阅读说明：本技术 偏光板及包括其的光学显示装置 (Polarizing plate and optical display device comprising same ) 是由 具埈谟 金奉春 柳政勋 李相钦 申东允 于 2020-03-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种偏光板及一种包括其的光学显示装置。所述偏光板包括：偏光器；第一延迟层；以及第二延迟层,第一延迟层及第二延迟层依序积层在偏光器的下表面上,其中第一延迟层具有约1至约1.03的短波长色散、约0.98至约1的长波长色散及在约550纳米的波长下约220纳米至约270纳米的面内延迟,第二延迟层具有约1至约1.1的短波长色散、约0.96至约1的长波长色散及在约550纳米的波长下约80纳米至约130纳米的面内延迟,且第二延迟层在约550纳米的波长下的面外延迟(Rth,单位：纳米)与第二延迟层的厚度(d,单位：微米)的比率(Rth/d)介于约-33纳米/微米至约-15纳米/微米的范围内。(A polarizing plate and an optical display device including the same. The polarizing plate includes: a polarizer; a first retardation layer; and a second retardation layer, the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer being sequentially laminated on the lower surface of the polarizer, wherein the first retardation layer has a short wavelength dispersion of about 1 to about 1.03, a long wavelength dispersion of about 0.98 to about 1, and an in-plane retardation of about 220 nm to about 270 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm, the second retardation layer has a short wavelength dispersion of about 1 to about 1.1, a long wavelength dispersion of about 0.96 to about 1, and an in-plane retardation of about 80 nm to about 130 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm, and a ratio (Rth/d) of an out-of-plane retardation (Rth, unit: nm) of the second retardation layer at a wavelength of about 550 nm to a thickness (d, unit: μm) of the second retardation layer is in a range of about-33 nm/μm to about-15 nm/μm.)

1. A polarizing plate comprising:

a polarizer; a first retardation layer; and a second retardation layer, the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer being laminated in order on a lower surface of the polarizer,

wherein the first retardation layer has a short wavelength dispersion of about 1 to about 1.03, a long wavelength dispersion of about 0.98 to about 1, and an in-plane retardation of about 220 nm to about 270 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm,

the second retardation layer has a short wavelength dispersion of about 1 to about 1.1, a long wavelength dispersion of about 0.96 to about 1, and an in-plane retardation of about 80 nm to about 130 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm, and

a ratio of out-of-plane retardation (Rth, units: nm) of the second retardation layer at a wavelength of about 550 nm to a thickness (d, units: micron) of the second retardation layer (Rth/d) is in a range of about-33 nm/micron to about-15 nm/micron.

2. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein the first retardation layer is an obliquely stretched film and the second retardation layer is an obliquely stretched coating.

3. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein the second retardation layer is formed directly on the first retardation layer.

4. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein the slow axis of the first retardation layer is disposed at an angle of about +65 ° to about +75 ° or about-65 ° to about-75 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizer.

5. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein the second retardation layer has an out-of-plane retardation of about-200 nm to about-100 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm.

6. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein the second retardation layer has a thickness of about 2 microns to about 8 microns.

7. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein an angle defined between the slow axis of the first retardation layer and the slow axis of the second retardation layer is in a range of about 58 ° to about 70 °.

8. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the short wavelength dispersion of the second retardation layer to the short wavelength dispersion of the first retardation layer is in a range of about 1 to about 1.08.

9. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein a ratio of long wavelength dispersion of the second retardation layer to long wavelength dispersion of the first retardation layer is in a range of about 0.96 to about 1.

10. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein the first retardation layer has a biaxial degree of about 1 to about 1.4 at a wavelength of about 550 nm, and the second retardation layer has a biaxial degree of about-2 to about 0 at a wavelength of about 550 nm.

11. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein the second retardation layer is a non-liquid crystal layer.

12. The polarizing plate of claim 11, wherein the second retardation layer is formed of a composition for the second retardation layer, the composition comprising at least one selected from the group of a cellulose ester polymer and a styrene polymer, wherein the cellulose ester polymer and the styrene polymer are each independently substituted with at least one selected from the group of halogen, nitro and alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, and halogen-containing functional group.

13. The polarizing plate of claim 12, wherein the laminate of the first and second retardation layers has an out-of-plane retardation variation (Δ Rth) of about 10 nm or less than 10 nm as calculated according to equation 1:

ΔRth＝│Rth(0hr)-Rth(120hr)│，---(1)

(in the equation 1, the first and second equations,

rth (0hr) represents the absolute value (unit: nm) of the initial Rth of the laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer measured at a wavelength of about 550 nm, and Rth (120hr) represents the absolute value (unit: nm) of Rth of the laminate measured at a wavelength of about 550 nm after the laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer is irradiated with light having a wavelength of about 360 nm at a fluence of 720 millijoules per square centimeter for about 120 hours.

14. The polarizing plate of claim 1, wherein the slow axis of the second retardation layer is disposed at an angle of about +6 ° to about +8 ° or about-6 ° to about-8 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizer.

15. The polarizing plate of claim 1, further comprising:

a primer layer formed on a lower surface of the first retardation layer.

