Liquid crystal composition, production thereof, and liquid crystal element made therewith

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a liquid crystal composition which has a low viscosity and exhibits a high response speed while keeping the characteristic properties (e.g., orientation and switching performance) required of liquid crystal materials, a liquid crystal element based on said liquid crystal composition, and a process for producing said liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition contains a clathrate compound of liquid crystal molecules with cyclodextrin or a derivative thereof. The clathrate compound functions to increase the free volume of liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal composition is prepared by dissolving in a solvent a liquid crystal and cyclodextrin (or a derivative thereof), thereby forming a clathrate compound and adding this clathrate compound to a base liquid crystal material.

Description: 1. Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal composition (suitable for liquid crystal display elements), a process for production thereof, and a liquid crystal element (such as a liquid crystal display element) made therewith. 2. Description of the Related Art: Among liquid crystal materials used for liquid crystal display elements is a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) which functions through the switching effect of the chiral smectic C phase (SmC* phase). It is attracting attention recently. The FLC display is characterized by (1) quick response (1000 times as fast as the conventional nematic liquid crystal display), (2) less dependence on the viewing angle, and (3) image's memory function. There is another liquid crystal attracting attention. It is a nematic liquid crystal which functions through the switching effect of the nematic phase (N phase). It is widely used for displays of various modes, such as twisted nematic mode (in-plane mode) with active matrix drive by thin film transistors (TFT), supertwisted nematic mode with simple matrix drive, guest-host mode with a dichroic dye, electrically-controlled birefringence (ECB) mode due to the effect of birefringence, dynamic scattering (DSM) mode, phase transition mode, and polymer dispersion mode. There have hitherto been synthesized a variety of liquid crystal molecules which exhibit the ferroelectric properties. Such liquid crystals (FLC) were designed to reduce the response time (or increase the response speed). A conceivable means to achieve this object is to increase the spontaneous polarization (Ps) and decrease the viscosity in view of the fact that the response time (τ) of FLC is defined by τ = η/ Ps · E , where η is the viscosity of the material, Ps is the spontaneous polarization, and E is the electric field. On the other hand, in the case of nematic liquid crystal, a conceivable means to reduce the response time (or increase the response speed) is to increase the dielectric constant and reduce the viscosity in view of the fact that the response time (τ) of nematic liquid crystal is defined by: τ on = γ · d 2 /ε0ε a (V 2 - V c 2 ) τ off = γ · d 2 /π 2 K where τ on is the rise time, τ off is the breaking time, γ is the viscosity, d is the cell gap, K is the elastic constant, and V c is the threshold voltage. Liquid crystal display systems usually obey the above-mentioned equations as far as their response speed is concerned. However, with increased spontaneous polarization (Ps), they have difficulties with depolarization field that occurs in the liquid crystal display panel or disturbance of molecular orientation due to adsorption of impurity ions in the cell. In addition, increasing the dielectric constant poses problems with adsorption of impurity ions, sticking that occurs in the liquid crystal display panel, and disturbance of molecular orientation. The result is a speed lower than excepted or an insufficient contrast leading to a poor image quality. Because of this, it seems questionable to unduly increase the spontaneous polarization and dielectric constant. One way now under study to decrease the viscosity of FLC and to increase the temperature range of FLC is to use achiral molecules (having no spontaneous polarization) and chiral molecules (having spontaneous polarization) in combination, with the former being as a base material and the latter being as a dopant, instead of using the former alone. (This is referred to as dopant method). In this case, however, the base material dominates in amount (concentration) over the dopant and hence affects the viscosity and temperature range. Despite the foregoing, apparently it is chiral molecules having spontaneous polarization which governs the response of FLC to the electric field and determines the characteristic properties of FLC displays. The above-mentioned equation has been used as a guide to selecting an adequate material from the standpoint of response speed; however, some consider it questionable after the discovery of many