Surface structures of hybrid aligned liquid crystal network coatings containing reverse tilt domains

Greta Babakhanova, Albert P.H.J. Schenning, Dirk J. Broer, Oleg D. Lavrentovich

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Controlled shape changes of polymerized liquid crystalline coatings is often achieved via prepatterning the molecular orientation of liquid crystal (LC) monomers at the stage of preparation. In this work, using the so-called hybrid alignment of the LC, we produce surface structures of positive Gaussian curvature of coatings without complex techniques such as photoalignment. A mixture of LC monomers coated onto a glass plate with planar alignment of the director is exposed to air, which promotes vertical alignment. The competing planar and homeotropic boundary conditions result in a) thickness dependent director and b) spontaneous formation of spindle-like regions, limited by disclination loops, that are called the reverse tilt domains (RTDs). The disclination separates different director configurations inside and outside the RTD. The RTDs produce relatively big protrusions (100-600 nm) of the LC network coating. Actuation of the coating by heat increases the amplitude of RTD protrusions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEmerging Liquid Crystal Technologies XIV
EditorsIgor Musevic, Liang-Chy Chien, Byoungho Lee, Dirk J. Broer
Place of PublicationBellingham
PublisherSPIE
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781510625242
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019
EventEmerging Liquid Crystal Technologies XIV 2019 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 3 Feb 20195 Feb 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
Volume10941

Conference

ConferenceEmerging Liquid Crystal Technologies XIV 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period3/02/195/02/19

Keywords

  • Liquid crystal network coatings
  • reverse tilt domains
  • stimuli-responsive materials
  • surface topography

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