16. The polarizing plate of claim 15, wherein the primer layer contains particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of about 1 nm to about 500 nm.

17. The polarizing plate of claim 16, wherein the particles comprise at least one selected from the group of silicon oxide and titanium oxide.

18. The polarizing plate of claim 1, further comprising:

and a protective film laminated on an upper surface of the polarizer.

19. An optical display device comprising the polarizing plate according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a polarizing plate and an optical display device including the same.

Background

The organic light emitting diode display may have poor visibility and contrast (contrast) due to reflection of external light. To solve such a problem, a polarizing plate including a polarizer and a retardation film is used to achieve an antireflection function to prevent leakage of reflected external light.

A typical retardation film is prepared by stretching a non-oriented film in its longitudinal direction or transverse direction to be attached to a polarizer by a roll-to-roll process. However, such typical retardation films result in an increase in the reflectivity of the polarizing plate, and thus are difficult to use due to lack of angle optimization. To solve such a problem by adjusting an angle between the transmission axis of the polarizer and the slow axis of the retardation film, a roll of the retardation film needs to be unwound, tilted at a certain angle, and cut before being attached to the polarizer, thereby causing a great waste of the retardation film. Further, a method of producing a retardation film by stretching a non-oriented film in an oblique direction has been proposed. However, this method has the following problems: thick films are required to meet the target retardation value; and difficulty in controlling the uniformity of thickness across the width of the film.

Recently, with the development of materials for retardation films, a method of preparing a retardation film by coating a base film or any retardation film with liquid crystal or the like has been developed. However, in this method, it is necessary to include an alignment film in the film product in order to align the liquid crystal at a specific angle, thereby causing generation of foreign substances. In addition, such a method has the following problems: high absorption in an Ultraviolet (UV) region due to the composition characteristics of liquid crystal, resulting in deterioration of UV resistance; and a separate adhesive is required due to low adhesion between the base film and the coating layer.

The background art of the present invention is disclosed in korean patent laid-open publication No. 10-2013-0103595 and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

An object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing plate that allows its thickness to be significantly reduced and has significantly low front and side reflectances.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing plate having low front reflectance and side reflectance for all wavelengths.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a polarizing plate having good light resistance.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an optical display device including the polarizing plate.

Means for solving the problems

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a polarizing plate.

1. The polarizing plate includes: a polarizer; a first retardation layer; and a second retardation layer, the first and second retardation layers being sequentially laminated on a lower surface of the polarizer, wherein the first retardation layer has a short wavelength dispersion of about 1 to about 1.03, a long wavelength dispersion of about 0.98 to about 1, and an in-plane retardation of about 220 nm to about 270 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm, the second retardation layer has a short wavelength dispersion of about 1 to about 1.1, a long wavelength dispersion of about 0.96 to about 1, and an in-plane retardation of about 80 nm to about 130 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm, and a ratio (Rth/d) of an out-of-plane retardation (Rth, unit: nm) of the second retardation layer at a wavelength of about 550 nm to a thickness (d, unit: μm) of the second retardation layer is in a range of about-33 nm/μm to about-15 nm/μm.

2. In example 1, the first retardation layer may be an obliquely stretched film, and the second retardation layer may be an obliquely stretched coating layer.

3. In embodiments 1 to 2, the second retardation layer may be directly formed on the first retardation layer.

4. In embodiments 1 to 3, the slow axis of the first retardation layer may be disposed at an angle of about +65 ° to about +75 ° or about-65 ° to about-75 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizer.

5. In examples 1-4, the second retardation layer may have an out-of-plane retardation of about-200 nm to about-100 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm.

6. In embodiments 1 to 5, the second retardation layer may have a thickness of about 2 micrometers to about 8 micrometers.

7. In embodiments 1 to 6, an angle defined between the slow axis of the first retarder layer and the slow axis of the second retarder layer may be in a range of about 58 ° to about 70 °.

8. In embodiments 1 to 7, a ratio of the short-wavelength dispersion of the second retardation layer to the short-wavelength dispersion of the first retardation layer may be in a range of about 1 to about 1.08.

9. In embodiments 1 to 8, a ratio of the long wavelength dispersion of the second retardation layer to the long wavelength dispersion of the first retardation layer may be in a range of about 0.96 to about 1.

10. In examples 1 to 9, the first retardation layer may have a biaxial degree of about 1 to about 1.4 at a wavelength of about 550 nm, and the second retardation layer may have a biaxial degree of about-2 to about 0 at a wavelength of about 550 nm.

11. In embodiments 1 to 10, the second retardation layer may be a non-liquid crystal layer.

12. In examples 1 to 11, the second retardation layer may be formed of a composition for the second retardation layer, the composition including at least one selected from the group of a cellulose ester polymer and a styrene polymer, wherein the cellulose ester polymer and the styrene polymer may each be independently substituted with at least one selected from the group of a halogen, a nitro group, and an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, an alkoxy group, and a halogen-containing functional group.

