Preparation and characterization of a novel polyimide liquid crystal vertical alignment layer

A series of diamines with a side chain containing rigid biphenyl unit and nonpolar alkoxy side end group [4-alkoxy-biphenol-3′,5′-diaminobenzoate] (Cm-BBDA, m = 4, 6, 12) were synthesized and their chemical structures were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). Then three polyimides (PIs) were prepared by copolymerization of pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 4,4′-methylenedianiline (MDA) and Cm-BBDA in N-methyl-2-pyrrolodone (NMP), and chemical structures of all PIs were confirmed by FT-IR. Structural identification of all poly(amic acid)s (PAA) was performed by 1H NMR. Liquid crystal (LC) cells were fabricated using these PIs as the alignment layer for characterization of the alignment properties of LCs. It was found that the planar alignment was obtained when PI with side chain containing alkoxy side end group of 4 carbon atoms was employed and the vertical alignment was observed when alkoxy side end groups of 6 or 12 carbon atoms were included. A uniform vertical alignment was validated by polarizing microscopy. It was testified that LC vertical alignment possessed high thermal stability.