Analysis of polymerization with photo-Fries rearrangement in liquid crystal displays

摘要

Polymer-sustained-alignment liquid crystal display has high potential for low power consumption, fast response, and low level of image sticking. In this study, we clarified the mechanism for a formation of a polymer layer with polymerization of the monomer 2,6-dimethacryloyl-oxy-naphthalene (2,6-DMANaph) without initiators under UV light exposure. Experimental results revealed that the polymerization of 2,6-DMANaph occurred with the generation of radicals from the monomer as reactive intermediates of a photo-Fries rearrangement. It took about 20 min for 0.5 wt. % of the monomer in the LC to convert to the polymer, indicating that the generation of the radicals derived from the reactive intermediates of the photo-Fries rearrangement is effective for the formation of the polymer layer. Voltage holding ratio of the LC cell having the polymer layer formed from the monomer 2,6-DMANaph was over 99%, which was comparably high value.