13. In examples 1 to 12, the laminate of the first and second retardation layers may have an out-of-plane retardation variation (Δ Rth) of about 10 nm or less than 10 nm calculated according to equation 1:

ΔRth＝│Rth(0hr)-Rth(120hr)│，---(1)

wherein Rth (0hr) represents an absolute value (unit: nm) of an initial Rth of the laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer measured at a wavelength of about 550 nm, and Rth (120hr) represents an absolute value (unit: nm) of Rth of the laminate measured at a wavelength of about 550 nm after the laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer is irradiated with light having a wavelength of about 360 nm at a fluence of 720 millijoules per square centimeter for about 120 hours.

14. In embodiments 1 to 13, the slow axis of the second retardation layer may be disposed at an angle of about +6 ° to about +8 ° or about-6 ° to about-8 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizer.

15. In embodiments 1 to 14, the polarizing plate may further include: a primer layer formed on a lower surface of the first retardation layer.

16. In examples 1 to 15, the primer layer may contain particles having an average particle diameter (D50) of about 1 nm to about 500 nm.

17. In embodiments 1 to 16, the particles may include at least one selected from the group of silicon oxide and titanium oxide.

18. In embodiments 1 to 17, the polarizing plate may further include: and a protective film laminated on an upper surface of the polarizer.

19. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an optical display device. The optical display device includes the polarizing plate according to the present invention.

Effects of the invention

The present invention provides a polarizing plate which allows its thickness to be significantly reduced and has significantly low front and side reflectances.

The present invention provides a polarizing plate having low front reflectance and side reflectance for all wavelengths.

The invention provides a polarizing plate with good light resistance.

The invention provides an optical display device comprising the polarizing plate.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a polarizing plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view showing an arrangement relationship among a transmission axis of a polarizer, a slow axis of a first retardation layer, and a slow axis of a second retardation layer in the polarizing plate according to the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can thoroughly understand the present invention. It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms and is not limited to the following embodiments. In the drawings, portions irrelevant to the present description will be omitted for clarity. Throughout this specification, like components will be denoted by like reference numerals. Although the length, thickness, or width of various components may be exaggerated in the drawings for understanding, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto.

Spatially relative terms such as "upper" and "lower" are defined herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, it should be understood that the term "upper surface" may be used interchangeably with the term "lower surface".

Herein, "in-plane retardation (Re)" is represented by equation a, "out-of-plane retardation (Rth)" is represented by equation B, and "biaxial degree (NZ)" is represented by equation C:

< equation A >

Re＝(nx–ny)×d----(A)

< equation B >

Rth＝((nx+ny)/2-nz)×d----(B)

< equation C >

NZ＝(nx-nz)/(nx-ny)----(C)

(where nx, ny, and nz are refractive indices of the optical element in a slow axis direction, a fast axis direction, and a thickness direction of the optical element at the measurement wavelength, respectively, and d is a thickness (unit: nm) of the optical element). In equations a through C, the measurement wavelength may be 450 nanometers, 550 nanometers, or 650 nanometers.

Herein, "short wavelength dispersion" refers to Re (450)/Re (550), and "long wavelength dispersion" refers to Re (650)/Re (550), where Re (450), Re (550), and Re (650) refer to in-plane retardation (Re) of a single retardation layer or a laminate of retardation layers at wavelengths of about 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm, respectively.

As used herein to denote an angle, "+" means counterclockwise about a reference point and "-" means clockwise about a reference point.

The expression "X to Y" used herein to represent a specific numerical range means "greater than or equal to X and less than or equal to Y (X. ltoreq. and. ltoreq. Y)".

The inventors of the present invention manufactured a polarizing plate in which a first retardation layer has an in-plane retardation of about 220 nm to about 270 nm (e.g., 220 nm, 230 nm, 240 nm, 250 nm, 260 nm, or 270 nm) at a wavelength of about 550 nm, a second retardation layer has an in-plane retardation of 80 nm to 130 nm (e.g., 80 nm, 90 nm, 100 nm, 110 nm, 120 nm, or 130 nm) at a wavelength of about 550 nm, the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer being sequentially laminated on a lower surface of a polarizer, wherein the second retardation layer described in detail below is directly formed on the lower surface of the first retardation layer. As a result, the inventors of the present invention completed the present invention based on the following confirmation: the polarizing plate may allow reduction of its thickness, may reduce front and side reflectances for all wavelengths by reducing a wavelength dispersion difference between the first and second retardation layers, and may have improved light resistance.

In the present invention, the second retardation layer is an obliquely stretched retardation film, and the ratio of the out-of-plane retardation (Rth, unit: nm) of the second retardation layer at a wavelength of about 550 nm to the thickness (d, unit: micron) of the second retardation layer (Rth/d) is in the range of about-33 nm/micron to about-15 nm/micron (e.g., -33 nm/micron, -32 nm/micron, -31 nm/micron, -30 nm/micron, -29 nm/micron, -28 nm/micron, -27 nm/micron, -26 nm/micron, -25 nm/micron, -24 nm/micron, -23 nm/micron, -22 nm/micron, a, -21 nm/micron, -20 nm/micron, -19 nm/micron, -18 nm/micron, -17 nm/micron, -16 nm/micron or-15 nm/micron). Further, the second retardation layer is formed of a composition containing at least one selected from the group of cellulose ester polymers and polystyrene polymers, as described below.

