Study by Polarization Modulation Infrared Spectroscopy of an Oriented PTFE Film and Its Effect on the Organization of a Thin Chiral Smectic Adsorbed Layer

Abstract

PTFE deposited by friction at 300°C is known to align crystals. We have used infrared modulation linear dichroism (MLD) and polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PMIRRAS) to study the PTFE layer itself and coated with a very thin layer of a chiral smectic liquid crystal. From the experimental and simulation results of a spectra we deduce that the PTFE chains are perfectly parallel to the deposition direction. Whatever the thickness of liquid crystal (0.1–100 nm), the organization is very well defined and reproducible. We give the angles of the main vibrations of the liquid crystalline molecules with the PTFE chains and with the plane of the substrate. The liquid crystal can be considered as quasi-epitaxied on the PTFE-oriented chains.

Acknowledgments