Light scattering from a nematic monodomain in an electric field Twist elastic constant and viscosity coefficient of nematic polymer-solvent mixtures

The light scattering technique was used to investigate the viscoelastic parameters characterizing director twist distortions in miscible nematic mixtures of 5CB (pentacyanobiphenyl) with two side chain liquid crystal polymers and a main chain liquid crystal polymer. By applying an AC electric field to homeotropically-aligned nematic monodomains of the mixtures, the field-dependent scattering intensities and director orientation fluctuation relaxation rates yield, respectively, the twist elastic constant K₂₂ and viscosity coefficient γ₁. The results directly demonstrate that the addition of liquid crystal polymers causes substantial decreases of the relaxation rates for dynamic light scattering from the twist mode and these changes are due to small decreases in K₂₂ coupled with large increases in γ₁. The decrements in K₂₂ are comparable for both side chain and main chain liquid crystal polymers. The relative increase in the twist viscosity for the side chain liquid crystal polymers is much smaller than those of main chain polymers. A theoretical model is used to qualitatively interpret the difference between the viscous behaviour of the twist mode for both side chain and main chain liquid crystal polymers in a nematic solvent.     

<Superscript>2</Superscript>H-NMR investigation after a polymerisation-induced phase separation process*

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) are composite materials consisting of micron-sized droplets of liquid crystal dispersed in a polymer matrix. The easiest method to obtain a PDLC film is the polymerisation-induced phase separation process (PIPS). The liquid crystal is mixed with a monomer of low molecular weight and polymerisation is induced by heat or UV light. The increasing molecular weight of the polymer causes the phase separation of liquid crystal from the polymer matrix as micron-sized droplets. In this work, we have studied the structural changes induced in the polymer matrix of a PDLC after the PIPS process by deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance. Two different selectively deuterated monomers have been synthesized and investigated: isobutyl methacrylate (IBMA-d₂) and methyl methacrylate (MMA-d₃). The main results were the disappearance of the characteristic two-site hop in poly-IBMA, due to liquid crystal molecules, and the lack of unreacted MMA molecules in the liquid crystal droplets. In this last case, we found that it is possible to confine temporarily the unreacted MMA molecules within liquid crystal droplets.Abbreviations MMA Methyl methacrylate - IBMA Isobutyl methacrylate - PDLC Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal - PIPS Polymerisation-induced phase separation - ²H-NMR Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance*Dedicated to Professor V. Bertini for his 70^th birthday     

Effect of electric field on phase separation of polymer dispersed liquid crystal

The kinetics of the polymerization induced phase separation of liquid crystal (LC)/monomer mixture has been investigated by means of depolarized light intensity technique and polarized light microscope (PLM). To examine the effect of the electric field, a DC electric field was applied across the mixtures during the phase separation process. The kinetic study indicates that the phase separation process is accelerated when the electric field is applied. The morphologies of the formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were observed by PLM. The electric field applied during the phase separation process yields the PDLC with small LC domains and fine morphologies. The clearing temperature (T_NI) of the formed PDLC films was measured by the PLM and it is found that the T_NI increases with the applied electric field intensity.     

STATISTICS OF A NOVEL CLASS OF LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS

A novel class of the liquid crystal polymers with mesogens laterally attached to flexible main chain backbones has been synthesized recently by us. While the flexible backbones tend to take configuration of maximum entropy the mesogenic side groups tend to orientate because of the anisotropie soft dispersion forces. A mean field theory is presented to describe the competition between these two trends which makes it possible for this class of polymers to show anisotropic (liquid crystal) phase within certain temperature range where the polymer main chains and the side chain mesogens will take approximately parallel arrangement, which is different from the normal side chain liquid crystal polymers. The temperature range of the liquid crystal phase, its ordering and phase transition all depend on the flexibility of the backbone, the strengthof the anisotropic forces of the side groups and the hinge elasticity. The results show that the liquid crystalisotropic phase transition is of the first order. The phase diagram, i. e. the dependence of the transition temperature on the structure of the polymers is also given.     

The electro-optical response of nematic emulsions

Switchable nematic emulsions are micron-sized droplets of nematic liquid crystal, floating in isotropic fluid matrices. Such droplets can be switched from an opaque (off) to a transparent (on) state by application of very low electric fields. It is known that the electro-optical properties of liquid crystal dispersions are affected by several parameters, including the liquid crystal loading. The electro-optical response of nematic emulsions has been investigated as a function of liquid crystal weight percentage. Almost transparent films with a reduced contrast ratio are obtained with lower liquid crystal contents. A macroscopic phase separation is observed when liquid crystal content exceeds 45 wt %. On the contrary, large contrast ratios and very low switching fields can be obtained if liquid crystal ranges from 25 to 35 wt %. Consequently, nematic emulsions prepared in this liquid crystal range can be used as promising systems for electro-optical applications. In addition to technological developments, these results can help computational and basic studies of phase separation in novel multiphase liquid crystalline materials.     

