For applications of columnar-discotic liquid
crystals a control about the orientation of the structures is a
basic requirement. The work presented here shows possibilities
for uniaxial orientation of this class of liquid crystals in
thin, macroscopic films as well as in nanostructures. A
uniaxial in-plane orientation of columnar-discotic liquid
crystals in thin films via spin-coating can be realised using
PTFE-orientation layers. This is a simple film preparation
method for unixially aligned columnar-discotic layers, which
can be used in organic field effect transistors. Nanostructures
with a uniaxial orientation of the columnar-discotic compound
can be fabricated via wetting of nanoporous aluminium oxid
membranes. This method allows for the preparation of uniaxially
aligned nanorods and nanotubes.