Now, a polarizing plate according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 1, the polarizing plate includes: a polarizer (110); a protective film (140) laminated on the upper surface of the polarizer (110); and a first retardation layer (120) and a second retardation layer (130) laminated in this order on the lower surface of the polarizer (110).

The second retardation layer (130) may be formed directly on the first retardation layer (120). Herein, the expression "directly formed" means that no adhesive layer or tie layer is interposed between the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer.

The first retardation layer (120) has positive dispersion properties, and may have a short wavelength dispersion of about 1 to about 1.03 (e.g., 1, 1.01, 1.02, or 1.03), a long wavelength dispersion of about 0.98 to about 1 (e.g., 0.98, 0.99, or 1), and an in-plane retardation of 220 to 270 nanometers at a wavelength of about 550 nanometers. Within these ranges, the first retardation layer may reduce the front reflectance and the side reflectance of the polarizing plate when used in the polarizing plate.

Preferably, the first retardation layer has a short wavelength dispersion of about 1 to about 1.02, a long wavelength dispersion of about 0.99 to about 1 or about 0.995 to about 1, and an in-plane retardation of about 220 nm to about 250 nm at a wavelength of about 550 nm.

In one embodiment, the first retarder layer (120) may have an in-plane retardation of about 220 nm to about 280 nm, specifically about 220 nm to about 278 nm, more specifically about 220 nm to about 257 nm, at a wavelength of about 450 nm and an in-plane retardation of about 210 nm to about 270 nm, specifically about 215 nm to about 267 nm, more specifically about 215 nm to about 250 nm, at a wavelength of about 650 nm. Within these ranges, the desired levels of short wavelength dispersion and long wavelength dispersion of the first retardation layer can be easily achieved.

The first retardation layer (120) may have an out-of-plane retardation of about 110 nm to 200 nm, specifically about 120 nm to about 160 nm, at a wavelength of about 550 nm. In this range, the first retardation layer can reduce the side reflectance.

The first retardation layer (120) may have a biaxial degree of about 1 to about 1.4, specifically about 1 to about 1.3, at a wavelength of about 550 nanometers. In this range, the first retardation layer can reduce the side reflectance.

The first retardation layer (120) may include a film formed of an optically transparent resin. For example, the first retardation layer (120) may include a film formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of: cellulose resins including triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polyester resins including polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and polybutylene naphthalate, cyclic polyolefin resins, polycarbonate resins, polyether sulfone resins, polysulfone resins, polyamide resins, polyimide resins, polyolefin resins, polyarylate resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, and polyvinylidene chloride resins. Preferably, the first retardation layer includes a cyclic polyolefin film to ensure desired levels of short wavelength dispersion and long wavelength dispersion. When used in the polarizing plate according to the present invention, the cyclic polyolefin film can reduce the front-side reflectance of the polarizing plate.

The first retardation layer (120) may have a thickness of about 10 microns to about 60 microns, specifically about 20 microns to about 50 microns. Within this range, the first retardation layer may be used in the polarizing plate.

The first retardation layer (120) can be prepared by stretching a non-oriented film formed of an optically transparent resin, and can be laminated on a polarizer by a subsequent roll-to-roll process to fabricate a polarizing plate, thus allowing for improved handleability.

In one embodiment, the first retardation layer (120) may be a film obtained by obliquely stretching a non-oriented film at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction (machine direction) of the non-oriented film to ensure that the slow axis of the film is oblique with respect to the longitudinal direction of the film. Here, obliquely stretching the non-oriented film may be performed by any typical method known to those skilled in the art.

The slow axis of the first retardation layer may be tilted at an angle of about +65 ° to +75 ° or about-65 ° to-75 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizer. Within this range, the angle formed by the slow axis of the first retardation layer and the slow axis of the second retardation layer may satisfy a predetermined value, thus allowing reduction of both front and side reflectances. Preferably, the slow axis of the first retarder is tilted at an angle of about +68 ° to about +73 °, or about-68 ° to about-73 °, more preferably +69 ° to +72 °, or-69 ° to-72 °, relative to the transmission axis of the polarizer.

Although not shown in fig. 1, the first retardation layer (120) may be adhesively attached to the polarizer (110) via an adhesive layer. Here, the adhesive layer may be formed of, for example, at least one selected from the group of a light curable adhesive and a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), but is not limited thereto.

The first retarder interacts with the second retarder to convert wavelength-dependent linear polarization into circular polarization, thereby increasing the degree of circular polarization, thereby reducing front and side reflectivity. The second retardation layer may be prepared by coating the composition for the second retardation layer onto the first retardation layer to form a coating layer, and then obliquely stretching, as described below. In preparing the obliquely stretched second retardation layer, an angle formed by a slow axis of the second retardation layer and a transmission axis of the polarizer is adjusted to about +6 ° to about +8 ° or about-6 ° to about-8 °.