systems not conforming to it. In addition, there is no guide to selecting an adequate material from the standpoint of display contrast. Another disadvantage of the FLC element is great dependence on temperature for switching. (This dependence is one order of magnitude greater than that of twisted nematic liquid crystal). This disadvantage must be overcome before the FLC element is put to practical use. The viscosity of liquid crystal decreases with increasing temperature, resulting in the latching pulse width (or the pulse width to produce the memory effect) decreasing and the threshold voltage also decreasing simultaneously. (The threshold voltage depends on the latching pulse width.) Conversely, the viscosity of liquid crystal increases with decreasing temperature, resulting in the latching pulse width increasing and the threshold voltage increasing. It follows therefore that the temperature dependence of threshold voltage can be best avoided by eliminating the temperature dependence of viscosity. This is an effective way of approaching from the standpoint of material. A conventional way to decrease viscosity was by introduction of a fluorine atom to the asymmetric carbon atom of the chiral molecule (as reported by Nohira et al. of Saitamo University). The modification of molecular structure, however, will make it difficult to meet a variety of requirements for display (such as contrast, response speed, bias stability, temperature range, temperature characteristics, and liquid crystal orientation). In the case of nematic crystal liquid, a common way to decrease viscosity is by blending rather than the modification of molecular structure. However, blending still has difficulties in meeting the above-mentioned requirements. A conceivable efficient way of material development is to pick up a material having good properties except for temperature characteristics and response speed and to make improvement on response speed. DE 42 40 821 describes the formation of guest-host compounds. As a guest molecule can be use rod-shaped molecules, that have dipole momentum transverse to their longitudinal axis. No experimental evidence is provided in the cited document. EP 0 429 662 A1 describes a liquid crystal composition comprising at least one cyclic ether compound. Several examples of cyclic ether compounds are mentioned. Only achiral liquid crystals, i.e. only nematic phases, are described. The liquid crystal element should undergo less electrostatic hazards and the liquid crystal composition should have low resistivity. No formation of clathrates is described in this document. EP 0 451 822 A1 describes the use of macrocyclic compounds in ferroelectric liquid crystal mixtures. By the use of macrocyclic compounds a non-uniformity of the director in a state, in which no electrical field is applied, can be overcome. The mixture usually comprises 0.1 to 10 mol-% of the macrocyclic compound. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal composition, a process for production thereof and a liquid crystal element made therewith, said liquid crystal composition being characterized by high response speed (due to low viscosity), low temperature dependence of threshold voltage, and high contrast (with low hysteresis or sticking), without adverse effect on the orientation and switching properties generally required of liquid crystals. A possible parameter that affects the viscosity of a liquid crystal composition is the intermolecular action. Consequently, the object of decreasing the viscosity would be effectively achieved by increasing the free volume (in which molecules move freely). This is supported by the fact that a liquid crystal decreases in viscosity if its molecule has a substituent group (such as fluorine atom) attached to its core in the direction of its short axis, as reported in Asia Display, 1995 Proceedings, p. 65-68. In addition, there is a relationship between viscosity and free volume which is represented by equation below as reported in J. Appl. Phys., 22, 1471(1951), 23,236 (1952). logη=log A + B ( V o / V f ) (where A and B are constants which depend on the individual liquid crystals, V o is the volume occupied by the molecule, and V f is the free volume.) The present inventors studied a variety of substances which, when added to liquid crystals, increase the free volume through formation of a clathrate compound. An example of such substances is cyclodextrin. The results of this study led to the present invention. The gist of the present invention resides in a liquid crystal composition which comprises a liquid crystal compound (in the form of chiral molecules) and a substance (such as cyclodextrin or a derivative thereof) incorporated therein to increase the free volume thereof through clathration therewith. The present inventors found that a liquid crystal compound has its free volume between molecules increased by clathration with a dextrin derivative (which is known to form a clathrate compound with a variety of