UV-induced homeotropic orientation of nematic liquid crystals dissolving two species of monomers carrying liquid-crystalline side-chain group and anthracene group

ABSTRACT

We propose the technique for formation of the polymer orientation film (POF) by polymerisation of the monomers being dissolved in the liquid crystal (LC) material for controlling the orientation of the LC molecules. For obtaining the homeotropic orientation, combination of the two monomers, 4-(4ʹ-octyloxy-biphenyl-4-yloxy)-butyl ester (AOBBE) and 2,7-dimethacryloyl-oxy-anthracene (DMAAnth), was found to be useful. The monomer DMAAnth initiates the polymerisation under ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, and the AOBBE unit induces the homeotropic orientation. The monomer DMAAnth is useful for maintaining the high voltage holding ratio and low residual direct-current voltage after UV light exposure because the molecules of DMAAnth do not remain in the LC layer.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Polymer orientation film
• liquid crystals
• homeotropic orientation
• monomers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.