Light scattering from a nematic monodomain in an electric field Twist elastic constant and viscosity coefficient of nematic polymer–solvent mixtures

Abstract

The light scattering technique was used to investigate the viscoelastic parameters characterizing director twist distortions in miscible nematic mixtures of 5CB (pentacyanobiphenyl) with two side chain liquid crystal polymers and a main chain liquid crystal polymer. By applying an AC electric field to homeotropically-aligned nematic monodomains of the mixtures, the field-dependent scattering intensities and director orientation fluctuation relaxation rates yield, respectively, the twist elastic constant K ₂₂ and viscosity coefficient γ₁. The results directly demonstrate that the addition of liquid crystal polymers causes substantial decreases of the relaxation rates for dynamic light scattering from the twist mode and these changes are due to small decreases in K ₂₂ coupled with large increases in γ₁. The decrements in K ₂₂ are comparable for both side chain and main chain liquid crystal polymers. The relative increase in the twist viscosity for the side chain liquid crystal polymers is much smaller than those of main chain polymers. A theoretical model is used to qualitatively interpret the difference between the viscous behaviour of the twist mode for both side chain and main chain liquid crystal polymers in a nematic solvent.     

Photochemical phase transition versus photochemical phase separation

When a nematic liquid crystal is doped with a large amount of a liquid crystalline azobenzene compound (15 wt %), the photoisomerization of azobenzene under UV and visible light irradiation can give rise to reversible and interconvertible photochemical phase transition and photochemical phase separation. Both normal and reverse modes of photocontrolled switching of transmittance through crossed polarizers can be realized with the same mixture of liquid crystal/azobenzene dopant.     

Synthesis and structure of wholly aromatic liquid–crystalline polyesters containing meta- and ortholinkages

Wholly aromatic main-chain rigid-chain polymers containing meta- and orthokink linkages were synthesized. The thermal property, liquid crystallinity, and crystalline structure were studied using DSC, polarized light microscopy, and wide-angle X-ray scattering. These polymers exhibited liquid crystallinity up to 50 mol % of meta- and orthokink linkages. The existence of liquid crystallinity in these polymers may be attributed to the adoption of cis conformation in kink units in these polymers because the energy penalty for doing so can be compensated by the formation of the liquid–crystalline phase. The crystallinity of the polymers was low, and the crystal structure was quite similar to that of the pure polymers (without kink units). This can be explained by that fact that the crystal region mainly consists of the nonkink units, and the kink units disrupt the crystallization of the polymers and form defects. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1242–1248, 2001     

Characterisation of polymerisation-induced phase separation process in polymer-dispersed liquid crystals based on hydroxyalkyl-methacrylate matrices

Hydroxyalkyl-methacrylates are very well-known hydrogel-forming biocompatible polymers. In this work, polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (LCs) based on hydroxyethyl- and hydroxypropyl-methacrylate (HEMA and HPMA) matrices are synthesised and characterised. Two different LCs from the cyano-biphenyl family (4?-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl [5CB] and 4?-octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl [8CB]) are used. Polymerisation kinetics, phase transitions, and morphologies generated during the polymerisation-induced phase separation process are analysed. Phase separation is observed at very low conversions, where a polymer-rich phase is initially segregated and this produces an increase in the low-conversion polymerisation rate (ascribed to the auto-acceleration effect of free-radical polymerisations in the polymer-rich phase). The liquid crystalline transition temperature decreases as the concentration of LC decreases, indicating that this phase is impurified. The liquid crystal 8CB is found to be less miscible than 5CB with the polymer matrices, so the LC-rich phase for 5CB is more impurified and its total volume in the material is smaller.     