compounds) and that the increased free volume leads to a decrease in viscosity and a remarkable increase in response time and also to a reduction in hysteresis (sticking) owing to weakened interaction between the liquid crystal molecule and the alignment layer. Clathration of ferroelectric liquid crystal chiral molecules increases their free volume, thereby decreasing their mutual action and hence viscosity. The decreased viscosity leads to a high-speed response. In addition, clathration remarkably decreases the temperature dependence of the threshold voltage and also improves the bias stability required of simple matrix drive (which leads to a higher contrast). According to the present invention, the liquid crystal composition may be produced by dissolving in a solvent a liquid crystal compound and a substance to increase the free volume of the molecule of the liquid crystal compound, thereby forming a desired clathrate compound. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of cyclodextrin and a derivative thereof to form the clathrate compound contained in the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows the structural formulas of chiral liquid crystal molecules. Fig. 3 shows the structural formulas of liquid crystal molecules capable of clathration. Fig. 4 is a schematic representation showing an example of the clathrate compound contained in the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of another clathrate compound contained in the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Fig. 6 shows the structural formula of achiral molecules (as the base material). Fig. 7 shows the phase transition and phase transition temperature of the liquid crystal composition. Fig. 8 is a schematic sectional view of one liquid crystal display element that employs the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. Fig. 9 is a schematic sectional view of another liquid crystal display element that employs the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. Fig. 10 shows the phase transition and phase transition temperature of the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. Fig. 11 is a graph showing the temperature dependence of the latching pulse width of the device employing the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. Fig. 12 is a graph showing the temperature dependence of the latching pulse width of the device employing the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition of another type. Fig. 13 is a graph showing the temperature dependence of the cone angle of the chiral molecule in the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. Fig. 14 is a graph showing the voltage dependence of the light transmittance of the device employing the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition of the present invention. Fig. 15 is a graph showing the voltage dependence of the light transmittance of the device employing a conventional ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. Fig. 16 is a graph showing the temperature dependence of the response time of the device employing the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. Fig. 17 is a graph showing the change in latching pulse width that depends on the amount of the clathrate compound in the same ferroelectric liquid crystal composition as in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a graph showing the change in contrast that depends on the amount of the clathrate compound in the same ferroelectric liquid crystal composition as in Fig. 16. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the present invention, the liquid crystal composition should contain the liquid crystal in the form of clathrate compound with said substance and should be prepared by incorporating the liquid crystal compound with said substance for clathration. According to the present invention, the ferroelectric liquid crystal compound should be composed of chiral molecules and achiral molecules, either or both of them forming a clathrate compound with said substance. Such a liquid crystal compound should be prepared by adding said substance for clathration. The clathrate compound in the present invention should have an alkyl chain which is longer (along the long axis of the liquid crystal molecule) than the molecule (along its long axis) of said substance. Clathration should take place in such a manner that the alkyl chain projects from one opening of the clathrating lattice of said substance and at least part of the aromatic rings of the liquid crystal molecule overlaps with the other opening of the clathrating lattice. To form said clathrate compound, it is desirable to add at least one kind selected from the group consisting of cyclodextrins, crown ethers, cyclophanes, and derivatives thereof. The clathrate compound should usually be contained in an amount of 0.1-50 wt%. With an excessively small content, it does not produce the effect of increasing the free volume; with an excessively large content, it has an adverse effect on the performance of the liquid crystal composition. With incorporation with said substance to increase the free volume of constituent molecules, the liquid crystal composition of the present invention can be used to form a liquid crystal element (such as FLC display), in which it is disposed between a pair of opposing substrates a certain gap apart, each substrate having an electrode layer and an aligning layer formed consecutively thereon. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention will be described in more detail by reference to an example in which cyclodextrin is used for clathration. Cyclodextrin has a molecular structure resembling a truncated cone with open ends. It is a cyclic compound consisting of glucopyranose rings which form a hydrophobic cavity, as shown in Fig. 1A. It is called α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, or δ-cyclodextrin in correspondence to 6,7,8, or 9 glucopyranose rings. Table 1 below shows the physical properties of these cyclodextrins. Physical properties of cyclodextrins α-cyclodextrin β-cyclodextrin γ-cyclodextrin δ-cyclodextrin Number of glucose groups 6 7 8 9 Molecular weight (calculated) 972 1135 1297 1459 Water solubility (g/100 ml) 14.5 1.85 23.2 readily soluble Angle of rotation [α] 25 / D 150.5±0.5 162.5±0.5 177.4±0.5 191±3 Size of cavity (Å) Inside dia. 4.5 ∼7.0 ∼8.5 - Depth 6.7 ∼7.0 ∼7.0 - In the present invention, the cyclodextrins' disadvantage of being poor in water solubility is overcome by the use of partly methylated β-cyclodextrin (PMCD) shown in Fig. 1B which is available from Sanraku Co., Ltd. This cyclodextrin derivative is suitable because of its high solubility as shown in Table 2 below. Physical and chemical properties of β-cyclodextrin and methylated β-cyclodextrins PMCD β-CD Dimethyl β-CD Trimethyl β-CD Rate of methylation (%) 69.9 0 66.7 100 Specific rotation [α] 25 / D (C = 1, H 2 O) +160.0 +162.5 +160.0 +158.0 Water solubility (g/100 ml. 25°C) 165 1.85 55 30 Surface tension (dyne/cm, 20°C) 58.8 67.8 61.0 55.9 It is necessary that the liquid crystal molecule to be clathrated have a functional group that fits in the cavity of cyclodextrin. A desirable structure of the liquid crystal molecule is a rod-like one as shown in Fig. 2 (chiral molecules) or Fig. 3 (twist nematic liquid crystal molecules), rather than the one in which substituent groups extends in the direction of the short axis of the molecule. In other words, this structure is free of groups (such as fluorine atoms) which cause steric hindrance but possesses lipophilic groups highly compatible with cyclodextrin. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecule of this structure readily forms the clathrate compound. Fig. 4A and Fig. 5 schematically show two examples of the clathrate compound pertaining to the present invention. Each consists of a chiral molecule (C 8 LPS) or a phenylpyrimidine molecule held in the cavity of partly methylated β-cyclodextrin (PMCD). In both cases, the liquid crystal molecule should have an alkyl chain longer than PMCD (along the long axis of the molecule) and clathration should take place such that the alkyl chain projects from one opening of the clathrating lattice and the aromatic ring (or phenyl group) of the molecule overlaps at least partly with the other opening of the clathrating lattice. In this way a liquid crystal molecule and PMCD form a clathrate compound which has a low viscosity and hence moves or rotates easily as a whole at the time of switching. With an alkyl chain shorter than the clathrating lattice or with an aromatic ring not overlapping with the clathrating lattice, it is difficult to lower viscosity as desired because the liquid crystal molecule easily slips off from PMCD. A variety of clathrate compounds can be formed from chiral molecules shown in Fig. 2 and nematic liquid crystal molecules shown in Fig. 3. The incorporation of the above-mentioned clathrate compound results in an increase in distance between liquid crystal molecules (especially distance between the liquid crystal molecule and the clathrate compound) and hence an increase in the free volume of molecules and a decrease in viscosity (at the time of switching). It also reduces the temperature dependence of the characteristic properties. The clathrate compound should be composed of cyclodextrin (as host) and a liquid crystal molecule such as a chiral molecule (as guest) in a molar ratio of from 1:1 to 2:1. Examples with a molar ratio of 1:1 are shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Those with a molar ratio of 2:1 are feasible when the liquid crystal molecule has a terminal alkyl chain which is longer than the remainder. The clathrate compound mentioned above is used to form the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition of the present invention by mixing with achiral molecules (1) and/or (2) as shown in Fig. 6. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention should contain the clathrate compound in an amount of 0.1-50 wt%, preferably 2-30 wt%. With an amount less than 0.1 wt%, the clathrate compound does not produce its effect of increasing the free volume of the molecule. (In the case of FLC, this implies weak spontaneous polarization and low response speeds.) With an amount in excess of 50 wt%, the clathrate compound has an adverse effect on the inherent performance of the liquid crystal composition, resulting in a narrow operating temperature range. The liquid crystal compound containing the clathrate compound in a preferred amount (2-30 wt%) has a response time which is shorter by 10% or more than that without the clathrate compound under the same condition. However, the clathrate compound in excess of 30 wt% lowers the contrast. Presumably, the above-mentioned clathrate compound is easily formed because of the partial methylation of cyclodextrin which decreases the number of hydroxyl groups. The same function as partial methylation may be obtained by the introduction into the cavity of cyclodextrin functional groups compatible with liquid crystal molecules. The same procedure as mentioned above may be used to form clathrate compounds of achiral molecules. The above-mentioned clathrate compound may be formed from not only cyclodextrin and derivatives thereof (mentioned above) but also a variety of substances. Fig. 2 shows some examples of chiral smectic FLC molecules. They are characterized by having two asymmetric carbon atoms and polar groups (such as carbonyl groups responsible for spontaneous polarization) at one side (right side in Fig. 2) of the aromatic groups constituting the core and also having alkoxyl groups at the other side of the aromatic groups. These FLC molecules are those of aromatic compounds (or biphenyls such as C 8 LPS, C 10 LPS, C 10 F, and C 12 LPS) in which the aromatic groups are connected to each other directly or those of aromatic compounds (or esters such as FPB, FFBB, and FNB) in which the aromatic groups are connected to each other through an ester linkage. In the present invention, they may be used alone or in combination with one another. Any other known chiral molecules may also be used. For the FLC molecules to fully exhibit their effect in the present invention, it is desirable to introduce fluorine atoms into the core, thereby preventing them from taking on other high-order smectic phases than smectic A phase and smectic C phase and also increasing the spontaneous polarization due to dipoles (or carbonyl groups in this case). Fig. 6 shows achiral molecules (phenylpyrimidine compounds) to be mixed with the above-mentioned chiral molecules. In addition to them, phenylpyridine compounds and phenylbenzoate compounds can also be used. Despite the absence of asymmetric carbons, these achiral molecules offer upon mixing with chiral molecules the desired ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having a high response speed. Such achiral molecules are composed of a core (consisting of a phenyl group and a pyrimidine group) and alkyl chains attached to both ends thereof. Fig. 8 shows a ferroelectric liquid crystal display element of simple matrix drive type which is made with the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition of the present invention. The display element 1 contains the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition 6 in the liquid crystal cell formed between two opposing plates (laminates 1A and 1B), with their periphery sealed by an adhesive 7. The first laminate 1A is composed of a transparent substrate 2a (such as a glass plate), a transparent electrode layer 3a (such as ITO which is an electrically conductive oxide of tin-doped indium), and an obliquely evaporated SiO layer 4a as an alignment layer to produce a high contrast. Similarly, the second laminate 1B is composed of a substrate 2b, a transparent electrode layer 3b, and an alignment layer 4b. The cell gap d is ensured by interposing particulate spacers 5 between the two laminates. Fig. 9 shows a twisted nematic liquid crystal display element of active matrix drive type which is made with the liquid crystal composition of the present invention. The display element 11 contains the liquid crystal composition 16 in the liquid crystal cell formed between two opposing plates (laminates 11B and 11A), with their periphery sealed by an adhesive (not shown). The first laminate 11B is composed of a transparent substrate 12b (such as a glass plate), a transparent electrode layer 13b (such as ITO which is an electrically conductive oxide of tin-doped indium), and a polyimide layer 14b with rubbing for alignment of liquid crystal molecules. Similarly, the second laminate 11A is composed of a substrate 12a, a transparent electrode layer 13a, a polyimide layer 14a with rubbing for alignment, and a thin film transistor (TFT) 20 for each pixel. The prescribed cell gap is ensured by interposing particulate spacers 15 between the two laminates. The TFT 20 is made up of a gate electrode 21, a gate insulating film 