Cholesteric liquid crystalline thermosets: synthesis, structure and properties of ChLCTs/precursor polymers

The synthesis of six liquid crystalline monomers M₁-M₆ and three series of side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline polymers P₁-P₃ is described. The chemical structures of the monomers were characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The structure-property relationships of M₁-M₆ and P₁-P₃ are discussed. Their phase behaviour and optical properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. The monomers M₁-M₃ exhibited cholesteric phases; M₄-M₆ showed nematic or smectic phases. The polymer series P₁-P₃ showed cholesteric phases. Experimental results demonstrated that the selective reflection of the cholesteric monomers and homopolymers shifted to the shorter wavelength region (blue shift) with increasing length of the flexible spacer. The selective reflection of the copolymers shifted to the longer wavelength region (red shift) with increasing content of nematic units.     

Small angle X-ray scattering study of chiral side chain liquid crystalline polymers in 5CB and 8CB solvents

Small angle X-ray scattering was used to examine the new chiral side chain liquid crystalline polyacrylates (P_4M and P_11M) and their mixtures (2 wt %) in the low molar mass nematogenics 4'-n-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) and 4'-octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (8CB). Complementary data were obtained by polarizing optical microscopy. In agreement with previous studies, the mesophases of the bulk polymers show a dependence on the aliphatic spacers linking the mesogenic units to the polymer backbone. Chiral nematic and smectic A₁ phases were observed for the polyacrylates with four (P_4M) and eleven (P_11M) methylene units as spacers, respectively. In solution with 5CB and 8CB, P_4M exhibits an injected smectic phase, whereas P_11M maintains the smectic arrangement already observed in the bulk, with swollen smectic layers. In all the mixtures, layer stability was found to depend on the liquid crystal used as solvent, as well as on the temperature. At temperatures corresponding to the nematic 5CB and 8CB, the coexistence of two mesophases was observed in the mixtures. Moreover, with the liquid crystal solvents in the isotropic phase, microstructures suspended in the solvent matrix containing the liquid crystalline polymer in the smectic arrangement were detected.     

Chemical modification of polyolefin blends

The effect of crosslinking on the properties of low density polyethylene / polypropylene blends was investigated. It was found that crosslinking results in much higher deformability of the blends compared to uncrosslinked materials. A decrease in crystalline portion determined by DSC leads to lower modulus in crosslinked samples. High drawability of crosslinked samples is mainly attributed to peculiar behaviour of PE part of the crosslinked blend where thicker lamellae are formed during drawing.     

Studies on the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer. XII. Synthesis and properties of crosslinkable thermotropic liquid crystalline homo- and copoly(ether-ester)s

A series of crosslinkable thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(ether-ester)s and copoly(ether-ester)s was prepared. All of the polymers were crosslinked by thermal treatment or photo-irradiation upon heating. The thermal stability and thermal crosslinking reaction of these polymers were investigated. These polymers also could be crosslinked by copolymerization with vinyl monomers, such as styrene or methyl methacrylate. The crosslinked polymers exhibited thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior after softening by heating. The phase behavior of linear polymers and crosslinked polymers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and an optical polarizing microscope equipped with a heating stage. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A generalized theory for the glass transition temperature of crosslinked and uncrosslinked polymers

A generalized theory for the glass transition temperature of crosslinked and uncrosslinked polymers has been developed, which takes into account the influences of end groups, branching, and crosslinking, and their functionality distribution. DiBenedetto's theory was found to correctly characterize the influence of crosslinks on the glass temperature. Normalized to constant crosslink functionality, the crosslink constant is a universal parameter suggesting that the entropic theory of glasses is applicable to crosslinked systems. Data on linear polymers and networks from the crosslinking of polymer chains, vinyl/divinyl-copolymers and step-growth polymers, such as polyurethanes, amine-cured epoxies, or inorganic glasses, are presented.     

The synthesis and liquid crystal transition temperatures of some weakly polar nematic methyl (E)-[trans-4-substituted-cyclohexyl]-allyl ethers

We have introduced an oxygen atom and a carbon-carbon double bond with a trans-configuration (E) into the terminal alkyl chain of a wide variety of liquid crystalline cyclohexane derivatives to produce a variety of new methyl (E)-allyl ethers. The melting points and tendency to form smectic mesophases are often low, while nearly all of the compounds prepared exhibit a nematic phase. Thus, even two-ring derivatives can exhibit nematic phases over a wide temperature range (≤80°C), sometimes starting below room temperature (T_m≈10°C). Comparisons with the corresponding derivatives incorporating either just an oxygen atom or just a carbon-carbon double bond in the same position indicate that synergetic effects lead to broader nematic phases than would otherwise have been expected. Thus many of the new methyl (E)-allyl ethers exhibit nematic phases over a wider temperature range than the corresponding materials with an unsubstituted alkyl chain attached to the cyclohexyl ring. The new compounds are easily prepared from known starting materials. Many intermediates are themselves liquid crystalline. This allows investigation of the relationship between liquid crystal transition temperatures and the nature of the terminally substituted alkyl chain (for example, incorporating C=C, OH, CO₂C₂H₅ and OCH₃ groups).     

