Controlling Liquid Crystal Alignment Using Photocleavable Cyanobiphenyl Self-Assembled Monolayers

摘要

We report on the development of novel cyano-biphenyl-based thiolate self-assembled monolayers designed to promote homeotropic alignment of calamine liquid crystals. The molecules developed contain an ortho-nitrobenzyl protected carboxylic acid group that on irradiation by soft UV (365 nm) is cleaved to yield carboxylic acid groups exposed at the surface that promote planar alignment. Using a combination of wetting, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infra red reflection absorption spectroscopy, and ellipsometry we show that high photolysis yields (>90 %) can be achieved and that the patterned SAMs are suitable for the controlled alignment of calaminc liquid crystals. This study further shows that such photo-patterned SAMs can be used to control the formation of focal conic domains (FCDs) in the smectic-A phase in terms of positioning and size confinement on surfaces.