Nanocrystalline LaYSrO films for liquid-crystal alignment via a solution process

The alignment of liquid crystals (LCs) has been widely studied to enable their use in high-quality displays. In addition to the deposition of an alignment layer, an alignment process to orient the LCs is also required. To accomplish self-alignment and to simplify the fabrication process, many alternatives have been proposed, including the doping of nanoparticles or organic/inorganic composites into LCs or the use of special treatments, such as ultra-violet (UV) irradiation or imprinting. However, an additional treatment is required to achieve proper LC orientation. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of an aligned LaYSrO (LYSO) via a solution process. Using this technique, we have generated a simple manufacturing method that eliminates the alignment process, and we have found that the quality of the LC cell is comparable to that of polyimide-rubbed films. The mechanisms of the film formation and the LC alignment were elucidated with a nanocrystalline LYSO film. In comparison with LCs, the nanocrystal is sufficiently large so that order in the LCs is induced along the direction of the nanocrystal. This approach allows for the fabrication of LC displays that meet specific goals such as high performance with a simple fabrication process.