# In Situ Formation of Compound Eye-like SAN-OSB Composite Microspheres by Melt-Blending Method: Enhancing Multiple-Scattering Effect

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method to create light-diffusing materials with high haze and transmittance using a melt-blending process.

## Contribution

The novel in situ formation of compound eye-like microspheres enhances light scattering with minimal material use.

## Key findings

- PC/SAN-OSB materials achieved 100% haze with only 0.17% OSB content.
- Transmittance remained at 88% despite high haze performance.
- The method reduces OSB usage by 88% compared to traditional PC/OSB systems.

## Abstract

The preparation of novel structures of light-diffusing particles is currently a research focus in the field of light-diffusing materials. This study, conducted by the common melt-blending process, controlled thermodynamic and kinetic factors to distribute smaller-sized organic silica bead (OSB) particles at the interface between a polycarbonate (PC) matrix and spherical island-phase styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) for the in situ formation of compound eye-like microspheres with SAN as “large eyes” and OSBs as “small eyes”. Through the multiple-scattering effects of these compound eye-like microspheres, these light-diffusing materials significantly improved the haze, scattering range, and light-shielding capabilities while maintaining high transmittance. Specifically, the PC/SAN-OSB light-scattering materials achieved a haze of 100% with an OSB content of only 0.17%, maintaining a transmittance of 88%. Compared with the PC/OSB system with the same level of haze, the addition of OSB was reduced by 88%. Therefore, this study achieved exceptionally effective light-diffusing materials through a simple, environmentally friendly, and low-cost preparation method, suitable for the scalable production of light-diffusing materials in new display and lighting fields.