Horizontally-aligned carbon nanotubes arrays and their interactions with liquid crystal molecules: Physical characteristics and display applications

Authors

Frederick Roussel, Univ Lille Nord de France
Jean-Francois Brun, Universite d’Orleans
Alexandre Allart, Univ Lille Nord de France
Limin Huang, CUNY City College
Stephen O'Brien, CUNY City CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-11-2012

Abstract

We report on the physical characteristics of horizonthally-grown Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (h-al-SWNT) arrays and their potential use as transparent and conducting alignment layer for liquid crystals display devices. Microscopy (SEM and AFM), spectroscopic (Raman) and electrical investigations demonstrate the strong anisotropy of h-al-SWNT arrays. Optical measurements show that h-al-SWNTs are efficient alignment layers for Liquid Crystal (LC) molecules allowing the fabrication of optical wave plates. Interactions between h-al-SWNT arrays and LC molecules are also investigated evidencing the weak azimuthal anchoring energy at the interface, which, in turn, leads to LC devices with a high pretilt angle. The electro-optical reponses of h-al-SWNT/LC cells demonstrate that h-al-SWNT arrays are efficient nanostructured electrodes with potential use for the combined replacement of Indium Tin Oxyde and polymeric alignment layers in conventional displays.

Comments

This article was originally published in AIP Advances, available at doi:10.1063/1.3679155.

This article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.