Enhancing Electro-Optical Properties of Liquid Crystal Devices Using SNW-PVDF Alignment Layers

This study focuses on the development and analysis of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) alignment layers enhanced with silver nanowires (SNWs) to improve the electro-optic properties of liquid crystal (LC) devices. Optical characterization using UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that all SNW-PVDF films maintained high transmittance (~85–86%), suitable for display applications. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed stable surface morphology with no significant disruptions from SNW inclusion. Electro-optic analysis revealed a reduction in threshold voltage and improved response times, particularly for films with lower SNW concentrations. Finite element method (FEM) simulations highlighted the mechanism by which SNWs enhance local electric fields (~1.5×) near alignment layers, facilitating faster LC driving. Additionally, SNWs mitigated hysteresis effects observed in the voltage-capacitance curves, contributing to device stability. These findings demonstrate that SNW-PVDF alignment layers provide an effective pathway for enhancing LC device performance, offering advancements for electro-optic applications.