Electro-optical performance of liquid crystal device based on Al-doped SnO fabricated by sol-gel process

ABSTRACT

We demonstrated uniform LC alignment on IB-irradiated aluminium tin oxide (AlSnO) by controlling the annealing temperature. Physico-chemical analyses were carried out to determine the surface modification and uniform LC alignment mechanism as a function of the annealing temperature. IB irradiation induced the breakdown of the chemical bonds of AlSnO, preserving its anisotropic characteristics along the direction of IB irradiation, allowing for uniform alignment of the LC molecules on the reformed surface. However, at annealing temperatures under the boiling point of the solvent, residual solvent remained on the surface, thereby prohibiting uniform LC alignment. Moreover, we obtained good optical transmittance in the visual region and good electro-optical performance. Therefore, the IB-irradiated AlSnO film annealed above 200°C exhibited good potential as an alternative candidate for LC display applications.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Aluminum-doped tin oxide
• annealing temperature
• ion beam bombardment
• liquid crystals

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea [Grant No. 2019-11-0042].