in an embodiment in which a light absorption anisotropic film is prepared by aligning on a polymer film substrate, the liquid crystal is heated at 300 ° C. or lower in order to avoid deterioration of the polymer film. It is preferable to become a phase, for example, it is preferable to become a liquid crystal phase in a temperature range of 100 ° C to 250 ° C.

The dichroic squarylium dye represented by the general formula (1) may be used alone or in combination of two or more. You may use together the dichroic squarylium pigment | dye represented by the said General formula (1), and pigment | dyes other than these. Examples of these include azo dyes, cyanine dyes, azo metal complexes, phthalocyanine dyes, pyrylium dyes, thiopyrylium dyes, azurenium dyes, naphthoquinone dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, and triallylmethane dyes. Etc.
For example, examples of azo dyes that can be used in combination include azo dyes represented by the following formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV). When used in combination with the following formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV), the orientation of the squarylium dye of formula (1) is improved.

In the formula, R ^{11 to} R ¹⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a substituent; L ¹¹ is, -N = N -, - CH = N -, - N = CH -, - C (= O) O -, - OC (= O) -, or represents -CH = CH-; a ¹¹ is Represents a phenyl group which may have a substituent, a naphthyl group which may have a substituent, or an aromatic heterocyclic group which may have a substituent; B ¹¹ has a substituent; And represents a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group; n represents an integer of 1 to 5, and when n is 2 or more, a plurality of B ¹¹ may be the same as each other May be different.

Specific examples of the azo dye represented by the formula (I) are shown below, but are not limited to the following specific examples.

In the formula, each of R ²¹ and R ²² represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a substituent represented by -L ²² -Y, provided that at least one represents a group other than a hydrogen atom; L ²² is an alkylene group, each of two or more CH ₂ groups that are not one CH ₂ group or adjacent existing in the alkylene group -O -, - COO -, - OCO -, - OCOO —, —NRCOO—, —OCONR—, —CO—, —S—, —SO ₂ —, —NR—, —NRSO ₂ —, or —SO ₂ NR— (wherein R is a hydrogen atom or having 1 to 4 carbon atoms) Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, a halogen atom, or a polymerizable group; and L ²¹ represents an azo group (—N═N), respectively. -), A carbonyloxy group (-C (= O) O-), Represents a linking group selected from the group consisting of a xoxycarbonyl group (—O—C (═O) —), an imino group (—N═CH—), and a vinylene group (—C═C—); Represents an azo dye residue represented by the following general formula (IIa);

In formula (IIa), * represents a bond to L ²¹ ; X ²¹ represents a hydroxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, an unsubstituted amino group, or a mono- or dialkylamino group Ar ²¹ represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring group or an aromatic heterocyclic group each optionally having a substituent; n represents an integer of 1 to 3, and when n is 2 or more, Two Ar ²¹ may be the same as or different from each other.

  Specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (II) are shown below, but are not limited to the following compound examples.

Wherein the R ³¹ to R ³⁵ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R ³⁶ and R ³⁷ also may have each independently hydrogen or a substituent represents an alkyl group; Q ³¹ is Represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, aromatic heterocyclic group or cyclohexane ring group; L ³¹ represents a divalent linking group; A ³¹ represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.

Specific examples of the compound represented by the formula (III) are shown below, but are not limited to the following specific examples.

In the formula, each of R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and may be bonded to each other to form a ring; Ar ⁴ is an optionally substituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group Or an aromatic heterocyclic group; R ⁴³ and R ⁴⁴ each represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, and may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring.

  Specific examples of the compound represented by formula (IV) are shown below, but are not limited to the following specific examples.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular about the color tone of the dichroic dye composition of this invention, According to a use, it can prepare as a composition of a various color tone. For example, in an embodiment used for the production of a polarizer, it is preferable to mix two or more dyes so as to obtain a black composition. There is no restriction | limiting in particular about the ratio of the pigment | dye to mix, According to the color tone of a desired composition and the color tone of the pigment | dye to be used, it selects suitably.

  In the dichroic dye composition, the proportion of the dichroic squarylium dye represented by the general formula (1) in the total solid content excluding the solvent is preferably 5% by mass or more, and preferably 10% by mass or more. It is particularly preferred that The concentration of the total solid content of the dichroic dye composition is preferably 0.1 to 10% by mass, and particularly preferably 0.5 to 5% by mass.

  The dichroic dye composition contains a dichroic azo dye represented by the general formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV) in the total solid content excluding the solvent. The amount is preferably 20% by mass or more, particularly preferably 30% by mass or more. The upper limit is not particularly limited, but in an embodiment containing other additives such as the following surfactants, in order to obtain those effects, all solids except for the solvent contained in the dichroic dye composition are included. The content of the dichroic azo dye represented by one or more general formulas (I), (II), (III), or (IV) in the minute is preferably 95% by mass or less, It is more preferable that the amount is not more than mass%.

Non-liquid crystalline polyfunctional monomer having radical polymerizable group:
The dichroic dye composition used for forming the light absorption anisotropic film of the present invention preferably contains a non-liquid crystalline polyfunctional monomer having a radical polymerizable group.
In the present invention, the “non-liquid crystalline polyfunctional monomer having a radical polymerizable group” refers to a non-liquid crystalline monomer which is a polyfunctional monomer in which a growth active species undergoes a radical polymerization reaction. This polyfunctional monomer is preferably a polyfunctional monomer having two or more double bonds in the molecule, particularly preferably an ethylenic (aliphatic) unsaturated double bond, specifically, Multifunctional monomers having functional groups such as alkenes, dienes, acrylates, methacrylates, diesters of unsaturated polycarboxylic acids, amides of α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated nitriles, styrene and derivatives thereof, vinyl esters, vinyl ethers, etc. Can be mentioned. The number of double bonds in the molecule is preferably 2-20, more preferably 2-15, and even more preferably 2-6. The polyfunctional monomer is preferably an ester of a polyol having two or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule and an unsaturated fatty acid. Examples of unsaturated fatty acids include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid and itaconic acid, with acrylic acid and methacrylic acid being preferred. The polyol having 4 or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule is preferably a tetrahydric or higher alcohol or a trihydric or higher alcohol oligomer. The oligomer has a molecular structure in which polyhydric alcohols are linked by an ether bond, an ester bond or a urethane bond. Oligomers having a molecular structure in which polyhydric alcohols are linked by ether bonds are preferred.

The polyfunctional monomer is particularly preferably soluble in an organic solvent.
An example of such a monomer is a compound having a boiling point of 100 ° C. or higher at normal pressure.

  Among the polyfunctional monomers described above, as the bifunctional (meth) acrylate, for example, ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol di (meth) acrylate, 1,9-nonanediol di (meth) acrylate, Polypropylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, tetraethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, bisphenoxyethanol full orange acrylate, and the like are listed. Examples of commercially available products include Aronix M-210, M-240, and M-6200 (Toa). Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), KAYARAD HDDA, HX-220, R-604 (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), Biscoat 260, 312 and 335HP (Osaka Organic Chemical Co., Ltd.), etc. Is mentioned.

  Examples of the trifunctional or higher functional (meth) acrylate include trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tri (meth) acrylate, tri ((meth) acryloyloxyethyl) phosphate, pentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylate, Dipentaerythritol penta (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate and the like can be mentioned, and examples of commercially available products thereof include Aronix M-309, M-400, M-405, M-450, and the like. M-7100, M-8030, M-8060 (both trade names, manufactured by Toa Gosei Chemical Co., Ltd.), KAYARAD TMPTA, DPHA, DPCA-20, DPCA-30, DPCA-60, DPCA-120 (both quotient Name, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), BISCOAT 295, the 300, the 360, the same GPT, the same 3PA, the 400 (trade name, manufactured by Osaka Organic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), and the like.

