Ion-beam-irradiated CYTOP-transferred graphene for liquid crystal cells

The twisted nematic liquid crystal cell was developed by using a CYTOP-transferred graphene sheet as an electrode and an alignment layer. A graphene layer was synthesized by chemical vapor deposition and transferred onto a plastic substrate using a fluoropolymer known as CYTOP. As the ion-beam treatment time increased, the sheet resistance increased from 500 to 1100 Ω/sq., while the water contact angle decreased from 110.5° to 69.7°. The increased intensities of the D and G′ bands and the appearance of D + D″ and D + G′ bands in the Raman spectra indicated the formation of defects because of the ion-beam treatment. An ion-beam exposure time of 15 s was found to be the most effective for the production of CYTOP-transferred graphene and for achieving high contrast in operating cells. The ion beam detached F from the CYTOP-transferred graphene layer, and the resulting exposure of the C=C bond on the graphene surface affected the alignment of liquid crystal molecules. Based on these results, the technique described here has applications in novel, high-performance liquid crystal displays that do not require indium-tin-oxide electrodes and polyimide alignment layers. Sheets synthesized by chemical vapor deposition were transferred and simultaneously doped using fluoropolymer supporting layers. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]