Effects of polymerization degree of PVA on nematic LC alignment properties

Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films with some of different saponification degrees and polymerization degrees are investigated as a liquid crystal alignment film in the homogeneous cell. An azimuthal anchoring energy increases with the polymerization degree. The glass transition temperature also influences the anchoring energy. Thermal stability of the surface memory alignment on the PVA with high polymerization degree is higher than that with low polymerization degree.