When the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer have different wavelength dispersion, an increase in the difference in wavelength dispersion between the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer may reduce the degree of wavelength-dependent circular polarization (the degree of converting linear polarization into circular polarization by the two layers), thus resulting in deterioration of antireflection performance. When the second retardation layer is laminated on the first retardation layer without using any adhesive layer or adhesive layer, by allowing the ratio of the out-of-plane retardation of the second retardation layer at a wavelength of about 550 nm to the thickness of the second retardation layer to fall within the range described herein and adjusting the angle between the slow axis of the second retardation layer and the transmission axis of the polarizer to a range of about +6 ° to about +8 ° or about-6 ° to about-8 °, the wavelength-dependent circular polarization degree can be maximized, whereby the wavelength-dependent antireflection efficacy can be significantly improved while the handleability is improved when the polarizing plate is manufactured by a roll-to-roll process.

In one embodiment, a ratio of the short wavelength dispersion of the second retardation layer to the short wavelength dispersion of the first retardation layer (short wavelength dispersion of the second retardation layer/short wavelength dispersion of the first retardation layer) may be in a range of about 1 to 1.08, specifically about 1 to about 1.07, and a ratio of the long wavelength dispersion of the second retardation layer to the long wavelength dispersion of the first retardation layer (long wavelength dispersion of the second retardation layer/long wavelength dispersion of the first retardation layer) may be in a range of about 0.96 to about 1, specifically about 0.97 to about 1. Within these ranges, the wavelength dependent reflectivity can be reduced.

The second retardation layer (130) may include an obliquely stretched coating layer prepared by coating a composition for the second retardation layer onto the lower surface of the first retardation layer and then stretching, as described below. Thus, the second retardation layer may allow for a reduction in the thickness of the polarizer.

In one embodiment, the second retarder layer may have a thickness of about 2 microns to about 8 microns, specifically about 3 microns to about 7 microns, more specifically about 4 microns to about 6 microns. Within this range, the second retarder layer may have a uniform out-of-plane retardation across its width, while allowing for a reduction in the thickness of the polarizer.

As described above, the second retardation layer (130) has an Rth/d value of from about-33 microns/nm to about-15 microns/nm, preferably from about-30 microns/nm to about-15 microns/nm, more preferably from about-30 microns/nm to about-17 microns/nm. Within this range, when the second retardation layer is directly formed on the first retardation layer without using any adhesive layer or adhesive layer, the second retardation layer can increase the lateral circular polarization degree, thereby improving the lateral antireflection performance in combination with the first retardation layer.

Thus, the second retardation layer (130) has a positive dispersion, and may have a short wavelength dispersion of about 1 to about 1.1 and a long wavelength dispersion of about 0.96 to about 1. Within these ranges, the wavelength dispersion difference between the second retardation layer and the first retardation layer can be reduced, thereby increasing the wavelength-dependent circular polarization degree, and thus improving the anti-reflection performance.

The slow axis of the second retardation layer (130) may be tilted at an angle of about +6 ° to about +8 ° or about-6 ° to about-8 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizer. Within this range, even when the second retardation layer is an obliquely stretched retardation film, the angle between the slow axis of the second retardation layer and the slow axis of the first retardation layer may satisfy a predetermined value, and thus the lateral circular polarization degree may be improved, and thus the lateral reflectance may be reduced. Preferably, the slow axis of the second retarder layer (130) is tilted at an angle of +6.5 ° to +7.5 ° or-6.5 ° to-7.5 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizer.

The second retardation layer (130) may have an out-of-plane retardation of about-200 nm to-100 nm, specifically about-150 nm to about-105 nm, at a wavelength of about 550 nm. Within this range, the second retardation layer can increase the lateral circular polarization degree, thereby reducing the lateral reflectance.

In one example, the slow axis of the first retarder layer may be disposed at an angle of about 58 ° to about 70 °, specifically about 60 ° to about 70 °, more specifically about 63 ° to about 67 °, relative to the slow axis of the second retarder layer. Within this range, the degree of front circular polarization can be increased.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating a relationship among a transmission axis of a polarizer, a slow axis of a first retardation layer, and a slow axis of a second retardation layer in a polarizing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 2, the slow axis (120a) of the first retardation layer may form an angle (α 1) of about +65 ° to about +75 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizer, and the slow axis (130a) of the second retardation layer may form an angle (α 2) of about +6 ° to about +8 ° with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizer.

The second retardation layer (130) may have an in-plane retardation of about 80 nm to about 130 nm (e.g., 80 nm, 90 nm, 100 nm, 110 nm, 120 nm, or 130 nm), specifically about 90 nm to 130 nm, at a wavelength of about 550 nm. Within this range, the second retardation layer can be combined with the first retardation layer to improve the antireflection performance.

The second retardation layer (130) may have a biaxial degree of about-2 to about 0, specifically about-1 to about 0, at a wavelength of about 550 nanometers. Within this range, the second retardation layer can increase the lateral circular polarization degree, thereby reducing the lateral reflectivity.

The second retardation layer (130) may have a refractive index of about 1.4 to about 1.6, specifically about 1.45 to about 1.55. Within this range, the refractive index ratio of the second retardation layer to the first retardation layer can be controlled to a desired level, thereby allowing an increase in transparency.

The second retardation layer (130) may be prepared by coating a composition for the second retardation layer to a predetermined thickness on the lower surface of the first retardation layer (120), followed by drying and/or curing to form a coating layer, and obliquely stretching the first retardation layer and the coating layer.