Banana-shaped side chain liquid crystalline siloxanes

Eight banana-shaped side chain liquid crystalline oligomers and polymers have been synthesized by hydrosilylation of vinyl-terminated bent-core mesogens with trimethylsilyl-terminated siloxanes. The synthesized oligomers and polymers, and their olefinic precursors, were investigated by polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), electro-optical experiments and Maldi-Tof. The short-tailed olefins form a Col_r mesophase, whereas those with longer chains exhibit the SmCP_A mesophase. All the oligomers and polymers studied show liquid crystalline properties and do not crystallize upon cooling. Most oligomers with around four repeating siloxane units, show a lamellar (layer) structure and antiferroelectric switching properties, the SmCP_A phase. XRD shows that the layer spacings are hardly influenced by the length of the terminal tails. The oligomer prepared from the smallest olefinic precursor, having the shortest alkyl tail, shows an XRD pattern reminiscent of a columnar phase, although POM displays domains of opposite chirality, and no switching behaviour could be detected. The polymers with around 35 repeating siloxane units are liquid crystalline, but due to their high viscosity a thorough characterization of the liquid crystalline phases was impossible.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of Cu-coordinating liquid crystalline polysilsesquioxanes with heptyl side groups

In order to study the influence of the concentration of a flexible group on the liquid crystal behaviour of copper-containing complexes, series of Cu-coordinated, beta-diketone-based liquid crystalline polysilsesquioxanes (abbr. H-DK-Cu) and random copolymethylsilsesquioxanes (abbr. Me-DK-Cu), have been synthesized by the hydrosilylation reaction of a vinyl-terminated beta-diketone and 1-heptene with the polyhydrosilsesquioxane (H-T) and with the random copolymethylhydrosilsesquioxane (Me-T), followed by reaction with Cu(NH₃)₄Cl₂. Their mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarizing microscopy. The H-DK-Cu and Me-DK-Cu complexes with M_w of approximately 1 x 10⁴ are thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers and their clearing temperature and mesophase ranges are lower than those of the corresponding Cu-coordinated, beta-diketone-based liquid crystalline polymethylsilsesquioxanes (Cu-FBDKLCP) without the n-heptyl flexible group. However, their liquidity within the temperature range of the liquid crystal state is better. The results are mainly attributed to the heptyl, flexible side group.     

Crosslinking poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] and its effect on physical stability

Poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] (PTMSP) has been crosslinked using 3,3′-diazidodiphenylsulfone to improve its solvent resistance and physical stability. This study reports the influence of crosslinking on N₂, O₂ and CH₄ gas permeabilities and fractional free volume (FFV) as a function of time. Crosslinking PTMSP renders it insoluble even in excellent solvents for the uncrosslinked polymer. The gas permeability and FFV of uncrosslinked and crosslinked PTMSP decreased over time, so crosslinking PTMSP does not arrest physical aging. The addition of 10 wt.% polysiloxysilsesquioxanes (POSS) nanoparticles decreased the permeability of PTMSP by 55%, and the permeability and FFV values were stable over time for PTMSP films containing 10 wt.% POSS nanoparticles. The permeability of PTMSP at a given FFV was greater than that of other substituted polyacetylenes, polysulfones or polycarbonates, which is consistent with differences in the arrangement of free volume in these polymers, as probed by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Ellipsometry was used to characterize physical aging of thin (400 nm) uncrosslinked and crosslinked PTMSP films supported on silicon wafers. The ellipsometry results showed that crosslinking does not markedly slow physical aging of thin PTMSP films.     

Synthesis and characterization of a series of side chain chiral smectic liquid crystalline elastomers

A series of new chiral smectic liquid crystalline elastomers was prepared by graft polymerization of a nematic monomer with a chiral and non-mesogenic crosslinking agent, using polymethylhydrosiloxane as backbone. The chemical structures of the monomers and polymers obtained were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR. The mesomorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Monomer M₁ showed a nematic phase during heating and cooling. Polymer P₀ exhibited a smectic B phase; elastomers P₁-P₃ showed the smectic A phase, P₄-P₆ showed a chiral smectic C(SmC*), and P₇ displayed stress-induced birefringence. Elastomers containing less than 15 mol % M₂ displayed elasticity, reversible phase transitions with wide mesophase temperature ranges, and high thermal stability. With increasing content of the crosslinking unit, glass transition temperatures first increased, then fell, then increased again; isotropization temperatures and mesophase temperature ranges steadily decreased.     

