| Abstract: | The synthesis of a new liquid crystalline block copolymer consisting of a polystyrene block and a side-chain liquid crystalline siloxane block is reported. The synthetic approach described is based on the anionic polymerization of styrene and cyclic trimethyltrivinyltrisiloxane monomers, followed by functionalization of the siloxane block with side chain mesogens. The siloxane block has a Tg well below 25°C and is designed to exhibit a chiral smectic C* phase at room temperature. These block copolymers are the first side-chain liquid crystalline block copolymers which contain both a high Tg glassy block and a low Tg liquid crystalline block. |
