Synthesis of novel soluble rubbing-resistant polyimides used as liquid crystal vertical alignment layers

A novel functional diamine N12, containing triphenylamine moiety, biphenyl, tert-butyl substituents and long alkyl chain, N,N-bis(4-aminophenyl)-p-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-dodecyloxy phenyl) aniline (N12), was synthesised and characterised. A series of polyimides (PIs) were prepared based on 2,2ʹ-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine, 4,4ʹ-oxydiphthalicanhydride and different contents of N12 via a conventional two-step procedure that included a ring-opening polyaddition to gain polyamic acids, followed by chemical cyclodehydration. The chemical structures of the intermediates, diamines and PIs were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All of the PIs were amorphous and exhibited good solubility in both polar aprotic solvents and some low boiling point solvents. PIs containing different content of N12 could induce highly uniform vertical alignment of liquid crystals (LCs). More importantly, PIs derived from N12 showed a good rubbing resistance. Besides, all PI films showed high transmittance in the wavelength range 400–700 nm and good thermal stabilities. Such PIs could be suitable candidates for alignment layers used in the manufacture of high-performance vertical alignment mode LC displays.