Tailoring the liquid crystalline property via controlling the generation of dendronized polymers containing azobenzene mesogen

The first‐ and second‐generation dendronized polymers containing azobenzene mesogen were designed and successfully synthesized via free radical polymerization. The chemical structures of the monomers were confirmed by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. The molecular characterizations of the polymers were performed with ¹H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The phase structures and transition behaviors were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy, and small‐angle X‐ray scatter experiments. The experiment results revealed that the first‐generation dendronized polymer exhibited liquid crystalline behavior of the conventional side‐chain liquid crystalline polymer with azobenzene mesogen, that is, the polymer exhibited smectic phase structure at lower temperature and nematic phase structure at higher temperature. However, the second‐generation dendronized polymers exhibited more versatile intriguing liquid crystalline structures, namely smectic phase structure at lower temperature and columnar nematic phase structure at higher temperature, and moreover, the phase structure still remained before the decomposition temperature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1149–1159, 2010     

On the structure and the chain conformation of side-chain liquid crystal polymers

Abstract

Backbone anisotropy and the structure of the mesophases of a series of side-chain liquid crystal polymers have been studied in the bulk by neutron scattering. The backbone conformation is obtained by small-angle neutron scattering on mixtures of hydrogenous polymers with deuteriated backbones. The components of the radius of gyration parallel, R _⊥ and perpendicular, R ∥ to the magnetic field are determined as a function of temperature for both the nematic phase and the smectic phase. It is shown that the polymer backbone is deformed in both phases. When the polymer exhibits only a nematic phase, it adopts a prolate conformation, where the average backbone direction is more or less parallel to the aligned mesogenic groups. Upon transition from the smectic phase to a nematic phase, the backbone in the nematic phase assumes a slightly oblate shape. This tendency towards oblate shape is due to the smectic fluctuations which are always present in such nematic phases. The exentricity of the oblate backbone conformation in the smectic phase is always larger than in the nematic phase. This is attributed to a periodic distribution of the backbone between the mesophase layers. Then, the backbone anisotropy depends not only on the smectic structure (S_A1, S_Ad), but also on the temperature dependence of the density of aligned mesogenic groups in the layers. On the other hand, it is shown that the isotopic mixtures are no longer ideal when polymers deuteriated in the mesogenic moieties are mixed with the corresponding hydrogenous polymers.     

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.     

Preparation of ordered and crosslinked films from liquid crystalline vinyl ether monomers

Thermally stable ordered films were prepared by in-situ photopolymerization of an oriented monomer mixture, consisting of mesogenic monofunctional and bifunctional vinyl ethers. Orientation was achieved by a simple surface treatment, using an unidirectionally rubbed polyimide film. The films restored their orientation when cooled down from temperatures of 200°C. Highly ordered densely crosslinked films have been prepared by polymerization of bifunctional mesogenic vinyl ether monomers. Polymerization from various monomer phases resulted in LC polymer network films with different molecular organizations. It was shown that films with nematic, smectic A and smectic B structures were obtained, the latter having a very high degree of orientation. The films were analyzed with small-angle X-ray scattering, polarized light microscopy and infrared- dichroism measurements.     

基于原子转移自由基聚合技术的偶氮苯星形液晶聚合物的合成与表征

利用原子转移自由基聚合(ATRP)技术合成了含不同端基取代基的偶氮苯三臂星形侧链液晶聚合物. 均苯三酚与2-溴异丁酰溴通过酯化反应制备三官能团引发剂, 引发偶氮苯单体6-[4-(4-甲氧基苯基偶氮)酚氧基]己基甲基丙烯酸酯(MMAzo)或6-[4-(4-乙氧基苯基偶氮)酚氧基]己基甲基丙烯酸酯(EMAzo)的ATRP反应. 利用核磁共振氢谱(¹H NMR)、凝胶色谱(GPC)、差示扫描量热法(DSC)和偏光显微镜(POM)等手段对星形聚合物进行表征. 星形聚合物的液晶性与相应均聚物相似, 但偶氮苯端基取代基的不同导致星形聚合物的液晶性差别显著. 在紫外/可见光照射下星形聚合物呈现明显的异构化转变.     

含有联苯和肉桂酸酯基团的侧链液晶共聚物的合成与表征

合成了两种含有联苯刚性基元的甲基丙烯酸酯单体M1和M2,其中M1为含有可光交联的肉桂酸酯端基的单体.通过溶液自由基聚合,得到一系列含不同比例M1和M2单体单元的聚丙烯酸酯类侧链液晶共聚物.采用1H-NMR、FT-IR等方法对单体和聚合物的结构进行了详细表征.用示差扫描量热法、偏光显微镜以及广角和小角X-射线衍射对单体和聚合物的液晶性进行了研究.结果表明,末端为肉桂酸酯基团的单体M1无液晶性,其均聚物P1有微弱的液晶性,而端基为正丁基的单体M2及其均聚物P9则表现出近晶相液晶行为.共聚物P2~P5均为向列型液晶,P6~P9则为近晶型液晶.随在聚合物中M2单体含量的增加,共聚物的玻璃化转变温度、熔点及清亮点温度均呈现增加趋势.     