Multivariable structural characterization of semicrystalline polymer blends by small‐angle light scattering

A new multi‐variable‐measurement approach for characterizing and correlating the nanoscale and microscale morphology of crystal‐amorphous polymer blends with melt‐phase behavior is described. A vertical small‐angle light scattering (SALS) instrument optimized for examining the scattering and light transmitted from structures ranging from 0.5 to 50 μm, thereby spanning the size range characteristic of the initial‐to‐late stages of thermal‐phase transitions (e.g., melt‐phase separation and crystallization) in crystal‐amorphous polymer blends, was constructed. The SALS instrument was interfaced with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and simultaneous SALS/DSC/transmission measurements were performed. We show that the measurement of transmitted light and SALS under H_V (cross‐polarized) optical alignments during melting can be used to reliably measure the thermodynamic (e.g., crystal melting and melt‐phase separation temperatures) and structural variables (e.g., crystalline fraction within the superstructures and volume fraction of superstructures) necessary for describing the multiphase behavior of crystal‐amorphous blends in one combined measurement. We also evaluate the orientation correlations of crystalline volume elements within the superstructures. Our results indicate that simultaneous measurement of transmitted light can provide a reliable estimate of the total scattering from density and orientation fluctuations and the melt‐phase separation temperature of polymer blends. For solution‐cast poly(?‐caprolactone)/poly(D,L‐lactic acid) blends, our multivariable measurements during melting provide the parameters necessary to generate a crystal–liquid and liquid–liquid phase diagram and characterize the solid‐state morphology. This opens up the challenge to explore use of our vertical SALS instrument as a rapid and convenient method for developing structure–property relationships for crystal‐amorphous polymer blends. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2714–2727, 2002     

Alignment modulation of azobenzene-containing liquid crystal systems by photochemical reactions

Recent progress in alignment modulation of azobenzene-containing liquid crystal systems by photochemical reactions has been reviewed by dividing the modulation methods into two types: phase transitions (order–disorder change) and change of liquid crystal directors (order–order change). First, photochemical phase transitions and alignment changes of liquid crystals in guest/host mixtures and polymers are summarized. Then, alignment control of liquid crystals by linearly polarized light and photoactive surface layers is discussed. Finally, recent applications of alignment change and photochemical phase transitions of liquid crystals in holographic technology and photomechanical effects are introduced. In addition, future possible applications for a variety of practical devices, such as display devices, optical switching and reversible optical image storage, are mentioned.     

新型弯曲形双偶氮苯类液晶合成及光致异构性能研究

弯曲形偶氮苯液晶由于其偶氮键独特的光致可逆异构化性能,已成为光电子信息材料研究的热门课题,但光响应速度慢已成为制约其发展的关键因素.目前报道的弯曲型偶氮类液晶化合物的偶氮键都距离中心核较远的位置,光致异构的响应时间较长,大都在分钟以上,不利于光敏器件应用研究.本工作试图以2-甲基-1,3-间苯二胺为中心核,将偶氮键紧挨中心核两边,末端为直链烷基,设计合成了一系列新型弯曲形双偶氮苯类液晶化合物,以期缩短光响应时间.通过IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR和ICP-MS光谱鉴定这些化合物的分子结构,经差示扫描量热仪(DSC)和偏光显微镜(POM)测定其液晶相变温度和相态织构;并通过测定2-甲基-1,3-双(4-((4-庚基苯基)酯基)-1-(E)-偶氮苯基)苯(2c)的紫外-可见光的吸收光谱研究其光致异构化性能,通过UV-Vis光谱仪和偏光显微镜(POM)测定其液晶化合物以及掺杂向列相液晶材料的光致异构现象和响应时间.实验结果表明,所有设计合成的弯曲形双偶氮苯类液晶化合物均具有近晶相相态,且相态温度范围较宽,当近晶相态化合物2c掺杂到向列相混合液晶中时,其光致异构响应时间为2~3 s,在日光下液晶态恢复时间为3~4s,在乙酸乙酯稀溶液中时10s可达到光稳态.说明这类弯曲形双偶氮液晶化合物具有较快的光致异构响应速度.     

手性聚甲基丙烯酸酯液晶聚合物的合成及相行为的研究

手性聚甲基丙烯酸酯液晶聚合物的合成及相行为的研究向前，张纪宇，张树范（中国科学院化学研究所北京１０００８０）关键词手性液晶聚合物，相行为手性侧链液晶聚合物在侧链中含有不对称碳原子的末端基，使聚合物显示Ｓｔ相．Ｓ？相层中的分子呈倾斜排列而产生自发极化．...     

Electrically tunable polarisation-independent blue-phase liquid crystal binary phase grating via phase-separated composite films

A simple method for fabricating polarisation-independent blue-phase liquid crystal phase grating is demonstrated by implementing photopolymerisation-induced phase separation through a binary photomask. The dynamic focusing property of the proposed liquid crystal grating is independent of the polarisation state of incident light. The efficiency of various diffraction orders for the phase grating was measured as a function of the applied voltage. Experimental results show that the maximum diffraction efficiency reaches 36% for the ±1 order, which approaches the theoretical limit ~41%. The measured rise time is 1.4 ms and fall time is 2.2 ms. Such a tunable grating has great potential for photonic applications.     

