Abstract
We developed an inorganic-organic hybrid thin film via the sol-gel method for a new liquid crystal alignment layer and investigated the influence of an organic species on the alignment characteristics of the liquid crystals (LCs). A thin film of methyl-doped amorphous silicon oxide (a-SiO x:CH 3) was fabricated from the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of the initial precursors of methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) at a proper ratio. A low-energy ion beam (IB) treatment gives rise to the homogeneous alignment of LC in an IB condition on a-SiO x:CH 3 thin film; however, it is difficult to control the LC alignment on a-SiO x thin film derived only from TEOS as a precursor. The LC alignment depending on the chemical structure of the silica thin film was investigated and analyzed in terms of the sensitivity of the axis-selective destruction of the chemical bonding on the surface of the thin silica film.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1437-1442 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Soft Matter |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 Feb 7 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Chemistry(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics