High-performance liquid crystal (LC) alignment layers are essential for optimizing the electro-optic properties of advanced display and photonic devices. While conventional rubbing processes are widely used, they face limitations such as physical contact damage and static electricity. In this study, we present a robust non-contact alignment method by transferring one-dimensional nanopatterns onto an ultraviolet-responsive polymer and a BiTiO hybrid film using ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL). The effects of UV curing time (2, 4, and 6 min) on the morphological stability and surface modification of the films were systematically analyzed to verify their performance as LC alignment layers. Our results demonstrate that LC cells fabricated with BiTiO hybrid thin films cured for 4 min achieved superior homogeneous alignment, as confirmed by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and pretilt angle measurements. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that the optimal curing time is critical for the formation of well-defined nanopatterns. Furthermore, the developed films exhibited a high average anchoring energy of 1.9 × 10-4, which is comparable to conventional alignment methods. These findings highlight the potential of nanopatterned hybrid thin films as a highly efficient and stable alternative for next-generation LC alignment applications.

This study explores the fabrication of SiO2 nanopatterned thin films using UV nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) to enhance electrical properties. Optimization of UV irradiation time was critical, with 7 min identified as the optimal duration, ensuring superior nanopattern replication, minimal defects, and improved residual charge characteristics. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed an increase in O1s peak intensity with extended UV exposure, indicating that UV irradiation promotes C-O bond formation, thereby enhancing the material's catalytic activity and electronic properties. Atomic force microscopy provided 2D and 3D imaging, confirming high-fidelity pattern replication, which was further supported by line profile analysis. Additionally, polarized optical microscopy demonstrated uniform liquid crystal alignment on the film, enabling precise light control. These results underscore the potential of SiO2 alignment films fabricated via UV-NIL with a 7-min UV exposure for future display technologies.

In this study, a zinc oxide (ZnO) film doped with silver (Ag) nanoparticles is introduced and utilized as an alignment layer for liquid crystal (LC) molecules. The film was fabricated using a brush-based solution coating process, with Ag doping concentrations controlled at 0, 10, and 20 wt%. The optical transmittance of the Agdoped ZnO films exceeded 82.9 %, demonstrating performance comparable to that of conventionally used indium-tin-oxide-coated glass, indicating their potential applicability in optoelectronic devices. Uniform LC alignment on the Ag-doped ZnO film was confirmed through polarized optical microscopy analysis, exhibiting excellent light controllability. The successful incorporation of Ag into the ZnO film was verified using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed an anisotropic amorphous surface structure, attributed to the unidirectional movement of the brush hairs during coating. Ag doping in the ZnO film enhanced the polar anchoring energy of the LC layer, which is crucial for image stability. This improvement also contributed to a reduction in image sticking effects and a lower residual direct current voltage. Overall, these results demonstrate the feasibility of employing Ag-doped ZnO films as functional components in electronic devices.

Uniform alignment of liquid crystals (LCs) on indium oxide/silver (InO/Ag) composite films is introduced in this work. The films were prepared by a solution-processing method via brush coating, and the Ag concentrations were adjusted to 0, 10, and 20 wt

This study presents the uniform alignment of liquid crystal (LC) molecules on silver (Ag)-doped nickel oxide (NiO) films. The films were fabricated using a solution brush coating process, with Ag doping concentrations of 0, 10, and 20 wt%. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the successful formation of the films, while atomic force microscopy revealed nano/microgroove anisotropic structures, attributed to brush hair movement during coating. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the films’ amorphous nature. Optical transmittance measurements demonstrated their suitability for electronic display applications. Polarized optical microscopy verified uniform LC molecular alignment and effective optical control. The fabricated LC cells exhibited increased LC polar anchoring energy, improving device stability. The polar anchoring energy increased by 1159.02% after Ag doping. Additionally, reduced residual charge was observed, suggesting minimized image sticking. These findings indicate that Ag-doped NiO films are a promising alternative for LC alignment layers in functional LC systems.

Ag-doped ZrO films were fabricated using a brush-based solution-coating process that integrated conventional film formation with alignment layer treatment in a single step. The films were doped with Ag at concentrations of 0, 10, and 20 wt%. Shear stress generated by brush-hair movements induced anisotropic micro- and nanogroove structures on the film surface, facilitating uniform liquid crystal (LC) alignment through geometric constraints. The LC alignment state was confirmed by polarized optical microscopy. The Ag-doped ZrO films exhibited a high polar anchoring energy of 1.82 x 10-3 J m- 2 and minimal hysteresis, indicating a weak image-sticking effect. Additionally, these films demonstrated an optical transmittance of 83.5 %, making them suitable for optoelectronic applications. Overall, Ag doping enhances the functionality of ZrO films as uniform LC alignment layers and broadens their potential for LC device applications.

Graphene oxide (GO)-doped indium gallium yttrium oxide (InGaYO) alignment layers formed by a brush-based solution-coating process are reported in this study. The doping concentrations were adjusted to 0, 5, and 15wt%. The alignment layers obtained thus showed anisotropic micro/nanogroove structures having induced by shear stress originating from the brush-hair movements. This structure enabled uniform and homogeneous liquid crystal (LC) alignment on the film surface with geometric constraints. The alignment state was verified by polarized optical microscopy and pretilt angle analysis. The GO-doped InGaYO alignment layer demonstrated enhanced 1.92 × 10−4 Jm−2 polar anchoring energy of the LCs and reduced hysteresis property, which aid in lower image-sticking effects. The LC device operation was verified with 1.7V in a twisted-nematic LC system along with stable optical transmittance control. From these results, GO doping of the metal-oxide alignment layer shows the potential for functional LC device applications.

In this study, a hybrid thin film was manufactured by doping graphene oxide (GO) into a sol–gel solution of aluminum magnesium oxide (AlMgO) using a brush process. The graphene oxide doping ratios used were 0, 5, and 15 wt

Aluminum–nickel oxide and graphene oxide hybrid films are investigated in this study. The films produced via solution processing were doped with GO at three concentrations: 0, 5, and 15 wt

Hybrid films containing bismuth magnesium oxide (BiMgO) and graphene oxide (GO) are investigated in this study. Solution-processed brush coating is used to fabricate the hybrid films, with the graphene oxide weight ratios adjusted to 0, 5, and 15%. The hybrid films show more stable and higher optical transmittances than the pure BiMgO film. A directional micro/nanogroove structure is observed on the hybrid film surface, which is derived from the shear stress during the brush-coating process; this anisotropic structure is used as a uniform liquid crystal (LC) alignment layer. Uniform and homogeneous LC alignment is then demonstrated via polarized optical microscopy and pretilt angle analyses, along with perfect light-control performance. Enhanced LC polar anchoring energy and hysteresis-free characteristics are observed for the brush-coated hybrid film as the GO-doping concentration is increased. Based on this perspective, the BiMgO-based GO hybrid film achieved via brush coating has potential for applications in next-generation LC systems.

A hybrid thin film was fabricated by doping graphene oxide into a sol-gel solution containing a mixture of zirconium, bismuth, and indium oxide. The thin film was fabricated using a brush coating process. The graphene oxide doping ratios used were 0, 5, and 15 wt%. During the thin film fabrication process, the produced sol-gel solution generates a contractile force due to the shear stress of the brush bristles, resulting in a microgroove structure. This structure was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy analysis, which revealed the clear presence of rGO. Comparing the electrical properties of a zirconium bismuth indium oxide thin film without graphene oxide doping and a thin film doped with 15 wt% graphene oxide, the electro-optical properties were significantly improved with graphene oxide doping. In general, the threshold voltage decreased by approximately 0.42 V. In addition, bandgap measurements confirmed the improved conductivity characteristics with graphene oxide doping. Since this improvement in electro-optical properties is associated with the reduction process due to graphene oxide doping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis was performed to assess the intensity change of each element. Based on these observations, hybrid thin films doped with graphene oxide emerge as promising candidates for next generation thin film.

We investigated the alignment properties of liquid crystals (LC) on a brush-coated composite film made of graphene oxide and zinc oxide (GO-ZnO). The GO-ZnO composites were prepared using a sol-gel solution process, and the resulting solution was brush-coated onto indium tin oxide (ITO) glass. During the annealing process, an anisotropic roughened surface was created; however, the crystallinity analysis of GO-ZnO indicated that the brushed coating did not affect the crystalline structure significantly. The LC molecules exhibited stable alignment characteristics owing to the aligned surface roughness and hydrophilic properties of GO-ZnO, resulting in a homogeneously aligned structure. Residual DC measurements showed similar levels as the conventional rubbed polyimide cells, and a switching voltage of 1.7 V was observed. Brush coating is a cost-effective and simple deposition/alignment process, making it crucial in terms of cost-efficiency and process simplicity.

The brush coating method allows the advantage of being able to produce thin films simply and quickly. This study introduces a method for thin-film production by brushing a solution containing graphene doped in Al2O3 using the sol-gel method. Graphene oxide (GO) is suitable for semiconductors with bandgap values of about 1.7 eV at room temperature, and the characteristics of the thin films were analyzed according to the doping ratio. First, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were obtained to analyze the chemical composition of the thin-film surface. Since graphene is a carbon isomer, the characteristic of oxygen vacancies was confirmed by the increasing C—C bond intensity with increasing GO doping concentration. Thereafter, the surface roughness change was confirmed through atomic force microscopy, and the relationship between surface energy and capacitance was proved through residual dc and anchoring energy analyses. In addition, the electrical properties of the thin film were determined through response-time–transmittance measurements, and the validity of the results was supported through bandgap analysis. Finally, the degree of alignment of liquid-crystal molecules on the film surface was confirmed by polarized optical microscopy and pretilt angle measurements, and the suitability of the thin film for display devices was shown via transmittance measurements.