  As examples of further monomers and oligomers, bifunctional or trifunctional or higher (meth) acrylates include, for example, polyethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, polypropylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, trimethylolethane triacrylate, trimethylolpropane diacrylate. , Neopentyl glycol di (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol penta (meth) acrylate, hexanediol di (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (acryloyloxypropyl) ether, tri (acryloyloxyethyl) isocyanurate, tri (acryloyl) Oxyethyl) cyanurate, glycerin tri (meth) acrylate, tri ((meth) acryloyloxyethyl) phosphate, dipenta Lithitol penta (meth) acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate; polyfunctional acrylates such as those obtained by adding ethylene oxide or propylene oxide to polyfunctional alcohols such as trimethylolpropane and glycerin and then (meth) acrylated Functional methacrylate; Poly (meth) acrylate of polyether polyol, poly (meth) acrylate of polyester polyol and poly (meth) acrylate of polyurethane polyol are included.

  Monomers composed of an ester of polyol and acrylic acid are commercially available from Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. (trade name: Diabeam UK-4154) and Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. (trade name: KYARAD / DPHA, SR355).

  These bifunctional or trifunctional or higher functional (meth) acrylates may be used alone or in combination, and may be used in combination with monofunctional (meth) acrylate.

  Examples of monofunctional (meth) acrylates include 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, carbitol (meth) acrylate, isobornyl (meth) acrylate, 3-methoxybutyl (meth) acrylate, and 2- (meth) acryloyloxyethyl. 2-hydroxypropyl phthalate, polyethylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate, polypropylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate, phenoxyethyl (meth) acrylate, ethylene glycol (meth) acrylate, and the like. -101, M-111, M-114 (manufactured by Toa Gosei Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), KAYARAD TC-110S, TC-120S (manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), Biscote 158, 2311 (Osaka) Machine Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.) and the like.

  As will be described later, when preparing the polarizer, it is preferable to fix the orientation state of the dichroic dye, and as a means for fixing, the orientation of the dye is fixed using a polymerization reaction. The polymerization reaction includes a thermal polymerization reaction using a thermal polymerization initiator and a photopolymerization reaction using a photopolymerization initiator.

  The total content of the dichroic dye of the formula (1) and the non-liquid crystalline polymerizable polyfunctional monomer in the total solid content excluding the solvent in the dichroic dye composition is preferably 50% by mass or more. 70 mass% or more is particularly preferable.

Polymerization initiator:
In order to cure the composition containing the radical polymerizable polyfunctional monomer, it is preferable to contain a polymerization initiator.
As the polymerization initiator, known compounds can be suitably used according to photopolymerization and thermal polymerization. For example, α-carbonyl compounds (US Pat. Nos. 2,367,661 and 2,367,670) can be used as examples of the photopolymerization initiator. ), Acyloin ether (described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,828), α-hydrocarbon-substituted aromatic acyloin compound (described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,512), polynuclear quinone compound (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,127 and 2,951,758). No. 3), a combination of triarylimidazole dimer and p-aminophenyl ketone (described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,367), acridine and phenazine compound (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-105667, U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,850) Oxadiazole compounds (US Pat. No. 42129) No. 70).

The amount of the photopolymerization initiator used is preferably 0.01 to 20% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 10% by mass, based on the total solid content excluding the solvent.
Regarding the examples of the photopolymerization initiator, the amount of the photopolymerization initiator used, and the value of the light irradiation energy for polymerization, the descriptions in paragraphs [0050] to [0051] of JP-A-2001-91741 are also included in this book. Applicable to the invention.

Other additives:
In addition to the dichroic dye of the above formula (1) and a non-liquid crystalline polyfunctional monomer, a polymerization initiator, and a non-liquid crystalline binder polymer that are optionally added to the dichroic dye composition, Organic solvents and optional additives can be blended and used in combination. Examples of the additive include a wind non-uniformity inhibitor, a repellency inhibitor, an additive for controlling the tilt angle of the alignment film (the tilt angle of the liquid crystalline dye at the light absorption anisotropic film / alignment film interface), air An additive for controlling the tilt angle of the interface (light absorption anisotropic film / pigment tilt angle at the air interface), a saccharide, a drug having at least one of antifungal, antibacterial and antibacterial functions. Hereinafter, each additive will be described.

Surfactant (wind unevenness prevention agent):
The dichroic dye composition used in the present invention may contain a surfactant. The surfactant will be added for the purpose of preventing wind unevenness and the like during application when the composition is prepared as an application liquid and applied. Generally as this surfactant, a fluorine-type polymer can be used conveniently. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a fluorine-type polymer to be used unless the tilt angle change and orientation of a pigment | dye are inhibited significantly. Examples of the fluoropolymer that can be used as the surfactant include JP-A No. 2004-198511, JP-A No. 4190275, JP-A No. 2004-333852, JP-A No. 2005-206638, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-193565. There is description in the gazette. By using the pigment and the fluorine-based polymer in combination, an image with high display quality can be displayed without causing unevenness. Furthermore, applicability such as repelling is improved.
From the viewpoint of not inhibiting the orientation of the dichroic dye, the amount of the surfactant used for preventing wind unevenness is generally about 0.1 to 10% by mass with respect to the dichroic dye. Is preferably about 0.5 to 10% by mass, and more preferably about 0.5 to 5% by mass.

Anti-repellent agent:
In the dichroic composition used in the present invention, a polymer compound can be added as a material for preventing repelling during coating. The polymer compound used for this purpose is not particularly limited as long as it is compatible with the dichroic dye and does not significantly inhibit the change in the tilt angle or orientation of the dye. Examples of polymers that can be used as repellency inhibitors are described in JP-A-8-95030, and particularly preferred specific polymer examples include cellulose esters. Examples of cellulose esters include cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate butyrate.
In order not to inhibit the orientation of the dichroic dye, the amount of the polymer used for the purpose of preventing repellency is preferably in the range of generally 0.1 to 10% by mass with respect to the dichroic dye. It is more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 8% by mass, and still more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 5% by mass.

Alignment film tilt angle control agent:
An additive for controlling the tilt angle of the dichroic dye molecules on the alignment film side may be added to the dichroic dye composition. Examples of the additive having such an action include compounds having both a polar group and a nonpolar group in the molecule. Examples of the compound having both a polar group and a nonpolar group in the molecule include P ^O —OH, P ^O —COOH, P ^O —O—P ^O , P ^O —NH ₂ , P ^O —NH—P ^O , P ^{O -SH, P O -S-P} O, P O -CO-P O, P O -COO-P O, P O -CONH-P O, P O -CONHCO-P O, P O -SO 3 H , P ^O —SO ₃ —P ^O , P ^O —SO ₂ NH—P ^O , P ^O —SO ₂ NHSO ₂ —P ^O , P ^O —C═N—P ^O , HO—P (—OP ^O ) _{2 , (HO-) 2 PO-OP} O, P (-OP O) 3, HO-PO (-OP O) 2, (HO-) 2 PO-OP O, PO (-OP O) 3, P O - Preferred examples include NO ₂ and P ^O —CN and organic salts thereof. Here, as the organic salt, in addition to the organic salt of the above compound (for example, ammonium salt, carboxylate, sulfonate, etc.), pyridinium salt and the like can be preferably employed. Among the compounds having both a polar group and a nonpolar group in the molecule, P ^O —OH, P ^O —COOH, P ^O —O—P ^O , P ^O —NH ₂ , P ^O —SO ₃ H, HO _{^{-PO (-OP O) 2, (}} HO-) 2 PO-OP O, PO (-OP O) 3 or their organic salts. Here, each P ^O represents a nonpolar group, and when there are a plurality of P ^O , they may be the same or different.

