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2‐Naphthoxymethyl‐Substituted Polystyrenes for Homeotropic Liquid‐Crystal Alignment Layers
Author(s) -
Kang Hyo,
Park Jin Seol,
Kang Daeseung,
Lee JongChan
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.200800257
Subject(s) - homeotropic alignment , polystyrene , liquid crystal , polymer chemistry , polymer , materials science , pendant group , chemical engineering , chemistry , composite material , optoelectronics , engineering
A series of 2‐naphthoxymethyl‐substituted polystyrenes (P2NAP) were prepared by the reaction of poly(chloromethylstyrene) with different amounts of 2‐naphthol to investigate the liquid‐crystal (LC) alignment properties of these polymer films. P2NAP with only 2‐naphthoxymethyl side groups (100% conversion of chloromethyl to 2‐naphthoxymethyl) was obtained when 180 mol‐% of naphthol was used in the reaction at 80 °C for 12 h. LC cells fabricated with unrubbed P2NAP films exhibited a homeotropic LC alignment behavior with a pretilt angle of approximately 90°. The homeotropic LC alignment behavior of the unrubbed LC cell of the P2NAP film was ascribed to the head‐on type incorporation of a nonpolar bulky 2‐naphthoxymethyl group into the phenyl side group of the polystyrene.