含联苯结构侧链液晶聚合物的合成及相行为的研究

液晶聚合物从结构上可分为3种:侧链型、主链型和主侧链型。侧链型液晶聚合物主要是聚丙烯酸酯类、聚硅氧烷类以及磷腈聚合物类。Gray等对聚丙烯酸酯类含不同取代基的联苯结构液晶聚合物进行了研究,结果表明无间隔基且取代基为氰基和饱和脂肪基时,该聚合物呈现近晶型液晶行为。为了增加介晶单元的长径比及刚性,本文在聚甲基丙烯酸酯侧链     

Metallorganic side group liquid crystalline polymers containing pi-allylpalladium(II) groups

The preparation and phase properties of some LC pi-allyl and pi-crotyl Pd(II) side group metallorganic polymers and some related salicylaldiminates are described. The LC acrylate functionalized monomers are easily prepared, but their use to obtain the corresponding polymers by radical reaction failed because extensive decomposition of the complexes occurs with the formation of Pd metal. The synthesis of the metallated polymers was therefore performed by reacting the dimeric chloro-bridged organometallic pi-allyl or pi-crotyl Pd(II) complexes with the appropriate ligand polymer which is prepared without difficulties. The organometallic polymers show a nematic mesophase, while the ligand polymer exhibits a smectic A or C phase. Both metallated low molecular mass model compounds and the polymers give stable mesophases, although at lower temperatures compared with the parent ligand compounds.     

Synthesis, structure and characterization of side chain cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxanes

A series of liquid crystalline homopolysiloxanes and copolysiloxanes were synthesized. The chemical structures of the monomers M₁-M₇ were confirmed by FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The structure-property relationships of the monomers and polymers are discussed; their phase behaviour and optical properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and polarizing optical microscopy. All the monomers, except M₂ and M₇ showed smectic and nematic phases; the copolymers P₈-P₁₅ displayed cholesteric phases. The homopolymers P₁-P₇ exhibited smectic phases. The selective reflection of cholesteric monomers and copolymers shifted to longer wavelengths with increasing length of the rigid mesogenic core, with decreasing length of the flexible spacer, or with increasing content of nematic units. Experimental results demonstrated that a flexible polymer backbone, a rigid mesogenic core and a long flexible spacer tended to produce a lower glass transition temperature, higher thermal stability, and wider mesophase temperature range.     

Morphology of polymer networks polymerized in highly ordered liquid crystalline phases

The morphology and optical properties of polymer stabilized liquid crystals formed in a more highly ordered low molecular weight liquid crystal solvent were studied. Tetrafunctional, mesogenic monomers (with and without flexible spacers) were polymerized in isotropic, nematic and smectic phases of the LC solvent (4′-octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl) and studied with scanning electron microscopy and cross-polarized light microscopy. The network morphology of the nematic and isotropic phase polymerizations showed strong similarities with the corresponding polymerizations in other solvents. Polymerization in the smectic phase, however, resulted in marked increases in network order and directionality. Most dramatically, even the polymer without flexible spacer formed a fibrous network of rodlike units, in contrast to the random, beaded texture formed by the same polymer in nematic or isotropic conditions. Correspondingly, a large increase in birefringence demonstrated significant polymer orientation and more effective orientational interaction with the liquid crystalline solvent.     

Effect of chiral isosorbide groups on mesomorphic properties of side-chain liquid-crystalline polysiloxanes

Chiral side-chain liquid-crystalline (LC) polysiloxanes containing isosorbide groups were graft copolymerised with poly(methylhydrogeno)siloxane, a chiral LC monomer 6-(4-methoxy-benzoyloxy)-hexahydro-furo[3,2-b]furan-3-yl 4'-(4-undec-10-enoyloxy-benzoyloxy)-biphenyl-4-yl adipate and a nematic LC monomer 4'-(4-methoxy-benzoyloxy)-biphenyl-4-yl 4-(2-undec-10-enoyloxy-ethoxy)-benzoate. The chemical structures and LC properties of the monomers and polymers were characterised by use of various experimental techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), element analyses (EA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarised optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). All the chiral LC polymers showed LC properties with very wide mesophase temperature ranges and the chiral component in the LC polymer systems lead to the appearance of a cholesteric phase. The polymers bearing most chiral LC monomer component showed smectic phases by reason of regular structures in the polymer systems. With the increase of another nematic LC monomer in the polymers, the regular polymer structures were destroyed because of different chemical structures between the two kinds of LC monomers, leading to the disappearance of the smectic arrangement.     