As P 2 ^O , for example, an alkyl group (preferably a linear, branched or cyclic substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms), an alkenyl group (preferably a linear or branched chain having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, Cyclic substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl groups), alkynyl groups (preferably linear, branched, cyclic substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms), aryl groups (preferably having 6 to 30 carbon atoms). Examples thereof include substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups) and silyl groups (preferably substituted or unsubstituted silyl groups having 3 to 30 carbon atoms). These nonpolar groups may further have a substituent. Examples of the substituent include a halogen atom, an alkyl group (including a cycloalkyl group and a bicycloalkyl group), an alkenyl group (a cycloalkenyl group and a bicycloalkenyl group). Alkynyl group, aryl group, heterocyclic group, cyano group, hydroxyl group, nitro group, carboxyl group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, silyloxy group, heterocyclic oxy group, acyloxy group, carbamoyloxy group, alkoxycarbonyloxy Group, aryloxycarbonyloxy group, amino group (including anilino group), acylamino group, aminocarbonylamino group, alkoxycarbonylamino group, aryloxycarbonylamino group, sulfamoylamino group, alkylsulfonylamino group, arylsulfonyl Mino group, mercapto group, alkylthio group, arylthio group, heterocyclic thio group, sulfamoyl group, sulfo group, alkylsulfinyl group, arylsulfinyl group, alkylsulfonyl group, arylsulfonyl group, acyl group, aryloxycarbonyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group Preferred examples include carbamoyl group, arylazo group, heterocyclic azo group, imide group, phosphino group, phosphinyl group, phosphinyloxy group, phosphinylamino group, silyl group and the like.

In general, the addition amount of the alignment film tilt angle controlling agent is preferably about 0.0001% by mass to 30% by mass with respect to the mass of the dichroic dye, and 0.001% by mass to 20%. More preferably, it is about mass%, more preferably about 0.005 mass% to 10 mass%.
In the present invention, the alignment film tilt control agent described in JP-A-2006-58801 can be used.

Air interface tilt angle control agent (horizontal alignment agent):
The dichroic dye composition used in the present invention preferably contains a horizontal alignment agent as an air interface tilt angle control agent. The horizontal alignment agent used in the present invention is preferably
(1) a fluoroaliphatic group-containing compound represented by the following general formula (III); or
(2) selected from the group consisting of polymerized units of fluoroaliphatic group-containing monomers represented by general formula (IV) or general formula (V) and polymerized units of amide group-containing monomers represented by general formula (VI) A fluoroaliphatic group-containing copolymer comprising at least one polymerized unit.
Each will be described below. First, (1) the fluoroaliphatic group-containing compound represented by the general formula (III) will be described.

In the formula, R ¹¹ , R ²² and R ³³ each independently represents an alkoxy group having a CF ₃ group or a CF ₂ H group at the terminal, and X ¹¹ , X ²² and X ³³ each independently represent —NH—, -O- or -S- is represented, and m11, m22 and m33 each independently represent an integer of 1 to 3.

The substituent represented by each of R ¹¹ , R ²² and R ³³ is an alkoxy group having a CF ₃ group or a CF ₂ H group at the terminal, and may be linear or branched. Preferably it is C4-C20, More preferably, it is C4-C16, Most preferably, it is 6-16. The alkoxy group having a CF ₃ group or a CF ₂ H group at the terminal is an alkoxy group in which part or all of the hydrogen atoms contained in the alkoxy group are substituted with fluorine atoms. 50% or more of the hydrogen atoms in the alkoxy group are preferably substituted with fluorine atoms, more preferably 60% or more are substituted, and particularly preferably 70% or more are substituted. Examples of alkoxy groups having a CF ₃ group or a CF ₂ H group at the ends represented by R ¹¹ , R ²² and R ³³ are shown below.

R1: n-C ₈ F ₁₇ —O—
_{R2: n-C 6 F 13} -O-
_{R3: n-C 4 F 9} -O-
_{R4: n-C 8 F 17} - (CH 2) 2 -O- (CH 2) 2 -O-
_{R5: n-C 6 F 13} - (CH 2) 2 -O- (CH 2) 2 -O-
_{R6: n-C 4 F 9} - (CH 2) 2 -O- (CH 2) 2 -O-
_{R7: n-C 8 F 17} - (CH 2) 3 -O-
_{R8: n-C 6 F 13} - (CH 2) 3 -O-
_{R9: n-C 4 F 9} - (CH 2) 3 -O-
_{R10: H- (CF 2) 8} -O-
R11: H— (CF ₂ ) ₆ —O—
R12: H— (CF ₂ ) ₄ —O—
_{R13: H- (CF 2) 8} - (CH 2) -O-
_{R14: H- (CF 2) 6} - (CH 2) -O-
_{R15: H- (CF 2) 4} - (CH 2) -O-
_{R16: H- (CF 2) 8} - (CH 2) -O- (CH 2) 2 -O-
R17: H— (CF ₂ ) ₆ — (CH ₂ ) —O— (CH ₂ ) ₂ —O—
_{R18: H- (CF 2) 4} - (CH 2) -O- (CH 2) 2 -O-

In the general formula (III), X ¹¹ , X ²² and X ³³ each preferably represent —NH— or —O—, and most preferably represents —NH—. m ¹¹ , m ²² and m ³³ are each preferably 2.

  Specific examples of the compound represented by the general formula (III) are shown below, but are not limited thereto.

  Next, (2) a group consisting of a polymer unit of a fluoroaliphatic group-containing monomer represented by general formula (IV) or general formula (V) and a polymer unit of an amide group-containing monomer represented by general formula (VI) A fluoroaliphatic group-containing copolymer containing at least one polymer unit selected from:

In the formula, R ¹ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a methyl group, L ¹ represents a divalent linking group, and m1 represents an integer of 1 to 18.

In the formula, R ² represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group, L ² represents a divalent linking group, and n1 represents an integer of 1 to 18.

In the formula, R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group, and R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aromatic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms or a carbon number. 1-20 heterocyclic groups are represented. R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ may be connected to each other to form a heterocyclic ring.

In the general formula (IV), R ¹ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group, and more preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. L ¹ represents a divalent linking group, m1 represents an integer of 1 to 18, more preferably 2 to 12, still more preferably 4 to 8, and even more preferably 4 or 6.
In the general formula (V), R ² represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group, and more preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. L ² represents a divalent linking group, n1 represents an integer of 1 to 18, more preferably 2 to 12, still more preferably 4 to 8, and most preferably 4 or 6.

L ¹ and L ² are not limited as long as they are each independently a divalent substituent, but a structure represented by the following general formula (VII) is more preferable. Here, (a) shows the position bonded to the double bond side, and (b) shows the position bonded to the fluoroaliphatic group side.

Formula (VII)
^{(A) -X 10 -R 20 -} (b)
In the general formula (VII), X ¹⁰ is a single bond or * -COO-**, * -COS-**, * -OCO-**, * -CON (R ²¹ )-**, * -O-. Represents a divalent linking group represented by **. Here, * represents a position bonded to the double bond side, and ** represents a position bonded to R ²⁰ .
R ²⁰ is an optionally substituted polymethylene group (eg, methylene group, ethylene group, trimethylene group, etc.), an optionally substituted phenylene group (eg, o-phenylene group, m-phenylene group). , P-phenylene group, and the like, and a group that can be formed by any combination thereof. Among them, a polymethylene group is more preferable, and among the polymethylene groups, a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group, and a tetramethylene group are preferable, and a methylene group and an ethylene group are still more preferable.
R ²¹ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a substituent having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or an aryl group which may have a substituent having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, A 1-6 alkyl group is more preferable, and a hydrogen atom or a C1-C4 alkyl group is still more preferable.

  The fluoroaliphatic group-containing monomer represented by the general formula (IV) is more preferably a monomer represented by the following general formula (VIII).

