Block copolymer thin films of DL-amino acids and alkylene oxide as alignment films for ferroelectric liquid crystals

ABA block copolymers of DL-amino acids and alkylene oxide were studied as a lignment films for ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC). When the equal amou nt of D-NCA (N-carboxyamino acid anhydride) and L-NCA was mixed at first an d polymerized as an ABA block copolymer with alpha-(3-aminopropyl)-omega-am inoethylpoly (oxyethylene) [poly (ethylene oxide) diamine], uniform alignme nt of FLC was observed on the copolymer. When D-NCA and L-NCA were added on e by one, uniform alignment of FLC was not observed. Furthermore, block cop olymer of DL-gamma-methyl glutamate and alkyleneoxide aligned FLC normal to the rubbing direction of the thin film. In the case of block copolymer of ethylene oxide and DL-leucine, FLC was aligned in parallel to the rubbing d irection.