A novel series of styrene-based liquid crystal monomers displaying either nematic or chiral nematic phases

A new series of liquid crystalline styrene-based monomers is described. These monomers are prepared by the DCC-mediated esterification reaction between 4-[11-(4-vinylphenoxy)undecyloxy]benzoic acid and a range of phenols chosen due to their proven utility in the synthesis of liquid crystals. Most members of the series display thermally stable (enantiotropic) nematic phases, although a few give only monotropic nematic phases. By incorporating the (S)-2-methylbutyl side chain, monomers that exhibit the chiral nematic phase can be obtained. Predictably, monomers derived from phenols containing an additional ring as substituent (e.g. 4-cyano-4'-hydroxybiphenyl) display relatively high transition temperatures. In contrast, monomers derived from simple 4-n-alkylphenols possess a nematic phase, which is accessible at moderate temperatures. In addition, a eutectic mixture derived from these monomers has a melting point only just above room temperature, which is an advantage for the fabrication of robust films via the in situ photopolymerization process. Standard free radical polymerization of a number of these monomers provides side chain liquid crystal polymers, SCLCPs, with mesophases that are stable over a wide temperature range. For a homologous series of SCLCPs containing a terminal n-alkyl chain on the mesogenic group, an unexpected but distinct odd-even effect is observed.     

Linear viscoelasticity of side chain liquid crystal polymer

Small amplitude oscillatory shear has been used to study thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymers that have mesogenic groups pendant to flexible backbones. The polymers studied form nematic and smectic glasses, enabling viscoelastic response to be studied over a wide range of frequencies using time-temperature superposition. In contrast to main chain liquid-crystalline polymers, the nematic side chain polymers exhibit linear viscoelastic response over a wide range of strain amplitudes that is independent of thermal and shear histories. Viscoelastic response is very sensitive to smectic-nematic and smectic-isotropic transitions, but insensitive to the nematic-isotropic transition, as time-temperature superposition applies across this transition. We compare viscoelastic data with diffusion data by calculating the time τ that it takes a polymer to diffuse a distance equal to its coil size R (τ=R₂/D). At frequencies lower than 1/τ side chain polymers in their nematic show the terminal response characteristic of viscoelastic liquids. In their smectic, they are still strongly viscoelastic at frequencies lower than 1/τ and approach the terminal response of a viscoelastic solid at the lowest frequencies. Implications of such behaviour are discussed.     

Direct observation of the main-chain conformation of a combined liquid-crystal polymer

The conformation of the main-chain (backbone) of a combined main-chain/side-chain liquid crystalline polymer has been qualitatively determined by small angle neutron scattering in the oriented nematic, the smectic A and the smectic C phases. The polymer backbone presents only a weak anisotropy, of prolate shape, in the nematic and the smectic C phases. A stronger reorientation of the backbones in the direction of the applied magnetic field is measured for the S_A phase. However, this anisotropy remains small compared to the stretching of a main-chain liquid crystal polymer and the smectic structure results apparently from side-chain ordering. On the other hand, hydrodynamic measurements show that the combined polymer, in solvent, is as flexible as a polystyrene chain. This result is compatible with an explanation for the weak observed anisotropy.     

Synthesis and characterization of side-chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes containing 4-alkanyloxyphenyl trans-4-alkylcyclohexanoate side groups

The synthesis and characterization of nine polysiloxanes containing 4-alkanyloxyphenyl trans-4-alkylcyclohexane side groups are described. Six monomers which contain a pentenyloxy of a hexenyloxy flexible spacer display a nematic mesophase, while the other three monomers which contain an undecenyloxy flexible spacer display nematic, smetic A and smectic E mesophases. All synthesized polymers present two smectic mesophases except one containing 4-hexanyloxyphenyl trans-4-n-butylcyclohexanoate side groups presents one smectic mesophase and one containing 4-undecanyloxyphenyl trans-4-n-pentylcyclohexanoate side groups presents three smectic mesophases. Trans-cis isomerization of mesogens and side chain crystallization did not occur for any of the synthesized polymers.     