Next, a composition for the second retardation layer will be described.

The second retardation layer may be a non-liquid crystal layer. If the second retardation layer is a liquid crystal layer, the polarizer inevitably requires an alignment film to orient the liquid crystal at a specific angle, thereby causing the generation of foreign substances.

The composition for the second retardation layer is used to form a non-liquid crystal coating layer, and may include at least one selected from the group of cellulose ester polymers and styrene (or polystyrene) polymers, wherein the cellulose ester polymers and the styrene polymers may each independently be substituted with halogen, nitro and alkyl (e.g., C)₁To C₂₀Alkyl), alkenyl (e.g. C)₂To C₂₀Alkenyl), cycloalkyl (e.g. C)₃To C₁₀Cycloalkyl), aryl (e.g. C)₆To C₂₀Aryl), heteroaryl (e.g., C)₃To C₁₀Heteroaryl), alkoxy (e.g., C)₁To C₂₀Alkoxy) and halogen-containing functional groups. The cellulose ester polymer and the styrene polymer may each independently be a monomer, oligomer, or polymer. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms "alkyl," "alkenyl," "cycloalkyl," "aryl," "heteroaryl," and "alkoxy" each refer to a halogen-free functional group.

In the composition for the second retardation layer, the cellulose ester polymer may be used alone or as a mixture thereof, and the styrene polymer may be used alone or as a mixture thereof.

As used herein, the term "halogen" refers to F, Cl, Br or I, preferably F.

Furthermore, the phrase "halogen-containing functional group" refers to an organic functional group that contains at least one halogen, and may include aromatic functional groups, aliphatic functional groups, or cycloaliphatic functional groups. For example, a halogen-containing functional group can refer to a halogen-substituted C₁To C₂₀Alkyl, halogen substituted C₂To C₂₀Alkenyl, halogen substituted C₂To C₂₀Alkynyl, halogen substituted C₃To C₁₀Cycloalkyl, halogen substituted C₁To C₂₀Alkoxy, halogen substituted C₂To C₂₀Acyl, halogen substituted C₆To C₂₀Aryl or halogen substituted C₇To C₂₀Arylalkyl, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the cellulose ester polymer may include at least one selected from the group of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, and cellulose acetate butyrate, but is not limited thereto.

The above-mentioned cellulose ester polymer and styrene polymer used for preparing the second retardation layer may be prepared by any typical method known to those skilled in the art, or may be any suitable commercially available product.

Preferably, the composition for the second retardation layer may comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of a halogen-substituted cellulose ester polymer, a halogen-substituted styrene polymer, a halogen-functional group-substituted cellulose ester polymer, and a halogen-functional group-substituted styrene polymer. In this case, the polarizing plate may have improved light resistance.

In one embodiment, the laminate of the first and second retardation layers may have an out-of-plane retardation variation (Δ Rth) of about 10 nm or less than 10 nm, specifically about 0 nm to 10 nm, calculated according to equation 1, with respect to light resistance:

ΔRth＝│Rth(0hr)-Rth(120hr)│，---(1)

wherein Rth (0hr) represents an absolute value (unit: nm) of an initial Rth of a laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer measured at a wavelength of about 550 nm, and Rth (120hr) represents an absolute value (unit: nm) of Rth of the laminate measured at a wavelength of about 550 nm after the laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer is irradiated with light having a wavelength of about 360 nm at a fluence of 720 millijoules per square centimeter for about 120 hours.

In equation 1, the "laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer" may include not only a laminate in which the second retardation layer is directly formed on the first retardation layer, but also a laminate in which a primer layer and a second retardation layer are sequentially formed on the first retardation layer.

The composition for the second retardation layer may further include at least one additive selected from the group consisting of an anti-blocking agent, an antistatic agent, a colorant such as a pigment, and a dispersant, in addition to the cellulose ester and the styrene polymer, but is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the composition for the second retardation layer may be free of aromatic additives, such as naphthalene benzoate.

The polarizer (110) is used to convert incident natural light or polarized light into linearly polarized light in a specific direction, and may be formed of a polymer film containing a polyvinyl alcohol resin as a main component. Specifically, the polarizer (110) may be prepared by dyeing a polymer film with iodine or a dichroic dye, followed by stretching in a Machine Direction (MD). Specifically, the polarizer may be prepared through a swelling step, a dyeing step, a stretching step, and a crosslinking step.

The polarizer (110) may have a total light transmittance of about 43% or more, such as about 43% to about 50%, and a degree of polarization of about 99% or more, such as about 99% to about 100%. Within these ranges, the polarizer may combine the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer to improve the antireflection performance.

The polarizer (110) may have a thickness of about 2 microns to about 30 microns, specifically about 4 microns to about 25 microns. Within this range, the polarizer may be used in the polarizing plate.

A protective film (140) is formed on the upper surface of the polarizer (110) to protect the polarizer from the external environment and to increase the mechanical strength of the polarizing plate.

