Surface Effects on 2-Dimensional Anisotropic Phase Separation from Liquid Crystal and Polymer Composites

Abstract

In this work, 2-dimensional phase reparation in lateral direction was obtained without UV irradiation by controlling the degree of surface wetting difference with a patterned alignment layer. The surface condition was spatially modified by laminating several types of alignment materials on the ITO substrate in a periodic square pattern using micro-contact printing method. Experimental results showed surface interactions of LC and polymer with the patterned substrate affect the distribution of LC and polymer after phase separation. The relative wettability of LC and polymer on alignment layer and ITO surface determined the diffusion direction of each material during phase separation.