Anisotropy of non-mesogenic polymer networks dispersed in a liquid crystal matrix

We report here original results characterizing in situ the interactions between a smectic liquid crystal phase and a polymer network dispersed in it. These results have been obtained by neutron scattering on smectic liquid crystal (8CB) samples containing a physical network of 1.5wt% polymer. The samples were polymerized in the isotropic, or in the smectic A phases. For the first time it is experimentally proved that the polymerization of non-mesogenic monomers in an aligned smectic A matrix induces anisotropy in the resulting network. The network becomes elongated along the liquid crystal director. When the polymerization is carried out in the isotropic phase the polymer network has an isotropic distribution even if a magnetic field, which orients the liquid crystal director, is later applied. On the other hand, studies show that after several thermal cycles, the liquid crystal orientational order still remained. Without other external constraints, the polymer network freezes the alignment of the liquid crystal. It is probably imposed by pendant reticulates on the diffuse liquid crystal-polymer interfaces.     

Synthesis and characterization of new chiral mesogenic monomers

New mesogenic monomers carrying substituted biphenylyl rings linked to acryloyl or methacryloyl moieties through straight or chiral flexible spacers have been synthesized. All the investigated monomers, independent of the side group chirality, have been found to form ordered smectic phases, most probably of the S₁ type. The asymmetric methyl substitution on the flexible spacer leads to an expansion of the temperature range of mesophase stability. The chiral monomers induce a helical structure when mixed with appropriate nematogens. The fingerprint texture of a contact mixture of the chiral methacrylate prepared in this work, with a nematic methacrylate synthesized previously, has been found not to change after UV-initiated polymerization.     

Synthesis and characterization of 4‐arm star side‐chain liquid crystalline polymers containing azobenzene with different terminal substituents via ATRP

4‐Arm star side‐chain liquid crystalline (LC) polymers containing azobenzene with different terminal substituents were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Tetrafunctional initiator prepared by the esterification between pentaerythritol and 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide was utilized to initiate the polymerization of 6‐[4‐(4‐methoxyphenylazo)phenoxy]hexyl methacrylate (MMAzo) and 6‐[4‐(4‐ethoxyphenylazo)phenoxy]hexyl methacrylate (EMAzo), respectively. The 4‐arm star side‐chain LC polymer with p‐methoxyazobenzene moieties exhibits a smectic and a nematic phase, while that with p‐ethoxyazobenzene moieties shows only a nematic phase, which derives of different terminal substituents. The star polymers have similar LC behavior to the corresponding linear homopolymers, whereas transition temperatures decrease slightly. Both star polymers show photoresponsive isomerization under the irradiation with UV–vis light. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3342–3348, 2007     

Synthesis and properties of phenyl benzoate-based and biphenyl-based liquid crystalline thiol-ene monomers

Novel phenyl benzoate-based and biphenyl-based liquid crystalline thiol-ene monomers were synthesized and their properties investigated. By varying the bridging unit and spacer length, the type of mesophase can be tuned from the low ordered nematic and smectic A phase in the case of the phenyl benzoate-based monomers, to the highly ordered crystal E phase for the biphenyl-based monomers and their corresponding bromo precursors. We investigated the degree of order of the phenyl benzoate-based materials using the Haller method. Possible premature polymerization of these monomers was examined by size exclusion chromatography. The materials exhibit low transition temperatures and a high stability at typical handling times and temperatures. Consequently, these monomers are useful for in situ polymerization with anisotropic inert solvents, which could potentially lead to new architectures and enhanced electro-optical properties of devices. The use of the biphenyl-based monomers appears to be of limited use for polymerizations in anisotropic solution. However, as a result of their intrinsic high degree of molecular order, these monomers form a particularly interesting class of reactive materials that can be bulk polymerized to give main chain polymers with highly defined mechanical and optical or electro-optical properties.     

Synthesis and properties of phenyl benzoate-based and biphenyl-based liquid crystalline thiol-ene monomers

Novel phenyl benzoate-based and biphenyl-based liquid crystalline thiol-ene monomers were synthesized and their properties investigated. By varying the bridging unit and spacer length, the type of mesophase can be tuned from the low ordered nematic and smectic A phase in the case of the phenyl benzoate-based monomers, to the highly ordered crystal E phase for the biphenyl-based monomers and their corresponding bromo precursors. We investigated the degree of order of the phenyl benzoate-based materials using the Haller method. Possible premature polymerization of these monomers was examined by size exclusion chromatography. The materials exhibit low transition temperatures and a high stability at typical handling times and temperatures. Consequently, these monomers are useful for in situ polymerization with anisotropic inert solvents, which could potentially lead to new architectures and enhanced electro-optical properties of devices. The use of the biphenyl-based monomers appears to be of limited use for polymerizations in anisotropic solution. However, as a result of their intrinsic high degree of molecular order, these monomers form a particularly interesting class of reactive materials that can be bulk polymerized to give main chain polymers with highly defined mechanical and optical or electro-optical properties.