The protective film (140) is used to protect the polarizer from the external environment, and may be an optically transparent film, for example, a film formed of at least one resin selected from the group consisting of: cellulose resins including triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polyester resins including polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and polybutylene naphthalate, cyclic polyolefin resins, polycarbonate resins, polyether sulfone resins, polysulfone resins, polyamide resins, polyimide resins, polyolefin resins, polyarylate resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, and polyvinylidene chloride resins. Specifically, the protective film may be a TAC film or a PET film.

The protective film (140) may have a thickness of about 5 to 70 microns, specifically about 15 to 45 microns. Within this range, the protective film may be used in the polarizing plate.

Although not shown in fig. 1, a functional coating layer may be formed on the upper surface of the protective film (140) to provide additional functions to the polarizing plate. For example, the functional coating may include a hard coat layer, an anti-fingerprint layer, and an anti-reflective layer. The functional coatings can be laminated individually or in combination. The protective film (140) may be attached to the polarizer (110) via an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be formed of a water-based or UV curable adhesive, but is not limited thereto.

Next, a polarizing plate according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the polarizing plate according to this embodiment, the polarizer, the first retardation layer, and the second retardation layer may be sequentially laminated on the lower surface of the protective film as described above, and the primer layer may be formed on the lower surface of the first retardation layer. The primer layer is formed directly on the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer. The primer layer directly formed on the lower surface of the first retardation layer allows the second retardation layer to have high adhesion to the first retardation layer and can prevent the first retardation layer from being blocked during a roll-to-roll process, thereby facilitating the formation of a laminate of the first and second retardation layers. In particular, when the first retardation layer is a cyclic polyolefin film (which may be blocked, making it difficult to form the second retardation layer thereon through a roll-to-roll process), forming the primer layer on the first retardation layer may improve the handleability in forming the second retardation layer.

Now, the primer layer will be explained in detail.

The primer layer contains particles. By adjusting the size of the particles in the primer layer, when a laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer is formed, the adhesion of the second retardation layer to the first retardation layer can be improved and the handleability can be improved. In one embodiment, the average particle diameter (D50) of the particles in the primer layer is less than the thickness of the primer layer, and may range, for example, from about 1 to 500 nanometers, specifically from about 100 to 300 nanometers. Within this range, the primer layer may prevent blocking of the first retardation layer and increase adhesion of the second retardation layer to the first retardation layer. The particles may have a spherical or non-spherical shape, but are not limited. Preferably, the particles have a spherical shape. The particles may comprise a material selected from the group consisting of silica (e.g., silica) and titania (e.g., TiO)₂) But is not limited thereto.

The particles can be present in the primer layer in an amount of about 10 wt% to about 50 wt%, specifically about 10 wt% to about 30 wt%. Within this range, the primer layer may prevent the first retardation layer from being blocked while increasing the adhesion between the first and second retardation layers when the first retardation layer is wound onto a roll.

The primer layer may be formed by coating a composition including particles and a curable resin, and then curing. The curable resin may include at least one selected from the group of a thermosetting resin and a photocurable resin, but is not limited thereto. For example, the curable resin may include modified or unmodified olefin resins (such as acrylic resins, vinyl resins, and propylene resins), but is not limited thereto.

The primer layer can have a thickness of about 100 nanometers to about 500 nanometers, specifically about 150 nanometers to about 300 nanometers, which is greater than the average particle diameter of the particles. Within this range, the primer layer may prevent blocking of the first retardation layer, may increase the adhesiveness of the second retardation layer, and may allow reduction in the thickness of the polarizer.

The optical display device according to the present invention may include the polarizing plate according to the embodiment of the present invention, and examples thereof may include an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display and a liquid crystal display.

In one embodiment, an OLED display may include: an OLED panel including a flexible substrate; and a polarizing plate according to the present invention laminated on the OLED panel.

In another embodiment, an OLED display may include: an OLED panel including a non-flexible substrate; and a polarizing plate according to the present invention laminated on the OLED panel.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to some examples. It should be noted, however, that these examples are provided for illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

Example 1

A polyvinyl alcohol film (PS #60, Kuraray co., ltd., Japan, prestretched thickness: 60 μm) was stretched in an aqueous solution of iodine at 55 ℃ to 6 times its original length, thereby preparing a polarizer having a transmittance of 45%.

The first retardation layer (positive dispersion, short wavelength dispersion: 1.005, long wavelength dispersion: 0.995, Re at 550 nm: 220 nm, Rth at 550 nm: 130 nm) was prepared by obliquely stretching a cyclic polyolefin film (ZD film, rhoen Corporation) at an angle of 70 °.

A primer layer prepared by mixing silica particles having an average particle diameter of 300 nm with a mixture of a modified acryl resin and an acrylic resin was formed on the lower surface of the first retardation layer (content of silica particles in the primer layer: 10 wt%, thickness of the primer layer: 500 nm).

A composition for the second retardation layer (including a halogen-containing cellulose acetate polymer) was coated to a predetermined thickness on the lower surface of the primer layer, followed by drying the solvent used, and then the resultant coating was obliquely stretched at a temperature of 140 ℃ by 1.2 times at an angle of +6.5 ° with respect to the MD of the first retardation layer, thereby preparing a laminate in which the second retardation layer having the specification shown in table 1 was formed on the lower surface of the first retardation layer. In the laminate, the first retardation layer had Re of 225 nm, short wavelength dispersion of 1.005 and long wavelength dispersion of 0.995.