Phase separation in mixtures of thermotropic liquid crystals and flexible polymers

The spinodal equation and the concentration-induced anisotropic-isotropic transition equation of the mixtures of thermotropic liquid crystals and flexible polymers have been studied by using the molecular field theory The calculations of the phase diagrams of this system show that,besides the isotropic classic spinodal curve,there ex ists an anisotropic spinodal curve which has not been reported in literature.These two spinodal curves can be linked up by the concentration-induced anisotropic-isotropic transition line.In the various phase regions,demixing may take place due to different phase separation mechanisms.The phase equilibrium curve cannot always join the.spinodal curve at a critical point.These results are considered very meaningful for the understanding of the special properties of liquid crystal/polymer composites and very useful for controlling the morphology and the performance of PDLC materials     

液晶性树状高分子

对树状高分子进行功能化,使之成为具有特定性能的新型材料是目前很热门的课题,树状液晶就是其中之一.树状高分子长径比很小,似乎难以形成液晶态,但人们已发现多种树状液晶分子,几乎囊括了所有在其他高分子中出现过的液晶相.本文按液晶相分类,介绍树状液晶高分子的研究进展.     

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composites for bio-applications: thermotropic,surface and optical properties

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) systems based on polysulfone as carrying matrix and 4-cyano-4?-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) liquid crystal (LC) were obtained as thin transparent films. The PDLC films were prepared by solvent- and thermally induced phase separation methods, with various compositions in the two components. Information on the phase separation was obtained by polarised light optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The PDLC composites show well-defined droplets of submicrometric size, around 650 nm for a medium content of LC and around 250 nm for a low one. The droplets show a radial configuration and a homeotropic alignment of the LC molecules within. By contact angle measurement and surface free energy calculations, it was established that self-assembling of aliphatic units of the two composite components, at droplet interface, is the driving force of the homeotropic alignment. Moreover, these data indicated the potential biocompatibility of the studied composites. The photophysical behaviour shows a better light emission of the PDLCs containing bigger droplets.     

New one-pot technique to introduce charged nanoparticles into a lyotropic liquid crystal matrix

We present a new method to incorporate hydrophilic charged nanoparticles into the lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) template. This method is based on the effect of the polymer-induced phase separation (PIPS) and consists of two steps. In the first step, the nanoparticles are mixed with a surfactant micellar solution. In the second step, upon addition of polymer, phase separation is induced and the LLC phase doped with the nanoparticles is formed. Columnar hexagonal and lamellar LLC templates are obtained with the PIPS method. The ordering of the LLC phase can be controlled by the amount of polymer added to induce phase separation. The method works both for the system of nonionic surfactants and polymers and ionic surfactants and polyelectrolytes. We demonstrate that the PIPS method enables the fabrication of the LLC templates doped with positively or negatively charged nanoparticles as well as with a mixture of oppositely charged nanoparticles in arbitrary proportions.     

Twisted smectic A phases in side chain liquid crystal polymers

The syntheses of two side chain liquid crystal polymers, a polyacrylate and a polymethacrylate, are reported. In each of the polymers the liquid-crystalline side group carries an asymmetric carbon atom, thereby making some of the liquid crystal phases formed by the polymers optically active and chiral. For the chiral polyacrylate smectic A and chiral ferroelectric smectic C phases are observed, however for the chiral polymethacrylate a cholesteric phase is detected above the smectic A phase. It is found that the smectic A to cholesteric phase transition is mediated by the formation of an intermediary twisted smectic A phase. This intermediary phase is a liquid-crystalline analogue of the Abrikosov flux phase found in Type II superconductors.     

有机硅改性席夫碱聚氨酯型液晶固定相的制备、表征及色谱性能

以对苯二胺、3-氯丙醇和4-羟基苯甲醛为原料,合成对苯二(对苯丙氧基醇)亚胺液晶基元,再与对苯二异氰酸酯和1,3-双(3-氨基丙基)四甲基二硅氧烷反应,合成席夫碱型硅氧烷聚氨酯液晶聚合物。 通过红外光谱法、X射线衍射、热分析、偏光显微镜等技术手段对其结构和性能进行了表征。 结果表明,该物质为席夫碱有机硅聚氨酯液晶聚合物,属于近晶相液晶,液晶区间为103~150 ℃,热分解温度为300 ℃。 用席夫碱型硅氧烷聚氨酯液晶固定相制备填充色谱柱,考察固定液的相对极性及其对取代苯位置异构体的色谱分离性能。 合成的席夫碱型硅氧烷聚氨酯液晶聚合物的液晶温度范围为103~146 ℃,属于强极性固定液(P_x=79),各组分色谱峰的分离度为0.96~3.33。