Preparation of liquid crystalline networks having nematic or smectic structure and their optical switching behavior.

Abstract

We reported the photochemical switching behavior of liquid crystalline (LC) networks containing azobenzene molecules that were prepared by polymerization of mixtures of LC mono- and di-acrylates, and azobenzene molecules in a uniaxial molecular orientation. The molecular motion was found to be one of factors influencing on the optical switching behavior. On the other hand, it is expected that there is a difference in the molecular motion between smectic and nematic structures. Therefore, we attempt to control the molecular orientation of the mesogenic molecules in the networks. The effect of the molecular orientation treatment and copolymerization of various types of monomers on the molecular orientation will be discussed.