Submitted Abstract
Aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) networks can be multifunctional layers for liquid crystals (LCs) providing the functions of aligning layers as well as of transparent conductors thus they can be implemented in configurations for the electro-optic switching of LCs. The switching performance of the liquid crystal result improved by the presence of coated carbon nanotube surfaces. A remarkable finding is the reduction of relaxation time of LC molecules and its independence on film thickness. Formation of electric fields from charges at interfaces of CNTs and substrates has been reported for single carbon nanotube devices and indeed similar effects should be considered when the tubes form networks. We aim here to explore various material combinations for understanding the material characteristics influencing the phenomenon, study the molecular anchoring of LC at the interfaces since it influences the switching behaviour and monitor LC orientation under deformations for understanding the coupling between electrodes and LC for elucidating the interfacial contributions in the molecular reorientation of the LC.