Then, a polarizing plate was manufactured by attaching the prepared polarizer and a triacetyl cellulose film as a protective film to the upper surface of the first retardation layer in this order. The values of the angles (angle 1 and angle 2) between the axes of the polarizing plates are shown in table 1.

Examples 2 to 3

A polarizing plate was produced in the same manner as in example 1, except that the retardation, thickness, and chromatic dispersion of the second retardation layer, and angles 1 and 2 were changed as listed in table 1. However, the second retardation layer was formed of the same material as example 1.

Comparative examples 1 to 2

A polarizing plate was produced in the same manner as in example 1, except that the retardation, thickness, and chromatic dispersion of the second retardation layer, and angles 1 and 2 were changed as listed in table 1. However, the second retardation layer was formed of the same material as example 1.

Comparative example 3

A polarizing plate was produced in the same manner as in example 1, except that the wavelength dispersion of the second retardation layer was changed by adding 2-naphthyl benzoate as an additive to the second retardation layer.

The retardation Re, Rth, and NZ of each of the first and second retardation layers were measured using an echoscant polarimeter (AxoMetric co., Ltd.)).

Each of the polarizing plates prepared in examples and comparative examples was evaluated for the following properties. The results are shown in Table 1.

(1) Degree of circular polarization: the degree of circular polarization was measured by forcing light through the polarizing plate from the front (0 °) using an echokarst polarimeter (echomerke ltd, usa). The degree of circular polarization was then measured by forcing light through the polarizer from the side (60 °) while rotating the polarizer through 360 degrees. The measured values of the lateral circular polarization degrees are shown in table 1.

(2) Reflectance (unit:%): the reflectance was measured using an goniometer (DMS803, japan Instrument Systems inc., Konica Minolta group)). After measurement with respect to the whiteboard provided to the goniometer, brightness and contrast were measured using the angular sweep function. Each of the polarizing plates prepared in examples and comparative examples was attached to a panel (glass substrate) via a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and then the front-side reflectance and the side-side reflectance of the polarizing plate were measured. Here, θ was measured at intervals of 5 °, and the reflectance was determined by obtaining spectral transmittance/reflectance (SCE) values of light incident from the front (0 °) and the side (60 °).

(3) Light resistance (unit: nm): the laminated body of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer (including the primer layer between the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer) was separated from each of the polarizing plates prepared in examples and comparative examples, and then evaluated for light resistance. Specifically, Rth of the laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer was measured at a wavelength of 550 nm using an echoscandint polarimeter (echomage ltd). Then, after the laminate was irradiated with UVA (wavelength: 360 nm) from the side of the second retardation layer at a fluence of 720 mJ/cm for 120 hours using an exposure machine (Q-SUN Xe-1 type, Q-LAB Co., Ltd.), the Rth of the laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer was measured at a wavelength of 550 nm in the same manner as described above. The out-of-plane retardation change (Δ Rth) is calculated according to equation 1:

ΔRth＝│Rth(0hr)-Rth(120hr)│，---(1)

wherein Rth (0hr) represents an absolute value (unit: nm) of an initial Rth of a laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer measured at a wavelength of about 550 nm, and Rth (120hr) represents an absolute value (unit: nm) of Rth of the laminate measured at a wavelength of about 550 nm after the laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer is irradiated with light having a wavelength of about 360 nm at a fluence of 720 millijoules per square centimeter for about 120 hours.

(4) Separation: the separation of the second retarder from the first retarder was evaluated. First, 10 vertical lines and 10 horizontal lines were drawn on the laminate of the first retardation layer and the second retardation layer separated from each of the polarizing plates fabricated in examples and comparative examples to divide the laminate into 100 pieces in total. An adhesive tape was attached to the second retardation layer, and then whether the second retardation layer was separated from the laminate was observed when the adhesive tape was peeled off from the second retardation layer. When the sheet without the second retardation layer was separated from the laminate, the corresponding sample was rated as good (OK), and when any sheet was separated from the laminate, the corresponding sample was rated as bad (NG).

TABLE 1

Angle 1: the angle formed by the slow axis of the first retardation layer and the transmission axis of the polarizer.

Angle 2: the angle formed by the slow axis of the second retarder and the transmission axis of the polarizer.

As shown in table 1, the polarizing plate according to the present invention has a significantly low front reflectance of less than 1% and a significantly low side reflectance of less than 5%, specifically 4% or less than 4%, exhibits good light resistance, and does not undergo separation of the second retardation layer from the first retardation layer.

In contrast, the polarizing plates of comparative examples 1 and 2 in which Rth/d values were out of the range according to the present invention and the polarizing plate of comparative example 3 in which the chromatic dispersion value and Rth/d values of the second retardation layer were out of the range according to the present invention had much higher front reflectance and side reflectance than the polarizing plate of the example, and underwent separation of the second retardation layer from the first retardation layer. In addition, the polarizing plate of comparative example 3 exhibited poor light resistance.

It is to be understood that various modifications, alterations, adaptations, and equivalent embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.