| abstract |
Disclosed is a polymerizable liquid crystal composition which comprises a compound having a repeat unit represented by the general formula (I) and having a weight average molecular weight of 100 or greater : (I) wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, provided that one or more hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon group may be independently substituted by a halogen atom. The polymerizable liquid crystal composition can decrease a tilt angle at an air interface, and therefore is useful as an optically anisotropic material showing a horizontal orientation at an air interface. Further, the polymerizable liquid crystal composition does not contain any polar substance such as a surfactant, and therefore does not adversely affect the voltage holding ratio of a liquid crystal display and can form a laminate film readily. Particularly, the polymerizable liquid crystal composition can be used suitably as an optically anisotropic material to be integrated into a liquid crystal cell and has no concern about the environmental toxicity. |