In General Formula (VIII), X ¹ represents a divalent group represented by —O—, —S—, or —N (R ²²² ) —, and p represents an integer of 1 to 8. X ¹ is more preferably —O— or —N (R ²²² ) —, and most preferably —O—. As for p, 1-6 are more preferable, and it is still more preferable that it is 1-3. R ¹ and m1 have the same meanings as described in the general formula (IV), and preferred ranges are also the same. R ²²² represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or an aryl group which may have a substituent having 6 to 20 carbon atoms.

  Among the fluoroaliphatic group-containing monomers represented by the general formula (V), monomers represented by the following general formula (IX) are preferable.

In General Formula (IX), X ² represents a substituent represented by —O—, —S— or —N (R ²²² ) —, and q represents an integer of 1 to 8. X ² is more preferably —O— or —N (R ²²² ) —, and most preferably —O—. As for p, 1-6 are more preferable, and it is still more preferable that it is 1-3. R ² and n1 have the same meanings as described in the general formula (V), and the preferred ranges are also the same. R ²²² has the same meaning as that described in formula (VIII).

Next, the polymerization unit of the amide group-containing monomer represented by the general formula (VI) will be described.
In the general formula (VI), R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group, more preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an aromatic group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms or a heterocyclic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and these substituents are further substituted It may have a group. In addition, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and an aromatic group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms are more preferable, and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and an aromatic group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms are further included. preferable. R ¹⁰ and R ¹¹ may be linked to each other to form a heterocyclic ring. Examples of the formed heterocyclic ring include a pyrrolidine ring, a piperidine ring, and a morpholine ring.

  The fluoroaliphatic group-containing copolymer used as the horizontal alignment agent includes both a fluoroaliphatic group-containing monomer and an amide group-containing monomer as polymerized units, and each monomer may include two or more kinds of polymerized units. In addition, the copolymer may include one or more other copolymerizable monomers as polymerized units. Other types of such copolymerizable monomers include Polymer Handbook 2nd ed. , J .; Brandrup, Wiley lnterscience (1975) Chapter 2 Pages 1-483 can be used. Examples thereof include compounds having one addition polymerizable unsaturated bond selected from acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, methacrylamides, allyl compounds, vinyl ethers, vinyl esters and the like.

  A preferred mass average molecular weight of the fluoroaliphatic group-containing copolymer used as the horizontal alignment agent is 2000 to 100,000, more preferably 3000 to 80,000, and still more preferably 4,000 to 60,000. 000. Here, the mass average molecular weight and the molecular weight are converted into polystyrene by GTH analyzer using a column of TSKgel GMHxL, TSKgel G4000HxL, TSKgel G2000HxL (both trade names manufactured by Tosoh Corporation), and solvent THF and differential refractometer detection. Is the molecular weight.

  Hereinafter, although the example of the specific structure of the fluoro aliphatic group containing copolymer which can be used for this invention as said horizontal alignment agent is shown, it is not restrict | limited to the following specific examples. In addition, the number in a formula shows the mass ratio of each monomer component. Mw represents a mass average molecular weight.

  In addition, horizontal alignment agents described in JP-A-2005-99248, JP-A-2005-134484, JP-A-2006-126768, and JP-A-2006-267183 may be selected.

  In the present invention, only one horizontal alignment agent may be used, or two or more horizontal alignment agents may be used. The addition amount of the horizontal alignment agent in the dichroic dye composition is preferably 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass with respect to the addition amount of the dichroic dye, and 0.5% by mass. It is more preferable that it is -10 mass%, and it is especially preferable that it is 0.5 mass%-5 mass%.

Sugars:
Saccharides may be added to the dichroic dye composition used in the present invention. By adding saccharides, the association degree of the dye aggregate can be improved, and as a result, the molecular orientation of the dye can be increased.
Examples of saccharides that can be used include monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and sugar derivatives such as sugar alcohols. Among the saccharides, in order to achieve the effects of the present invention, those having a hydroxyl group of usually 2 or more, preferably 3 or more, preferably 18 or less, and more preferably 12 or less are preferable from the viewpoint of molecular association. If there are too many hydroxyl groups, the interaction with the dye will be too strong and will precipitate, which will impair the orientation of the dye film, and if too little, the interaction with the dye will be insufficient and the orientation will be improved. It is not preferable because it cannot be done.

  The molecular weight of the saccharide used is preferably 1,000 or less, more preferably 700 or less. If the molecular weight of the saccharide is too large, it is not preferred because it may cause phase separation from the dye and impair the orientation of the dye film.

  The carbon number of the saccharide used is usually 36 or less, preferably 24 or less. If the saccharide has too many carbon atoms, the molecular weight of the saccharide increases, which causes phase separation from the azo dye, which may impair the orientation of the dye film.

Among the saccharides used in the present invention, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and monosaccharide alcohols are preferable because they satisfy the above-described optimum hydroxyl group number and molecular weight range.
Examples of monosaccharides include xylose, ribose, glucose, fructose, mannose, sorbose, and galactose.
Examples of the oligosaccharide include trehalose, kojibiose, nigerose, maltose, maltotriose, isomaltotriose, maltotetraose, isomaltose, sophorose, laminaribiose, cellobiose, gentiobiose, lactose, sucrose, melibiose, lutinose, primiverose, Examples include turanose, panose, isopanose, cellotriose, manninotriose, solatriose, melezitose, planteose, gentianose, umbelliferose, raffinose, and stachyose.
Examples of the sugar alcohol include compounds obtained by reducing the above monosaccharides and oligosaccharides such as threitol, xylitol, ribitol, arabitol, sorbitol, and mannitol.

  As the saccharide, xylose, mannose, maltose, maltotriose and arabitol are particularly preferable.

  These saccharides and sugar alcohols each have optical isomers, but each may be used alone or both in the composition used in the present invention. Moreover, saccharides may be used individually by 1 type in the composition of this invention, and 2 or more types may be used in combination.

  In the dichroic dye composition, the saccharide content relative to the dichroic dye is preferably in the range of 0.1 or more and 1 or less in terms of mass ratio. More preferably, it is 0.2 or more, particularly preferably 0.3 or more, further preferably 0.7 or less, and particularly preferably 0.6 or less. When the saccharide content is in the above range, the association degree of the dye aggregate can be increased without decreasing the degree of orientation of the aggregate.

Antifungal, antibacterial and fungicides:
You may add the chemical | medical agent which has at least any function of antifungal, antibacterial, and disinfection to the said dichroic dye composition. By adding these additives, the storage stability of the composition can be improved.
In the present specification, “a drug having at least one of antifungal, antibacterial, and sterilization functions” refers to an antifungal ability that suppresses the generation / growth / growth of mold, a sterilizing ability that kills microorganisms, and a microorganism It means a drug having at least one function of antibacterial ability that suppresses the generation, growth and proliferation of sucrose. Known antifungal agents, bactericides, and antibacterial agents can be used. However, it is preferable that the optical property of the polarizer formed from the composition is not deteriorated. Examples of the drug having at least one of antifungal, antibacterial and bactericidal functions that can be used in the present invention include conventional phenols such as 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl, chlorine dioxide and the like. And quaternary ammonium salt systems such as benzalkonium chloride.

  In addition, as an active ingredient 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one, Proxel BDN, Proxel BD20, Proxel GXL, Proxel LV, Proxel XL, Proxel XL2, Proxel Ultra10 (above, manufactured by Avecia, trade name), Polyhexametylene biguanide hydrochloride as an active ingredient, Proxel IB (Avecia, trade name), Dithio-2,2'-bis (benzmethylamide) as an active ingredient, Densil P (Avecia, trade name) ) And the like.

