Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology. Section A. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Vol.350, 43-49, 2000
Azimuthal anchoring properties of nematic liquid crystal on non-rubbed polyimide surfaces
The study on the wetting properties of a liquid crystal (LC) on two types of polyimide (PI) films has been done for clarifying the azimuthal surface anchoring properties of LC adsorbed on the films. The results show that the PI showing high wettability of a LC phase gives a higher azimuthal anchoring energy and less temperature dependence of the anchoring energy than the Pi with low wettability. We also show that long exposure of a LC phase to PI surfaces: leads to a strong adsorption state of LC molecules. indicating the importance of the wetting properties to realize thermal-stable (strong azimuthal anchoring) surface LC alignment.