Method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer

Abstract

A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: (i) providing a layer on a substrate, the layer comprising a polythiophene according to formula (I): wherein R 1 and R 2 each independently represent hydrogen or a C 1 -C 4 alkyl group or together represent a C 1 -C 4 alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group; and (ii) mechanically rendering the layer liquid crystal aligning; a liquid crystal alignment layer obtainable by the above-mentioned method; a liquid crystal device incorporating the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer; a liquid crystal display comprising the above-mentioned liquid crystal alignment layer or the above-mentioned liquid crystal device; and the use of the polythiophene according to formula (I) for aligning liquid crystals.

1 . A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: 
 i) providing a layer on a substrate, said layer comprising a polythiophene according to formula (I):                           wherein R 1  and R 2  together represent a C 1 -C 4  alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group and n is a whole number greater than 1, and a polyanion;    (ii) mechanically rendering said layer liquid crystal aligning.    
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein said polythiophene according to formula (I) is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene).  
   
   
       3 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein said layer has a surface resistivity lower than 10 5 Ω/□.  
   
   
       18 . A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: 
 (i) providing a layer on a substrate, said layer comprising a polythiophene consisting of monomer units according to formula (I):                           wherein R 1  and R 2  together represent a C 1 -C 4  alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group, and a polyanion;    (ii) mechanically rendering said layer liquid crystal aligning.    
   
   
       19 . A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: 
 (i) providing a layer on a substrate, said layer comprising a polythiophene consisting of monomer units according to formula (I):                           wherein R 1  and R 2  together represent a C 1 -C 4  alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group, and a polyanion;    (ii) mechanically rendering said layer liquid crystal aligning, wherein said layer is provided directly on said substrate.    
   
   
       20 . Method according to  claim 18 , wherein said polythiophene according to formula (I) is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene).  
   
   
       21 . A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: 
 (i) providing a layer on a substrate, said layer comprising a polythiophene consisting of monomer units according to formula (I):                           wherein R 1  and R 2  together represent a C 1 -C 4  alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group, and a polyanion;    (ii) mechanically rendering said layer liquid crystal aligning, wherein said layer has a surface resistivity lower than 10 5 Ω/□.    
   
   
       22 . Method according to  claim 19 , wherein said polythiophene according to formula (I) is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene).  
   
   
       23 . Method according to  claim 19 , wherein said layer has a surface resistivity lower than 10 5 Ω/□.  
   
   
       24 . Method according to  claim 21 , wherein said polythiophene according to formula (I) is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene).  
   
   
       25 . A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: 
 (i) preparing a polythiophene consisting of monomer units according to formula (I):                           wherein R 1  and R 2  together represent a C 1 -C 4  alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group, and a polyanion by oxidatively polymerizing a monomer according to formula (II):                           wherein R 1  and R 2  wherein and are defined as for formula (I) in the presence of a polyacid or salt thereof, which forms said polyanion;    (ii) providing a layer on a substrate, said layer comprising said polythiophene and said polyanion;    (iii) mechanically rendering said layer liquid crystal aligning.    
   
   
       26 . Method according to  claim 25 , wherein said polythiophene according to formula (I) is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene).  
   
   
       27 . Method according to  claim 25 , wherein said layer has a surface resistivity lower than 10 5 Ω/□.  
   
   
       28 . A method of making a liquid crystal alignment layer comprising the steps of: 
 (i) preparing a polythiophene consisting of monomer units according to formula (I):                           wherein R 1  and R 2  together represent a C 1 -C 4  alkylene group or a cycloalkylene group, and a polyanion by oxidatively polymerizing a monomer according to formula (II):                           wherein R 1  and R 2  wherein and are defined as for formula (I) in the presence of a polyacid or salt thereof, which forms said polyanion;    (ii) providing a layer on a substrate, said layer comprising said polythiophene and said polyanion;    (iii) mechanically rendering said layer liquid crystal aligning, wherein said layer is provided directly on said substrate.    
   
   
       29 . Method according to  claim 28  wherein said polythiophene according to formula (I) is poly(3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophene).  
   
   
       30 . Method according to  claim 28  wherein said layer has a surface resistivity lower than 10 5 Ω/□.