Further, the following compounds are particularly preferable because they exhibit an antibacterial effect particularly in a very small amount.
No. Compound name 2-chloromethyl-5-chloro-3-isothiazolone 2. 2-cyanomethyl-5-chloro-3-isothiazolone 2-hydroxymethyl-5-chloro-3-isothiazolone4. 2- (3-Methylcyclohexyl) -3-isothiazolone 2- (4-Chlorophenyl) -4,5-dichloro-3-isothiazolone6. 6. 2- (4-Ethylphenyl) -3-isothiazolone 2- (4-Nitrophenyl) -5-chloro-3-isothiazolone8. 2-chloromethyl-3-isothiazolone9. 2-methoxyphenyl-4-methyl-5-chloro-3-isothiazolone 2-morpholinomethyl-5-chloro-3-isothiazolone These compounds can be synthesized with reference to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 2-278, but trade name: Tribactrane (manufactured by Hoechst), etc. Commercial products can also be used.

Moreover, the chemical | medical agent which has at least any one function of antifungal, antibacterial, and disinfection which can be used by this invention can also be used individually or in combination of 2 or more types.
The content of the agent having at least one of antifungal, antibacterial and bactericidal functions in the composition is not particularly limited, but is usually 0.01% by mass or more, preferably 0.001% by mass or more. On the other hand, it is usually 0.5% by mass or less, preferably 0.3% by mass or less. When the content of the drug having at least one of antifungal, antibacterial and sterilizing functions is within the above range, sufficient antifungal and antibacterial can be achieved without causing the precipitation of the drug or phase separation during film formation. Or the bactericidal effect is acquired.

Electron-Deficient lamellar compounds and Electron-Rich compounds:
Since the polarizer obtained by the method of the present invention has a high degree of polarization, the composition contains an electron-deficient discotic compound and an electron-rich compound. Is preferred. As the electron-deficient discotic compound and the electron-rich compound, for example, those described in JP-A-2006-323377 can be used.

The ratio of the electron-deficient discotic compound in the composition is usually 0.1 parts by mass or more, preferably 0.2 parts by mass or more, when the total composition is 100 parts by mass. Moreover, it is 50 mass parts or less normally, Preferably it is the range of 40 mass parts or less. When the ratio of the compound is within this range, the effect of addition can be obtained without excessively increasing the viscosity of the composition as a solution.
Moreover, the ratio of the electron-rich compound in the composition is usually 50 parts by mass or less, preferably 40 parts by mass or less when the entire composition is 100 parts by mass. When the ratio of the compound is within this range, the effect of addition can be obtained without excessively increasing the viscosity of the composition as a solution.

Non-liquid crystalline polymer (binder polymer):
The dichroic dye composition may contain a non-liquid crystalline polymer. The non-liquid crystalline polymer may be a polymer formed by coating the dichroic dye composition containing a monomer on a substrate or an alignment film and then polymerizing the monomer.
Examples of binder polymers that can be added to the dichroic composition include acrylic resins such as polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylic acid esters, and polyacrylamide, polyvinyl acetal resins such as polystyrene resin, polyvinyl acetoacetal, and polyvinyl butyral, Modified cellulose resins such as ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxy cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose nitrate, etc. celluloses such as nitrocellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, and ethyl cellulose Resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate Fat, phenoxy resins, phenol resins, epoxy resins, various elastomers, and the like. These may be used alone, or may be mixed or copolymerized for use.
As the non-liquid crystalline binder polymer, an acrylic polymer (a resin having an acrylic copolymer or a styrene copolymer as a main chain) is particularly preferable, and it is particularly preferable that the non-liquid crystalline binder polymer is soluble in an organic solvent.

  For example, a known radical polymerization method can be applied to the production of the acrylic polymer. Polymerization conditions such as temperature, pressure, type and amount of radical initiator, type of solvent, etc. in the production by the radical polymerization method can be easily set by those skilled in the art, and the conditions should be determined experimentally. You can also.

  As for specific copolymerization components of the above acrylic polymer, unsaturated carboxylic acid (eg, (meth) acrylic acid, crotonic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid and fumaric acid), aromatic vinyl compound (eg, styrene, α-methylstyrene, vinyltoluene, 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, N-vinylimidazole, etc.), (meth) acrylic acid alkyl esters (eg, methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, n-butyl) (Meth) acrylate, i-butyl (meth) acrylate, hexyl (meth) acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth) acrylate, dodecyl (meth) acrylate, etc.), (meth) acrylic acid alkyl aryl ester (eg, benzyl (meth) acrylate, etc.) ), (Meth) acrylic acid substituted alkyl ester Tell (eg, glycidyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, etc.), carboxylic acid vinyl esters (eg, vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate), vinyl cyanide (eg, (meth) acrylonitrile and α-chloro Acrylonitrile) and aliphatic conjugated dienes (eg, 1,3-butadiene and isoprene). Among these, unsaturated carboxylic acids, aromatic vinyl compounds, (meth) acrylic acid alkyl esters, (meth) acrylic acid alkyl aryl esters and carboxylic acid vinyl esters are preferred. Here, (meth) acrylic acid is a general term that combines acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and (meth) acrylate is also a general term for acrylate and methacrylate.

Furthermore, an acrylic polymer having a (meth) acryloyl group in the side chain or a macromonomer (for example, a polystyrene macromonomer, a polymethyl methacrylate macromonomer, a polyethylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate, a polypropylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate, a polyethylene as a copolymerization component) An acrylic graft polymer containing glycol polypropylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate and the like is also preferable.
These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  In the dichroic dye composition, the content of the non-liquid crystalline polymer in the total solid content excluding the solvent is preferably 0.5 to 90% by mass, and more preferably 1 to 80% by mass. It is preferably 5 to 70% by mass.

solvent:
The dichroic dye composition is preferably prepared as a coating solution. The solvent used for preparing the coating solution is preferably an organic solvent. Examples of usable organic solvents include amides (eg, N, N-dimethylformamide), sulfoxides (eg, dimethyl sulfoxide), heterocyclic compounds (eg, pyridine), hydrocarbons (eg, benzene, toluene, hexane). , Alkyl halides (eg, chloroform, dichloromethane), esters (eg, methyl acetate, butyl acetate), ketones (eg, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone), ethers (eg, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane). Hydrocarbons, alkyl halides and ketones are preferred. Two or more organic solvents may be used in combination.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular about the preparation method of the coating liquid of the said dichroic dye composition. It is prepared by dissolving the one or more dichroic dyes and one or more of the above-mentioned additives (for example, a surfactant, a horizontal alignment agent, etc.) that are optionally added in a solvent. The coating liquid may not be completely dissolved but may be dispersed.

  The dichroic dye composition is preferably prepared as a coating solution having a total solid content of about 0.1 to 10% by mass, and more preferably about 0.5 to 5% by mass. When the coating liquid is prepared in this concentration range, the polarizing layer can be stably formed by a wet film forming method.

2. Light Absorption Anisotropic Film The present invention also relates to a light absorption anisotropic film comprising the dichroic dye composition of the present invention.
An example of the manufacturing method of the light absorption anisotropic film of the present invention is as follows.
The dichroic dye composition prepared as a coating solution is applied to the surface to form a coating film. As the coating method, a known and commonly used method such as a spin coating method, a gravure printing method, a flexographic printing method, an ink jet method, a die coating method, a slit die coating method, a cap coating method, or a dipping method can be used. Usually, since the solution diluted with the organic solvent is applied, it is dried after application to obtain a coating film.

  Solutes such as organic solvents are evaporated from the coating film of the dichroic dye composition, and the dichroic dye composition is oriented. Preferably, it is naturally dried at room temperature. It is preferable not to disturb the orientation state of the azo dye molecules formed by coating (avoid thermal relaxation or the like). In the pressure reduction treatment, it is also preferable to evaporate the solvent and dry at a lower temperature.

