Odd-even Effects on the Surface Anchoring Strength and the Pretilt Angle Generation in NLC on Rubbed Polythiophene Surfaces with Alkyl Chain Lengths

We have investigated that the high pretilt angle of the NLC, 4-n-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB), was observed on rubbed polythiophene (PTP) surfaces with alkyl chains with more than 10 carbon atoms; it is attributed to the surface-excluded volume effect by the alkyl chain lengths between the LCs and the PTP surfaces. Next, we investigated that the odd-even effect of the polar anchoring strength in 5CB on rubbed PTP surfaces with alkyl chain lengths has been successfully evaluated. The anchoring strength of 5CB for rubbed PTP surfaces with odd-number is weak compared with even-number up to the 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain; however, odd-number is strong compared with even-number above 7 carbon atoms. The weak anchoring strength of 5CB is approximately $1\times10^{-3} (J/m^2$) on rubbed PTP surface with 7 carbon atoms; it is relatively strong anchoring strength. Consequently, we conclude that the odd-even effects of the polar anchoring strength in NLCs are strongly related to the characteristics of the polymer and observed clearly for short alkyl chain lengths.