Herein, we propose a brush-coated zirconium-doped lanthanum oxide (ZrLaO) film as a liquid crystal (LC) alignment layer. The film-curing temperature was adjusted to 70, 150, and 230 degrees C. Polarized optical microscopy and pre-tilt angle analysis confirmed that there was uniform and homogeneous LC alignment on the 230 degrees C cured ZrLaO film. Atomic force microscopy revealed that the surface had a nano/microgroove structure, which was caused by the shear stress generated by the brush-coating process. This structure induced the uniform LC alignment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified that the ZrLaO film was well-formed on a glass substrate. The ZrLaO film displayed hydrophilic characteristics, and its surface energy increased as the film-curing temperature increased. The ZrLaO alignment layer displayed suitable optical transmittance for LC device applications. The ZrLaO layer-based twisted-nematic LC cell exhibited more stable switching properties and better threshold voltage characteristics than conventional polyimide layers. Therefore, we expect that this brush-coated ZrLaO layer will be a suitable LC alignment layer for LC device applications.

Line pattern replication process through nanoimprint lithography (NIL) method has been used in numerous of research fields. NIL technology is not yet utilized for displays industry, and we propose an alignment layer of the sol-gel process using NIL. One-dimensionally nanopatterned by polydimethylsiloxane sheets cause surface changes in hybrid SnGaO thin films mixed in a 3:7 ratio, which aligns the liquid crystals (LCs) uniformly in the line pattern direction. These surface changes are confirmed through atomic force microscopy data analysis, and changes in surface shapes for different the curing temperatures in the furnace are analyzed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the chemical composition of the thin films changes according to curing temperatures, and the intensities of SnO and GaO increase exponentially at 200°C compared to those at 50 °C. Through this, the van der Waals force increases between surface molecules, in the anisotropic direction to help align the LCs. Furthermore, we performed polarized optical microscopy and pre-tilt angle analysis confirm that the LCs are energized uniformly. Finally, the performance of an actual display device transmittance and electro-optical properties; the transmittance of SnGaO is 4.51p% higher than that of the currently commercialized PI-rubbing, and the voltage-transmittance curve is a perfect graph.

Brush-coated graphene oxide (GO)-doped indium magnesium oxide (InMgO) films were produced in this study. The GO concentration was adjusted to 0, 5, and 15 wt%. The hybrid films were constructed using a one-step facile brush-coating process. The formed hybrid film had an oriented anisotropic morphology with a micro/nanogroove structure due to the shear stress induced by the brush hair movement. This anisotropic structure was used as a liquid crystal (LC) alignment layer. Polarized optical microscopy and pretilt angle analysis revealed the presence of a uniform and homogeneous LC alignment on the hybrid film. The film exhibited excellent light control with the LCs, as well as stable and high optical transmittance in the visible region. The GO doping of InMgO increased its polar anchoring energy and decreased its hysteresis characteristics for LC electronic device applications. These results demonstrate the potential of doping metal oxide films with GO and brush coating them for use in next-generation LC devices.

In this study, a hybrid thin film was fabricated by doping graphene oxide in a bismuth tantalum oxide solution in the sol-gel state. The thin film was produced by a brush-coating process. The graphene oxide doping ratios used were 0, 5, and 15 wt %. In the process of producing the thin film, the prepared sol-gel solution generates contraction forces, owing to the shear stress from the bristles of the brush, forming a microgroove structure. This structure was confirmed through atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy analyses. As a result of line profile analysis in atomic force microscopy, the groove heights of the thin film surface at 0, 5, and 15 wt % doping were 110, 130, and 160 nm, respectively, and the width of all grooves was 1 mu m. The width of all thin films was approximately 1 mu m, and microgrooves were confirmed. Moreover, the hybrid thin-film formation was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. By comparing the electrical properties of the bismuth tantalum oxide thin film without graphene oxide doping and the thin film doped with 15 wt % graphene oxide, it was demonstrated that the electro-optical properties increased excellently with graphene oxide doping. Typically, the threshold voltage was reduced by approximately 0.26 V. Based on these observations, graphene oxide doped bismuth tantalum oxide hybrid thin films can be considered as promising candidates for thin-film applications in next-generation displays.

We investigated enhancing the electro-optical properties of thin films by doping them with graphene oxide (GO) following the fabrication of a zirconium strontium tin oxide solution via the sol–gel method. GO was doped into inorganic materials at 0, 5, and 15 wt