Nano P(VDF-TrFE) doped polyimide alignment layers for twisted nematic liquid crystal devices

ABSTRACT

The rapid development of consumer electronics and portable devices imposes a great demand for energy efficient information display systems. Among the information display devices, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices stands in the front. The fabrication of energy-efficient LCD systems demands new material and techniques. In this work, the conventional polyimide alignment layer of twisted nematic liquid crystal device (TNLCD) was replaced with ferroelectric polymer nanoparticle doped alignment layer. Morphology of the alignment layer was analysed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The ferroelectric nature of the polymer alignment layer was studied using dynamic contact electrostatic force microscopy (DC-EFM). TNLCD cells are fabricated with this modified alignment layer and the switching characteristics are compared with the conventional TNLCD devices. The TNLCD with modified alignment layer has shown a reduction of 50% in threshold (V_thr) and 47% reduction in saturation voltage (V_sat).

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Alignment layer
• liquid crystal
• ferroelectric
• polymer nanocomposite

Acknowledgments

The author likes to thank ‘back to lab program’, woman scientist division, Kerala state council for science, technology and environment (KSCSTE), Government of Kerala, Ref No. 015/WSD-BLS/2012/CSTE for the financial support and Dr V. Sajith for the technical support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.