22, an amorphous silicon layer 23, a source region 24, and a drain region 25, and is connected to the transparent electrode layer 13a of each pixel. There is formed an insulating film 26 for passivation between the transistor 20 and the alignment layer 14a. (A storage capacitor is indicated by 30.) The substrate 12a has an insulating film 27 for passivation, a color filter layer 28, and a black matrix 29, which are formed between the substrate and the transparent electrode layer 13. EXAMPLES The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following examples. Example 1 (a) Reagents: A ferroelectric liquid crystal was selected from chiral molecules (such as C 8 LPS and C 10 LPS) shown in Fig. 2. It was blended with two kinds of phenylpyrimidines (1) and (2) shown in Fig. 6 so that the resulting liquid crystal takes on the smectic C* phase in the vicinity of room temperature. Partially methylated β-cyclodextrin (PMCD), commercially available from Sanraku Co., Ltd., was used as such for clathration with chiral molecules in the following manner. (b) Synthesis: The clathrate compound was synthesized in the usual way by dissolving C 8 LPS or C 10 LPS (as a chiral molecule) and PMCD (partially methylated cyclodextrin) separately in acetone to give saturated solutions (0.01 mol/L), mixing the solutions in equal equivalent, allowing the mixture to stand at 5°C for 24 hours for precipitation of colorless transparent needle crystals, and separating and drying the crystals. (c) Identification: The thus obtained clathrate compound was identified by the characteristic properties shown in Table 3. The shift in IR spectrum that occurs as the result of clathration indicates the engagement of the phenyl rings with the clathrate lattice. Chiral molecules without clathration → Chiral molecules with clathration m.p. ΔT = 2°C IR 1013.1 cm -1 (phenyl ring) → 1012.6 cm -1 (phenyl ring) 1500 cm -1 (phenyl ring, singlet) → 1500 cm -1 (phenyl ring, doublet) NMR 1.79 ppm → 1.78 ppm 1.77 ppm → 1.76 ppm (d) Blending: Phenylpyrimidine (a mixture of two species (1) and (2) shown in Fig. 6) was incorporated so that the resulting mixture contains the chiral molecules with clathration or the chiral molecules without clathration in an amount of 5 wt%. In this way there was obtained the desired ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition of three-component system (containing C 10 LPS as the chiral molecule) undergoes phase transition at phase transition temperatures as shown in Fig. 10. It is noted that the system with clathration undergoes phase transition in the same manner as the system without clathration. The phase transition is indicated by Iso (liquid phase) → N* (chiral nematic phase) → SmA (smectic A phase) → SmC* (chiral smectic C phase) → Cr (crystalline phase). Therefore, it apparently meets the requirements of the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition. (e) Evaluation of the device: A ferroelectric liquid crystal element was prepared as specified below. Cell gap: 1.6 µm ITO electrode: 50 nm thick, 100Ω of sheet resistivity, formed by sputtering on a transparent substrate, at a deposition rate of 5Å/sec. SiO alignment layer 600Å thick, formed by oblique evaporation using a known apparatus (EBX-14D), in the antiparallel direction at an angle of 85° with respect to the normal of the substrate so as to ensure the inclined bookshelf structure. (The layer thickness was controlled by means of a quartz film thickness monitor.) The ferroelectric liquid crystal display element prepared as mentioned above was tested for performance in the following manner. (1) Temperature dependence of latching pulse A ferroelectric liquid crystal is characterized by the bistable mode which appears in a reduced cell gap in the process of helix unwinding as the result of its action on the substrate surface. This mode produces the memory effect so long as the product of voltage and pulse width remains almost constant. The minimum pulse width required for this memory effect is called latching pulse width. Figs. 11 and 12 show how C 10 LPS and C 8 LPS respectively vary in the temperature dependence of latching pulse width at different voltages depending on whether they are clathrated or not. In both figures, broken lines denote conventional samples without clathration, and solid lines denote chiral molecules with clathration according to the present invention. It is noted that clathration reduces the latching pulse width at the same voltage applied. The gentler the slope of lines, the smaller the tem- perature dependence. Therefore, it is apparent that clathration reduces the temperature dependence of both C 10 LPS and C 8 LPS. The same result as mentioned above will be obtained if spontaneous polarization depends greatly on temperature in view of the equation of latching pulse below. τ = η/ Ps · E where τ is the response time (equivalent to the latching pulse width), η is the viscosity of the material, Ps is the spontaneous polarization, and E is the