Liquid Crystal Alignment on Polyurethane Layer Treated by Ion Beam Irradiation with Low Power Intensity

The characteristics of ion beam (IB)-irradiated polyurethane (PU) alignment layer fabricated for use as liquid crystal (LC) alignment layer were investigated. Even at a low IB intensity of 600 eV, uniform LC alignment was achieved. The LC alignment on the IB-irradiated PU surface was attributed to surface polarities compared to C-C bonds in the PU substrate; hence, the van der Waals interactions between LC molecules and the PU surface were increased, thereby maintaining a good balance for homogeneous alignment. The LC cells based on PU irradiated with low intensity IB show potential for application as an alternative alignment layer in new LCD products. (C) 2018 The Electrochemical Society.