The term “depressurization treatment” as used herein refers to removing a solvent by evaporating a substrate having a coating film under reduced pressure conditions. At this time, it is preferable that the substrate having the film is kept horizontal so that it does not flow from the high part to the bottom part.
The shorter the time it takes for the coating film to start the decompression treatment after coating, the better, and it is preferably 1 second to 30 seconds.
Examples of the decompression method include the following methods. The coating film obtained by applying the coating solution is put together with the substrate in a reduced pressure processing apparatus and subjected to reduced pressure processing. For example, a decompression processing apparatus as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of JP-A-2006-201759 can be used. Details of the decompression processing apparatus are described in JP-A No. 2004-169975.

As the conditions for the reduced pressure treatment, the pressure in the system where the coating film exists is preferably 2 × 10 ⁴ Pa or less, more preferably 1 × 10 ⁴ Pa or less, and particularly preferably 1 × 10 ³ Pa or less. Further, it is preferably ¹ Pa or more, more preferably 1 × 10 ¹ Pa or more. Usually, the pressure finally reached in the system is preferably as described above. If the upper limit is exceeded, drying may not be possible and the orientation may be disturbed. If the lower limit is not reached, drying may be too rapid and defects may occur.
The decompression time is preferably 5 seconds or more and 180 seconds or less. If it exceeds the upper limit, the coating film cannot be dried rapidly before the orientation relaxation, and the orientation may be disturbed. If it falls below the lower limit, it may not be dried and the orientation may be disturbed.

  Further, the temperature in the system during the decompression treatment is preferably 10 ° C. or more and 60 ° C. or less. If the upper limit is exceeded, convection may occur during drying, and non-uniformity may occur in the coating film. If the lower limit is not reached, drying may not be possible and orientation may be disturbed.

  When drying the coating film and orienting the dichroic dye composition, it may be heated to promote the orientation. The temperature is preferably 50 ° C. or higher and 200 ° C. or lower, and particularly preferably 70 ° C. or higher and 180 ° C. or lower. In order to lower the orientation temperature, an additive such as a plasticizer may be used in combination with the dichroic dye composition.

For example, when the dichroic dye composition is applied to the alignment film surface described later, one or more dichroic dye molecules are aligned at the tilt angle of the alignment film at the interface with the alignment film, The interface is oriented at the tilt angle of the air interface. In order to produce a polarizing layer having a high degree of polarization, it is preferable to horizontally align the azo dye at any interface and fix the alignment state.
In the present specification, “tilt angle” means an angle formed between the major axis direction of an azo dye molecule and an interface (alignment film interface or air interface). From the viewpoint of polarization performance, the tilt angle on the alignment film side is preferably 0 ° to 10 °, more preferably 0 ° to 5 °, particularly preferably 0 ° to 2 °, and still more preferably 0 ° to 1 °. . The preferred tilt angle on the air interface side is 0 ° to 10 °, more preferably 0 to 5 °, and particularly preferably 0 to 2 °.

In order to reduce the tilt angle on the air interface side of the molecule of the dichroic dye to the above range, the composition comprises (1) a fluoroaliphatic group-containing compound represented by the general formula (III); 2) At least selected from the group consisting of polymerized units of fluoroaliphatic group-containing monomers represented by general formula (IV) or (V) and polymerized units of amide group-containing monomers represented by general formula (VI) It preferably contains a fluoroaliphatic group-containing copolymer containing one kind of polymerized units. By orienting the dichroic dye molecules in the presence of at least one of these, the tilt angle on the air interface side can be reduced to the above range.
Incidentally, the alignment film side tilt angle tends to be reduced by the action of the alignment film as compared with the air interface side tilt angle, but by adding the above-described alignment film tilt control agent to the composition, The tilt angle on the alignment film side can be further reduced, and the azo dye molecules can be stably in a horizontal alignment state.

In an embodiment in which the dichroic dye composition contains a curable component such as the non-liquid crystalline radical polymerizable polyfunctional monomer and the polymerization initiator, after the azo dye molecule is in a desired alignment state, It is preferable to advance the polymerization and curing by light irradiation (preferably ultraviolet irradiation), heating, or a combination thereof.
In addition, the description of paragraphs [0050] to [0051] of JP-A-2001-91741 can be referred to for the value of light irradiation energy for polymerization.

  A polarizing layer can be formed as described above. The thickness of the polarizing layer is preferably 0.01 to 2 μm, and more preferably 0.05 to 2 μm.

  For the production of the light absorption anisotropic film of the present invention, it is preferable to use an alignment film. The alignment film used in the present invention may be any layer as long as the molecules of the liquid crystalline azo dye can be brought into a desired alignment state on the alignment film. Organic compound (eg, ω-tricosanoic acid) by rubbing treatment of organic compound (preferably polymer) on film surface, oblique deposition of inorganic compound, formation of layer having microgroove, or Langmuir-Blodgett method (LB film) , Dioctadecylmethylammonium chloride, methyl stearylate). Furthermore, an alignment film in which an alignment function is generated by application of an electric field, application of a magnetic field, or light irradiation is also known. Among them, in the present invention, an alignment film formed by rubbing treatment is preferable from the viewpoint of easy control of the pretilt angle of the alignment film, and a photo alignment film formed by light irradiation is preferable from the viewpoint of uniformity of alignment.

-Rubbing treatment alignment film The polymer material used for the alignment film formed by the rubbing treatment is described in a large number of documents, and a large number of commercially available products can be obtained. In the alignment film of the present invention, polyvinyl alcohol or polyimide and derivatives thereof are preferably used. Regarding the alignment film, reference can be made to the description of page 43, line 24 to page 49, line 8 of WO01 / 88574A1.
The thickness of the alignment film is preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, and more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm.

The rubbing treatment can be generally carried out by rubbing the surface of the polymer layer several times with paper or cloth in a certain direction. In particular, in the present invention, “Liquid Crystal Handbook” (published by Maruzensha, October 30, 2000). It is preferable to carry out by the method described in (1).
As a method for changing the rubbing density, a method described in “Liquid Crystal Handbook” (published by Maruzen) can be used. The rubbing density (L) is quantified by the following formula (A).
Formula (A) L = Nl (1 + 2πrn / 60v)
In the formula (A), N is the number of rubbing, l is the contact length of the rubbing roller, r is the radius of the roller, n is the number of rotations (rpm) of the roller, and v is the stage moving speed (second speed).

In order to increase the rubbing density, the rubbing frequency should be increased, the contact length of the rubbing roller should be increased, the radius of the roller should be increased, the rotation speed of the roller should be increased, and the stage moving speed should be decreased, while the rubbing density should be decreased. To do this, you can reverse this.
Between the rubbing density and the pretilt angle of the alignment film, there is a relationship in which the pretilt angle decreases as the rubbing density increases and the pretilt angle increases as the rubbing density decreases.

-Photo-alignment film The photo-alignment material used for the alignment film formed by light irradiation has description in many literatures. In the alignment film of the present invention, for example, JP 2006-285197 A, JP 2007-76839 A, JP 2007-138138 A, JP 2007-94071 A, JP 2007-121721 A, The azo compounds described in JP 2007-140465 A, JP 2007-156439 A, JP 2007-133184 A, JP 2009-109831 A, Patent No. 3888848, and Japanese Patent No. 4151746, No. 229039, a maleimide and / or alkenyl-substituted nadiimide compound having a photoalignment unit described in JP-A No. 2002-265541 and JP-A No. 2002-317013, Japanese Patent No. 4205195, Patent Photocrosslinking property described in No. 4205198 Run derivatives, Kohyo 2003-520878, JP-T-2004-529220 and JP-mentioned as examples photocrosslinkable polyimide, polyamide, or an ester are preferred according to Patent No. 4,162,850. Particularly preferred are azo compounds, photocrosslinkable polyimides, polyamides, or esters.

The photo-alignment film formed from the above material is irradiated with linearly polarized light or non-polarized light to produce a photo-alignment film.
In this specification, “linearly polarized light irradiation” is an operation for causing a photoreaction in the photo-alignment material. The wavelength of light used varies depending on the photo-alignment material used, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a wavelength necessary for the photoreaction. Preferably, the peak wavelength of light used for light irradiation is 200 nm to 700 nm, more preferably ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength of light of 400 nm or less.

