Nano structured guest-host surface polymer stabilized liquid crystals

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Surface interactions play paramount role in fundamental and applied physics, chemistry and biology. Particularly important are surface orientational molecular interactions that allow, for example, the alignment of liquid crystals and the operation of corresponding displays. In the present project, we shall investigate the cooperative aspect of orientational molecular interactions at solid-liquid interfaces. Particular efforts will be devoted to the study of the effect of "local enhancement" of optical, electrical and magnetic torques (applied on orientationally ordered molecular systems) by the introduction of photosensitive, ferroelectric or magnetic nano particles and nano rods/tubes. Interactions of those nano particles with organic polymerizable matrices will be investigated before, during and after the polymerization process. The use of photo polymerizable liquid crystals (so called "reactive mesogens") as host should allow us to exploit the nano particle enhanced torque to create spatially non uniform anisotropic surface states and their fixing by polymerization. Such states could enable higher performance display modes (with desired pretilt) or organic solar cells. Thus, in addition to the pure scientific interest (limits of material polarization vs size, local enhancement of orientational correlation, polymerization reduced angular mobility under torque, etc.), the anticipated results should allow the development of a new type of rubbing-free display manufacturing platform, enabling thus the production of flexible, high yield and cost effective displays or other (e.g. photovoltaic) large scale oriented molecular layers.