Aligning capabilities of nematic liquid crystal on photopolymer-based N-(phenyl)maleimide homopolymers

The photoalignment material poly [4-fluorocinnamate (phenylmaleimide)] (PFCPMI), was synthesized and the nematic liquid crystal (NLC) alignment effects on the photopolymer surface were studied. The NLC pretilt angle generated using a UV filter-less method on the PFCPMI surface was higher than that of the UV filter method. A good LC alignment with the UV filter-less method was observed at an annealing temperature of 150°C, and the alignment defect of the NLC was observed above annealing temperature of 180°C. Consequently, a high NLC pretilt angle and the good thermal stability of LC alignment using the UV filter-less method on the photopolymer surface can be achieved.