Synthesis, micro structure, and thermal stability of side chain liquid crystalline polysiloxane polymers with an oligo (ethylene oxide) unit in the side chain

A series of new alkene monomers [MS3BDBEn, n=1-3] containing 4-oligo (ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether 4-biphenyl ether carboxyl benzoate as terminal groups were synthesized. These polymers were prepared by grafting these monomers onto the poly (methylhydrosilox-ane) (PMHS) backbone. The transition temperatures, liquid crystalline textures, and thermal stability of the polysiloxane polymers have been determined by thermal data, by optical texture, and by X-ray diffraction patterns. Polymers PS3BDBEn showed smectic or smectic and nematic phases which were not analogous to their precursor nematic monomers. The terminal length of the polymers affects not only the mesophase transition temperatures but also the layer-spacing length (d₁) and the side-chain distance (d₂). The long- and short-range orders can remain to some extent above the isotropization temperature and below the melting point. The polymer PS3BDBE3 decomposed in air 20°C above the isotropization temperature and lost its short range orders as detected by the X-ray diffraction analysis.     

交联对聚己二酸乙二醇酯聚氨酯/甲基丙烯酸甲酯交联聚合物的力学阻尼、相容性及形态的影响

 用紫外光聚合方法制备出一系列端乙烯基聚己二酸乙二醇酯聚氨酯(PEAPU)和甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)AB交联聚合物(ABCP)。用粘弹谱仪、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和平衡溶胀法研究了AB交联聚合物的动态力学性能、玻璃化转变温度、形态和交联密度、观察到相应于聚氨酯和PMMA相两个玻璃化转变温度,TEM照片中的微相分离是更明显的,ABCP中的两个T_g内移表明,两种成分的化学交联增加了相互的可混性、与ABCP具有相同组成的IPN有比ABCP大得多的相区。氢键能够影响ABCP的相容性、形态和动态力学性能。     

塑晶基离子液体合成及其电化学性能

通过简单、易于工业化的重结晶方法制备了高纯1-甲基-1-乙基吡咯烷鎓双(三氟甲基磺酰)亚胺盐(P₁₂TFSI)塑晶化合物. 在此化合物中加入30% (摩尔分数, x)双(氟磺酰)亚胺锂(LiFSI)后, 得到P₁₂TFSI/LiFSI 塑晶基离子液体. 采用循环伏安法、恒电压极化法及恒电流充放电法等电化学方法考察了该离子液体的电化学窗口、铝箔集流体的腐蚀性及电池性能. 结果表明, 该离子液体电解质具有5.00 V的电化学窗口, 室温离子电导率达到0.92 mS·cm^-1, 且不腐蚀Al 集流体. 以该塑晶离子液体作为电解液组装的实验电池LiCoO₂/Li 表现出良好的充放电特性及循环性能, 在较低倍率下能够和使用碳酸酯类电解液组装的实验电池的性能相媲美. 在4.50 V高电压下, 循环20周后, 容量仍能保持在175 mAh·g^-1, 容量保持率为95.1%. 这些结果说明该离子液体在高性能锂二次电池中具有良好的应用前景.     

交联对聚己二酸乙二醇酯聚氨酯/甲基丙烯酸甲酯交联聚合物的力学阻尼、相容性及形态的影响

用紫外光聚合方法制备出一系列端乙烯基聚己二酸乙二醇酯聚氨酯(PEAPU)和甲基丙烯酸甲酯(MMA)AB交联聚合物(ABCP)。用粘弹谱仪、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和平衡溶胀法研究了AB交联聚合物的动态力学性能、玻璃化转变温度、形态和交联密度、观察到相应于聚氨酯和PMMA相两个玻璃化转变温度,TEM照片中的微相分离是更明显的,ABCP中的两个T_g内移表明,两种成分的化学交联增加了相互的可混性、与ABCP具有相同组成的IPN有比ABCP大得多的相区。氢键能够影响ABCP的相容性、形态和动态力学性能。     

Preparation and properties of siloxane liquid crystalline elastomers with a mesogenic crosslinking agent

A mesogenic crosslinking agent M-1 was synthesized to minimize the perturbations of non-mesogenic crosslinking agents in liquid crystalline elastomers. The synthesis of new side chain liquid crystalline elastomers containing the rigid mesogenic crosslinking agent M-1 and nematic monomer M-2 by a one-step hydrosilylation reaction is described. The chemical structures of the monomers and network polymers obtained were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The mesomorphic properties and phase behaviour were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The influence of the crosslinking units on phase behaviour is discussed. Liquid crystalline elastomers containing less than 15 mol % of the crosslinking units showed elasticity, reversible phase transitions and a threaded texture. The experimental results demonstrated that the glass transition temperature of polymers P-1-7 increased with increasing concentration of crosslinking agent M-1; but the isotropic temperature and liquid crystalline range decreased slightly.     

