Washing effects on the anchoring energy and surface order parameter on rubbed polymer surfaces containing the trifluoromethyl moiety

Abstract

The washing effects on liquid crystal (LC) alignment capability in a NLC, 4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB), on a rubbed polyimide (PI) surface containing the trifluoromethyl moiety were studied. The extrapolation length d _e of 5CB on the rubbed PI surface decreases with the rubbing strength RS. Also, the large extrapolation length d _e of 5CB for washing with IPA was measured at RS=114 mm. The polar anchoring energy of 5CB on the rubbed PI surface was decreased by the washing process; it increased with the rubbing strength RS on the PI surface. The surface order parameter S _S of 5CB for all the washing processes is smaller than for the non-washing process. Consequently, the polar anchoring energy and surface order parameter S _s in 5CB are largely attributed to washing effects.