Vertical Alignment of Nematic Liquid Crystals Based on Spontaneous Alignment Layer Formation between Silver Nanowire Networks and Nonionic Amphiphiles

The vertical arrangement of nematic liquid crystals (LCs) in displays can be generally achieved by introducing a polyimide material onto indium tin oxide electrodes. However, this method requires multiple coating and deposition processes as well as high curing temperature, restricting the potential applicability to flexible displays. Thus, we herein propose the facile approach for homeotropic alignment of nematic LCs based on spontaneous alignment layer formation between silver nanowire networks and nonionic amphiphiles. The silver nanowires as transparent electrode materials were spin-coated on glass substrate and 4-(4-heptylphenyl)benzoic acids as nonionic amphiphiles were doped into the LC medium. The nonionic amphiphiles were spontaneously bonded to the polyvinylpyrrolidone capping layer of silver nanowire networks through polar interactions, creating the self-assembled alignment layer of nonionic amphiphiles on silver nanowire electrodes. In addition, the alkyl chains of the amphiphiles interacted with the LC molecules, leading to stable directional LC alignment along vertical direction. The electro-optical characteristics of the manufactured LC cell were comparable to those of conventional device including polyimide layer and indium tin oxide electrode. Overall, the combination of silver nanowire electrode and nonionic amphiphiles presents a new way to achieve the vertical alignment of nematic LCs without polyimide layer.