electric field. Presumably, the effect of decreasing the temperature dependence (shown in Figs. 11 and 12) which is produced by clath- ration is due mostly to decrease in the change of viscosity with temperature, as is concluded from the fact that the cone angle of chiral molecules changes with temperature (as shown in Fig. 13) but this change is not so great as to support the results shown in Figs. 11 and 12 (which implies that the temperature dependence of layer slope angle is not so great as to greatly change the spontaneous polarization). The decrease in viscosity or the decrease in temperature dependence of viscosity due to clathration may be ascribed to the increase in free volume and the ensuing decrease in intermolecular actions (or decrease in thermal influence of a molecule on its adjacent one). The relation between viscosity and free volume is represented by the equation below (J. Appl. Phys. 22 (1951) 1471, 23 (1952) 236). logη = log A + B ( V o / V f ) where A and B are constants for individual liquids, V o is the volume a molecule occupies, and V f is the free volume. (2) Temperature dependence of threshold voltage The ferroelectric liquid crystal has no established formula for threshold voltage unlike TN liquid crystal. The threshold voltage is a function of viscosity and voltage and hence it depends greatly on temperature as in the case of latching pulse width. Fig. 14 shows the threshold voltage for chiral molecules (C 8 LPS) clathrated with PMCD, and Fig. 15 shows the threshold voltage for chiral molecules (C 8 LPS) without clathration as in the conventional technology. In these figures, "10-90" means the change in transmittance over the range from 10% to 90%, and "0-10" means the change in transmittance over the range from 0% to 10%. The voltage-transmittance curves at 30°C, 40°C, and 45°C suggest that clathration apparently lowers the threshold voltage and also decreases hysteresis (or temperature drift). This means that clathration permits the desired response time (τ) to be achieved at a lower voltage while improving contrast. The stabilized threshold voltage for the liquid crystal with clathration is presumably due to the fact that cyclodextrin completely or largely prevents the alkyl chain of one chiral molecule from entangling with that of adjacent one, so that the chiral molecules rotate comparatively freely, as suggested by the schematic in Fig. 4. It is noted from Fig. 16 that the liquid crystal does not change significantly in the response time (τ), regardless of clathration, in the region where transmittance changes over the range from 0% to 10%, whereas this is not the case for the liquid crystal with clathration in the region where transmittance changes over the range from 10% to 90%. That is, the response time is remarkably short and stable to temperature change. The former case implies that the response time is affected by the anchoring on the substrate surface and the dielectric anisotropy of the molecule, whereas the latter case implies that the response time is greatly affected by viscosity. In other words, the response is improved if viscosity is reduced by clathration. (3) Effect of stabilizing bias voltage It was confirmed that the clathrate compound contributes to stabilizing the bias voltage in non-selective state (which is inevitable in simple matrix drive), as shown in Table 4 below. Effect of stabilizing bias voltage C 8 LPS C 8 LPS/CD C 10 LPS C 10 LPS/CD Contrast without bias 57.6 37 32 52 Contrast with 6:1 bias 8 25 20 41 Ratio of bias stability 0.139 0.676 0.625 0.788 It is noted that C 8 LPS with clathration only slightly decreases in contrast upon application of bias, whereas C 8 LPS without clathration greatly decreases in contrast upon application of bias although the initial value of contrast in the former case is lower than that in the latter case. This suggests that clathration greatly contributes to stability. The samples were also tested for hysteresis. "Hysteresis" is defined as a phenomenon that the transmittance changes depending on how the electric field has been applied. It usually manifests itself as sticking. To measure hysteresis, the transmittance was plotted against the increasing voltage and decreasing voltage, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, and hysteresis was expressed in terms of voltage difference at the 50% transmittance. The results are shown in Table 5. Effect of decreasing hysteresis Temperature at which measurements were carried out Hysteresis of C 8 LPS without clathration Hysteresis of C 8 LPS with clathration 30°C 6.62 V 2.10 V 40°C 2.12 V 0.37 V 45°C 1.62 V 0.07 V It is apparent from Table 5 that the hysteresis width is narrower in the case of clathrate compound. It is concluded from the foregoing that clathration increases the free volume of liquid crystal molecules, which contributes to greater response speed, lower temperature dependence, less hysteresis (sticking), and higher contrast. It was found that the latching pulse width and