Spatial and temporal patterning of polymers in electric field responsive LC templates

Abstract

Controlling the spatial and temporal organization of functional polymers is essential for the development of switchable soft-matter based electro-optical devices. By using a combination of a liquid crystal template, a photopatternable substrate (for spatial control) and electric fields (for dynamically switching) we show that we are able to dynamically control the spatial organization of polymers across multiple length scales (conveyed through the patterned liquid crystal template). The polymer that we organize is an azobenzene-functionalized polyisocyanide, whose stiff polymeric helix and laterally attached pendant azobenzene units induce tangential anchoring to the liquid crystal host. Due to the donor–acceptor functionalized azobenzene units, the polymeric material is strongly absorbing in the visible range for characterization purposes. We find that polymers align locally to the liquid crystal director field and reversibly change its orientation by the application of an electric field. Since this hybrid technique can be easily applied to other functional polymeric materials and relies on simple techniques, such as spincoating, photoalignment and electric fields, we believe it has great potential for the development of a wide range of switchable electro-optical devices.