  The light source used for light irradiation is a commonly used light source such as a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a xenon flash lamp, a mercury lamp, a mercury xenon lamp, a carbon arc lamp, or various lasers (eg, semiconductor laser, helium). Neon laser, argon ion laser, helium cadmium laser, YAG laser), light emitting diode, cathode ray tube, and the like.

  As means for obtaining linearly polarized light, a method using a polarizing plate (eg, iodine polarizing plate, dichroic dye polarizing plate, wire grid polarizing plate), reflection using a prism-based element (eg, Glan-Thompson prism) or Brewster angle A method using a type polarizer or a method using light emitted from a laser light source having polarization can be employed. Moreover, you may selectively irradiate only the light of the required wavelength using a filter, a wavelength conversion element, etc.

In the case of linearly polarized light, a method of irradiating light from the top surface or the back surface to the alignment film surface perpendicularly or obliquely to the alignment film is employed. The incident angle of the light varies depending on the photo-alignment material, but is, for example, 0 to 90 ° (vertical), preferably 40 to 90.
When non-polarized light is used, the non-polarized light is irradiated obliquely. The incident angle is 10 to 80 °, preferably 20 to 60, and particularly preferably 30 to 50 °.
The irradiation time is preferably 1 minute to 60 minutes, more preferably 1 minute to 10 minutes.

  When patterning is required, a method of performing light irradiation using a photomask as many times as necessary for pattern formation or a method of writing a pattern by laser beam scanning can be employed.

  The thickness of the light absorption anisotropic film of the present invention formed from the dichroic dye composition is preferably 0.01 to 2 μm, and more preferably 0.05 to 2 μm.

3. Polarizer, Display Device (1) Polarizer The present invention also relates to a polarizer having a substrate and the light absorption anisotropic film of the present invention on the substrate.
substrate:
The substrate that can be used in the present invention will be selected depending on the application of the polarizer. For example, alkali-free glass, soda glass, Pyrex (registered trademark) glass, quartz glass used for liquid crystal display elements, OLED elements, etc .; photoelectric conversion element substrate used for solid-state imaging elements, etc .; silicon substrate; plastic substrate; And a substrate on which a functional layer such as a transparent conductive film, a color filter film, an electrode and a TFT is formed. On these substrates, a black matrix for isolating each pixel may be formed, or a transparent resin layer may be provided for promoting adhesion. It is also preferable that the plastic substrate has a gas barrier layer and / or a solvent resistant layer on the surface thereof.

  The light transmittance of the substrate used in the present invention is preferably 80% or more. The plastic substrate is preferably an optically isotropic polymer film. The description of paragraph number [0013] of JP-A No. 2002-22294 can be applied to specific examples and preferred embodiments of the polymer. Further, even a conventionally known polymer such as polycarbonate or polysulfone that easily develops birefringence is used by reducing the expression by modifying the molecule described in International Publication WO00 / 26705. You can also.

Other functional layers:
The polarizer of the present invention may have an alignment film between the substrate and the light absorption anisotropic film. Examples of alignment films, materials used for formation, and formation methods are as described above.
The polarizer of the present invention preferably has a color filter layer between the substrate and the light absorption anisotropic film. In addition to the color filter layer, other functional layers such as a transparent conductive film, a color filter film, an electrode, and a TFT may be included. Further, a black matrix for isolating each pixel may be formed.
Moreover, the polarizer of the present invention may have a transparent resin cured layer on the light absorption anisotropic film.

(2) Display device The display device of the present invention comprises at least one light absorption anisotropic film or polarizer of the present invention. There is no particular limitation on the configuration and the like. Specific examples include transmissive, reflective, or transflective liquid crystal display devices in various modes such as TN, STN, VA, ECB, IPS, OCB, and blue phase, and OLEDs. Particularly preferred is a display device in which the light-absorbing anisotropic film or polarizer of the present invention is installed on the inner surface side of the substrate (so-called in-cell polarizer), more preferably laminated on a color filter substrate. It is a display device. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce a decrease in contrast due to scattered light caused by depolarization by the color filter layer.

In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples and further comparative examples. The materials, amounts used, ratios, processing details, processing procedures, and the like shown in the following examples can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the specific examples shown below.
In the following examples, the measurement of optical characteristics of the light absorption anisotropic film was performed as follows.

<Dichroic ratio of light absorption anisotropic film>
The dichroic ratio was calculated by the following equation after measuring the absorbance of the light-absorbing anisotropic film with a spectrophotometer in which an iodine-type polarizing element was arranged in the incident optical system.
Dichroic ratio (D) = Az / Ay
Az: Absorbance with respect to polarized light in the absorption axis direction of the light absorption anisotropic film Ay: Absorbance with respect to polarization in the polarization axis direction of the light absorption anisotropic film

<Calculation of molecular length, molecular width, and aspect ratio>
The molecular length, molecular width, and aspect ratio were calculated from molecular orbital calculations using MOPAC (Version 6.03) and MOS-F (Version 5.0A).

Example 1
0.13 of 99 parts by mass of chloroform was mixed with the following dichroic squarylium dye VI-1 (maximum absorption wavelength (chloroform solution): 628 nm, molecular length: 19.5 mm, molecular width: 7.61 mm, aspect ratio: 2.55). 0.87 parts by mass of the following dichroic azo dye A2-3 (a compound of the general formula (II)) was added, dissolved by stirring, and filtered to obtain a dichroic dye composition coating solution.
Next, the said coating liquid was apply | coated to the rubbing process surface of the alignment film formed on the glass substrate, and it dried at room temperature. As the alignment film, a polyvinyl alcohol alignment film (manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd., trade name: PVA-103) was used. The obtained light absorption anisotropic film exhibited maximum absorption at a wavelength of 747 nm, and the dichroic ratio was 43. Moreover, the dichroic dye composition has thermotropic liquid crystallinity, and its isotropic phase transition temperature was 245 ° C.

(Example 2)
Example 1 except that the dichroic squarylium dye was changed to VI-2 (maximum absorption wavelength (chloroform solution): 634 nm, molecular length: 21.3 mm, molecular width: 7.62 mm, aspect ratio: 2.79). A light absorption anisotropic film was prepared in the same manner as described above.
The obtained light absorption anisotropic film exhibited maximum absorption at a wavelength of 750 nm, and the dichroic ratio was 15. Moreover, the dichroic dye composition has thermotropic liquid crystallinity, and its isotropic phase transition temperature was 239 ° C.

(Example 3)
Example 1 except that the dichroic squarylium dye was changed to VI-5 (maximum absorption wavelength (chloroform solution): 636 nm, molecular length: 21.4 mm, molecular width: 8.01 mm, aspect ratio: 2.67). A light absorption anisotropic film was prepared in the same manner as described above.
The obtained light absorption anisotropic film exhibited a maximum absorption at 740 nm, and the dichroic ratio was 41. Moreover, the dichroic dye composition has thermotropic liquid crystallinity, and its isotropic phase transition temperature was 241 ° C.

Example 4
Yellow azo dye A2-3 (compound of general formula (II)) having the above structure in 99 parts by mass of chloroform 0.24 parts by mass, magenta azo dye A-46 (compound of general formula (I)) having the following structure 0.33 mass And 0.37 parts by mass of cyanazo dye A3-1 having the following structure (compound of general formula (III)) and 0.06 parts by mass of squarylium dye VI-5 having the structure described above were added after stirring and dissolution, followed by filtration. A chromatic dye composition coating solution was obtained. Next, the coating solution was applied onto an alignment film formed on a glass substrate and rubbed, and then naturally dried at room temperature to produce a polarizing film. As the alignment film, a polyvinyl alcohol alignment film (manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd., trade name: PVA-103) was used. The obtained polarizing film had a dichroic ratio of 42. Moreover, the dichroic dye composition has thermotropic liquid crystallinity, and its isotropic phase transition temperature was 240 ° C.

