Smectic C liquid crystal growth and memory effect through surface orientation by carbon nanotubes

► Well oriented local smectic C single crystals were obtained by single wall carbon nanotubes deposited on SiOx/ITO surface. ► The memorization and anchoring strengths of this surface are significantly higher than those at conventional ITO surfaces. ► These important for the LCD techniques parameters are enhanced by trapping of LC bulk charges by nanotubes.