the contrast vary depending on the amount of clathrated FLC molecules (C 8 LPS) added to the base liquid crystal, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18, respectively. It is noted from Fig. 17 that the clathrate compound does not fully produce its effect (of increasing the free volume of molecules), with the result that the latching pulse width tends to be large, if its amount added to the base material is less than 0.1 wt%. When the amount of the clathrate compound was 0.1 wt%, the resulting liquid crystal composition decreased in pulse width from 820 µsec to 740 µsec. As the amount of the clathrate compound was increased up to 2 wt%, the resulting liquid crystal composition greatly decreased in pulse width by about 40% (from 820 µsec to 500 µsec). That this improvement can be achieved without requiring any special materials and without adversely affecting other characteristic properties (such as temperature characteristics) is of practical advantage. When the amount of the clathrate compound exceeds 50 wt%, the resulting liquid crystal composition greatly decreases in contrast (CR) to 10:1 or less, as shown in Fig. 18. In other words, the liquid crystal composition loses FLC's inherent performance and has a narrow operating temperature range. When the amount of the clathrate compound is less than 50 wt%, the contrast is higher than 10:1; especially when the amount of the clathrate compound is less than 30 wt%, the contrast is higher than 30:1. It is concluded from the foregoing results that the amount of the clathrate compound should be 0.1-50 wt%, preferably 2-30 wt%, for high-speed operation and high contrast. It is to be understood that the foregoing description is a preferred embodiment and various changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the cyclodextrin (or derivatives thereol) used to form the clathrate compound may be replaced by any of crown ethers, cyclophanes, and derivatives thereof or any other compounds that form the desired clathrate compound with the liquid crystal molecule. The liquid crystal composition of the present invention is suitable for display units to display a large amount information densely at a high response speed. Their examples include optoelectronic devices and image processing devices such as spatial light modulators which utilize the ferroelectric liquid crystal elements. [Effect of the invention] The present invention provides a liquid crystal composition which has a high response speed without any adverse effect on its inherent performance, owing to incorporation with a substance to effectively increase the free volume of the constituent molecules. The increased free volume weakens the intermolecular action, thereby decreasing the viscosity which governs the response speed of the liquid crystal.

Claims: Liquid crystal composition comprising liquid crystal molecules and a substance being capable of forming a clathrate compound with said liquid crystal molecules thereby increasing the free volume of the liquid crystal molecules participating in the clathrate compound, wherein the clathrate compound is contained in the liquid crystal composition in an amount of 0,1 wt-% to 50 wt.-% and said liquid crystal is a ferroelectric liquid crystal composed of chiral molecules and achiral molecules, wherein thereby the stability of the bias voltage, the contrast and/or the response speed are increased and/or the voltage hysteresis is decreased for said liquid crystal composition. Liquid crystal composition according to claim 1, wherein the clathrate compound is contained in an amount of 2 wt-% to 30 wt.-%. Liquid crystal composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the molecules of said liquid crystal has an alkyl chain which is longer (along its long axis) than the molecules of said substrate (along its long axis). Liquid crystal composition according to claim 3, wherein said alkyl chain projects from one opening of the clathrate lattice formed by said substance and wherein at least part of the aromatic rings of the liquid crystal molecule overlaps with the other opening of the clathrate lattice. Liquid crystal composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said substance to form the clathrate compound is at least one species selected form the group consisting of cyclodextrines, crown ethers, cyclophanes, and derivatives thereof. A process for producing a liquid crystal composition according to any of claims 1 to 5, said process comprising dissolving in a solvent the constituent molecules of a liquid crystal and a substance to increase their free volume, thereby forming a compound of said constituent molecules with said substance. A liquid crystal element, which comprises a pair of electrodes and a liquid crystal composition according to one of claims 1 to 5 disposed between them.

Inventors: MATSUI ERIKO, YASUDA AKIO, MATSUI, ERIKO, YASUDA, AKIO
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1997
Main classification: C09K19
IPC codes: C09K19