(Reference Example 1)
The dichroic squarylium dye was changed to a dichroic squarylium dye A having the following structure (maximum absorption wavelength (chloroform solution): 648 nm, molecular length: 25.0 mm, molecular width: 11.2 mm, aspect ratio: 2.23). Except for the above, a light absorption anisotropic film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.
The obtained light absorption anisotropic film showed maximum absorption at a wavelength of 740 nm, and the dichroic ratio was 5. Further, the dichroic dye composition had thermotropic liquid crystallinity, and its isotropic phase transition temperature was 222 ° C.

(Comparative Example 1)
The dichroic dye is a dichroic azo dye No. 1 described in JP-A-11-305036. A light-absorbing anisotropic film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for changing to (6).
Although the composition had nematic liquid crystallinity, crystallization occurred on the alignment film and no anisotropy was exhibited.

Claims (5)

A substrate and at least one dichroic squarylium dye represented by the following general formula (1) on the substrate, the proportion of the liquid crystalline non-coloring low molecular weight compound is 30% by mass or less; and It has a light absorption anisotropic film comprising a dichroic dye composition having a thermotropic liquid crystal, the molecular length of the dichroic squarylium dye is at least 17 Å, molecular width of the dichroic squarylium dye The aspect ratio of the dichroic squarylium dye is 2.3 or more, and the dichroic dye composition has the following general formula (I), the following general formula (II), the following general formula (III Or a dichroic azo dye having a nematic liquid crystal property represented by the following general formula (IV) :
In the formula, A ¹ and A ² each independently represent the following formula A-1.
In the formula, * represents a site bonded to the squarylium skeleton, R ^{a to} R ^e each represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure.
(Wherein R ^{11 to} R ¹⁴ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; L ^11, -N = N -, - CH = N -, - N = CH -, - C (= O) O -, - OC (= O) -, or represents -CH = ^{CH-; a 11} Represents a phenyl group which may have a substituent, a naphthyl group which may have a substituent, or an aromatic heterocyclic group which may have a substituent; B ¹¹ represents a substituent ; Represents a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group which may be present; n represents an integer of 1 to 5, and when n is 2 or more, the plurality of B ¹¹ are the same as each other But it may be different.)
(In the formula, R ²¹ and R ²² each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a substituent represented by -L ²² -Y, provided that at least one represents a group other than a hydrogen atom. ; ^{L 22} is an alkylene group, each of two or more CH ₂ groups that are not one CH ₂ group or adjacent existing in the alkylene group -O -, - COO -, - OCO -, - OCOO—, —NRCOO—, —OCONR—, —CO—, —S—, —SO ₂ —, —NR—, —NRSO ₂ —, or —SO ₂ NR— (R represents a hydrogen atom or a carbon number of 1-4. Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, a halogen atom, or a polymerizable group; and L ²¹ represents an azo group (—N═), respectively. N-), carbonyloxy group -C (= O) O-), oxycarbonyl group (-O-C (= O)-), imino group (-N = CH-), and vinylene group (-C = C-) Dye represents an azo dye residue represented by the following general formula (IIa);
In formula (IIa), * represents a bond to L ²¹ ; X ²¹ represents a hydroxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, an unsubstituted amino group, or a mono- or dialkylamino Ar ²¹ represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring group or an aromatic heterocyclic group each optionally having a substituent; n represents an integer of 1 to 3, and when n is 2 or more, Two Ar ²¹ may be the same as or different from each other. )
(Wherein R ^{31 to} R ³⁵ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R ³⁶ and R ³⁷ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a substituent; Q ³¹ Represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, aromatic heterocyclic group or cyclohexane ring group; L ³¹ represents a divalent linking group; A ³¹ represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom. )
(Wherein R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and may be bonded to each other to form a ring; Ar ⁴ is an optionally substituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon; A group or an aromatic heterocyclic group; R ⁴³ and R ⁴⁴ each represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, and may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring.) The polarizer according to claim 1, wherein the dichroic squarylium dye has at least one maximum absorption in a wavelength region of 550 to 800 nm. Polarizer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in between the light absorption anisotropy film and the substrate, having an alignment film. Display apparatus characterized by including a polarizer according to any one of claims 1-3. At least the following [1] to [3]:
[1] A step of rubbing or irradiating a substrate directly or an alignment film formed on the substrate ;
[2] On the substrate or the alignment film , at least one dichroic squarylium dye represented by the following general formula (1) is contained, and the proportion of the liquid crystalline non-coloring low molecular weight compound is 30% by mass A step of applying a dichroic dye composition having a thermotropic liquid crystal property , wherein the molecular length of the dichroic squarylium dye is at least 17 mm, and the molecular width of the dichroic squarylium dye is 9 mm The dichroic squarylium dye has an aspect ratio of 2.3 or more, and the dichroic dye composition has the following general formula (I), the following general formula (II), or the following general formula (III). Or at least one dichroic azo dye exhibiting nematic liquid crystal properties represented by the following general formula (IV):
[3] Step of orienting the coating film of the dichroic dye composition by drying to form a polarizer :
The manufacturing method of the polarizer of any one of Claims 1-3 which contain these in this order.
In the formula, A ¹ and A ² each independently represent the following formula A-1.
In the formula, * represents a site bonded to the squarylium skeleton, R ^{a to} R ^e each represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and may be bonded to each other to form a ring structure.
(Wherein R ^{11 to} R ¹⁴ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; L ^11, -N = N -, - CH = N -, - N = CH -, - C (= O) O -, - OC (= O) -, or represents -CH = ^{CH-; a 11} Represents a phenyl group which may have a substituent, a naphthyl group which may have a substituent, or an aromatic heterocyclic group which may have a substituent; B ¹¹ represents a substituent ; Represents a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group or a divalent aromatic heterocyclic group which may be present; n represents an integer of 1 to 5, and when n is 2 or more, the plurality of B ¹¹ are the same as each other But it may be different.)
(In the formula, R ²¹ and R ²² each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a substituent represented by -L ²² -Y, provided that at least one represents a group other than a hydrogen atom. ; ^{L 22} is an alkylene group, each of two or more CH ₂ groups that are not one CH ₂ group or adjacent existing in the alkylene group -O -, - COO -, - OCO -, - OCOO—, —NRCOO—, —OCONR—, —CO—, —S—, —SO ₂ —, —NR—, —NRSO ₂ —, or —SO ₂ NR— (R represents a hydrogen atom or a carbon number of 1-4. Y represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, a halogen atom, or a polymerizable group; and L ²¹ represents an azo group (—N═), respectively. N-), carbonyloxy group -C (= O) O-), oxycarbonyl group (-O-C (= O)-), imino group (-N = CH-), and vinylene group (-C = C-) Dye represents an azo dye residue represented by the following general formula (IIa);
In formula (IIa), * represents a bond to L ²¹ ; X ²¹ represents a hydroxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, an unsubstituted amino group, or a mono- or dialkylamino Ar ²¹ represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring group or an aromatic heterocyclic group each optionally having a substituent; n represents an integer of 1 to 3, and when n is 2 or more, Two Ar ²¹ may be the same as or different from each other. )
(Wherein R ^{31 to} R ³⁵ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; R ³⁶ and R ³⁷ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group which may have a substituent; Q ³¹ Represents an optionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, aromatic heterocyclic group or cyclohexane ring group; L ³¹ represents a divalent linking group; A ³¹ represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom. )
(Wherein R ⁴¹ and R ⁴² each represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent, and may be bonded to each other to form a ring; Ar ⁴ is an optionally substituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon; A group or an aromatic heterocyclic group; R ⁴³ and R ⁴⁴ each represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, and may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring.)