Abstract
Alignment order of liquid crystal (LC) molecules at the (polymer/LC) interface was evaluated by comparing nematic-isotropic phase transition temperatures (TNI) at the interface with TNI in the bulk. The thickness dependence of TNI was measured using the LC cell in which an LC thin layer was sandwiched between polymer surfaces without surface treatment. The order of LC molecular alignment at the (polymer/LC) interface increased with surface free energy of the polymer substrate. The surface of crystalline polymer provided higher order of LC molecular alignment. Hydrophobic intermolecular interactions at the (polymer/LC) interface may be more responsible for increase in the interfacial molecular alignment order of LC in comparison with the hydrophilic one.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 160-166 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Polymer Journal |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1999 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Polymers and Plastics
- Materials Chemistry