In-situ monitoring of a film preparation process for hydroxypropyl cellulose cast from isotropic aqueous solution using microdielectrometry

Solid cast films with polydomain textures were prepared on a glass substrate with transparent interdigitated electrodes from an isotropic aqueous solution of hydroxypropyl cellulose via its liquid crystalline phase under the sinusoidal electric field with small amplitude and frequency of 0.05 V µm^-1 and 10⁵ Hz, respectively. The process was monitored using microdielectrometry as well as polarised optical microscopy. The apparent dielectric constant ε_r' and loss factor ε_r' sensitively changed with time depending on the process conditions. On the other hand, the logarithmic relation between ε_r' and ε_r' showed a single curve, when they were normalised by an effective portion of the electrostatic energy density estimated using each solid-film thickness. The conversion to the solid film was estimated during the process based on the concentration dependences of ε_r' and ε_r'. Characteristic times were reported for the onset of the biphasic phase, fully developed cholesteric phase and termination of the process.