Photoreactive Polymer for Liquid Crystal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoreactive polymers lack sufficient photoreactivity and interaction with liquid crystal molecules, particularly when exposed to various types of light, limiting their effectiveness in applications such as liquid crystal alignment films.
Innovation Solution
A novel cyclic olefin compound with a photoreactive group, such as cinnamate or chalcone structure, is developed, which can be used to create a photoreactive polymer with enhanced interactions and photoreactivity. This polymer is synthesized through addition or ring-opening polymerization reactions, allowing for improved alignment and stability in liquid crystal alignment films.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing photoreactive polymers are used in alignment films, then the films can provide basic photo-alignment function, but the photoreactivity is insufficient and interaction with liquid crystal molecules is weak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining photoreactive groups (cinnamate, chalcone) with cyclic olefin structures in a single polymer molecule. This composite structure enables both high photoreactivity and strong interaction with liquid crystal molecules, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific photoreactive functional groups (cinnamate, chalcone) at localized positions on the polymer chain while maintaining the cyclic olefin backbone. This local quality enhancement allows the polymer to exhibit superior photoreactivity and molecular interaction without compromising overall structural stability.
2Productivity
If photoreactive polymers are designed for high photoreactivity to various light types, then photo-alignment effectiveness improves, but the complexity of achieving broad-spectrum responsiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs photoreactive polymers with multiple photoreactive groups (cinnamate, chalcone) that can respond to various wavelengths of light. This multi-functionality enables a single polymer structure to achieve broad-spectrum photoreactivity and high photo-alignment effectiveness without requiring multiple different polymer types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the structural parameters of the photoreactive groups (conjugation length, substituent types) to optimize photoreactivity across different light wavelengths. By changing these parameters, the polymer achieves high productivity for photo-alignment while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional photoreactive polymers are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but thermal stability and alignment stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the polymer structure into distinct functional modules: a stable cyclic olefin backbone (norbornene) for thermal stability and defined photoreactive groups for photo-alignment function. This segmentation allows simple manufacturing of the backbone while enhancing overall thermal and alignment stability through the modular design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting photoreactive polymer exhibits superior photoreactivity and interaction with liquid crystal molecules, enabling effective photo-alignment and thermal stability, and can be tailored for different light wavelengths, enhancing the performance of liquid crystal alignment films and display devices.
Implementation Method 1
the functional groups (photoreactors) of a defined photoreactive polymer causes photoreactions by a linearly polarized UV exposure
Implementation Method 2
during which the polymer main chain is aligned in a defined direction, bringing about liquid crystal alignment
Implementation Method 3
exposing the coating layer to light to cause the photodimerization reaction of the structural unit and the photopolymerization reaction of the polymerizable maleimide group
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed therein is a novel cyclic olefin compound having a photoreactive group and a novel photoreactive polymer. The cyclic olefin compound is applicable to various photoreactions, such as of liquid crystal alignment films and can be preferably used as a precursor of different organic compounds or polymers.