Anisotropic networks, elastomers and gels

Anisotropic networks, elastomers and gels exhibit piezoelectric, pyroelectric, ferroelectric and NLO properties of potential interest for use communication and processing technologies. The formation, properties and applications of such anisotropic, mainly liquid crystalline, networks are described. If some of the molecules in a liquid mixture contain at least two reactive groups which can be either photochemically or thermally polymerized, then crosslinked, anisotropic networks, elastomers and gels can be produced. Solid macroscopically aligned elastomers or networks can be formed as required beforehand or simultaneously by orientation of the sample. Anisotropic gels consist of a solid anisotropic network and non-covalently bonded, but strongly oriented domains of low molar mass liquid crystals. Anisotropic networks, elastomers preformed amorphous or liquid crystalline polymers incorporating additional reactive groups, which can be macroscopically oriented in the additional crosslinking reactions. Reversible networks, elastomers and gels can be prepared either non-covalently or covalently by thermally side group polymers and low molar mass molecules, liquid crystalline properties in the pure state. in many electro-optic devices for optical and gels can be prepared from liquid crystalline state and then fixed by reversible linkages between, for example, neither of which necessarily exhibit     

Side chain liquid crystal polymers observed by transmission electron microscopy: Microstructure of polymethacrylates and a polyacrylate

The smectic structures of three side chain liquid crystal polymethacrylates (PMA) with different terminal groups and a polyacrylate (P₈) were analysed by transmission electron microscopy. Using low electron doses, we were able to obtain diffraction patterns and high resolution (HREM) images from highly oriented undamaged specimens. The results are compared with those from previous X-ray diffraction experiments. All the polymers have a smectic A structure. The PMA and P₈, each with a CN terminal group, are the least ordered. Their diffraction patterns show a smectic A_d structure. PMA-OC₄H₉ and PMA-φ) have smectic A₁ structures. The smectic layers, seen by high resolution images, are very well oriented with only a few defects such as notches or kinks. In the A_d structure, the well-ordered domains are smaller, and the defects are more numerous. The differences are due to the influence of the polarization of the side chain terminated with CN.     

对羟基苯甲酸印迹聚合物微粒的制备及其固相萃取应用

以对羟基苯甲酸(p-HBA)为模板分子,丙烯酰胺(AM)为功能单体,乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯为交联剂,采用沉淀聚合法在乙腈溶剂中制备了p-HBA印迹聚合物微粒,研究了p-HBA加入量及聚合反应体系的总浓度对印迹聚合物结合性能的影响,采用色谱法对其进行了评价。结果表明,p-HBA的加入量及反应体系的总浓度对结合性能均有影响,当p-HBA加入量为1.0 mmol(与AM物质的量比为1:2)时,在37.5 mL乙腈中制得印迹聚合物P₂对p-HBA具有高的亲和力(k'=4.01)和选择性。将印迹聚合物P₂作为固相萃取填料,研究了分子印迹固相萃取p-HBA的方法,测得2种不同载样模式下p-HBA的柱容量分别为6.91 μg/100 mg和1.93 μg/100 mg,测得天麻样品中p-HBA的加标回收率为76.8%~86.6%(RSD=3.4%~6.2%)(n=3)。结果表明,采用沉淀聚合法以AM为功能单体制备的p-HBA印迹聚合物微粒适宜作为固相萃取填料,可实现天麻样品中p-HBA的选择性分离净化。     

NiMo(O)物相结构与电解水析氢反应活性的关联（英文）

在电催化析氢反应中,Ni Mo(O)催化剂在高电流密度下通常表现为极低的过电位。然而,该优异电催化性能的真正起源尚不明确。一个新的角度,即研究钼镍催化剂结构/性能演变的规律,能够帮助深入理解镍钼催化剂具有高活性的本质原因。基于此,本文详细阐述了含有结晶水的钼酸镍的脱水和氧化过程,在随后的还原处理中,该演变过程也被证实对于衍生不同的催化剂相结构具有重要作用。文中通过热重-差热分析以及程序升温氢气还原的方法探究电催化剂的特征相结构演变过程。同时,借助X射线衍射仪、拉曼光谱和高分辨透射电子显微镜分析确认催化剂物相。原位电化学X射线衍射分析提供了电催化剂在反应过程中的晶相结构。本文合成了具有不同主体相结构的钼镍催化剂：MoNi₄,β-NiMoO₄和α-NiMoO₄,它们的析氢反应活性具有显著差异。其中,β-NiMoO₄作为主体相结构的NiMoO₄-400air-H₂催化剂在碱性水还原反应中显现出最差的析氢性能;与之相比,α-NiMoO₄作为主...