LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS WITH TWO-DIMENSIONAL MESOGENIC UNITS

A series of 'liquid crystal polymers with two-dimensional mesogeuic units' were synthesized by the polycondensations of the monomer 2, 5-dihydroxybenzylidene-4-phenetidine with a diacid chloride selected from a series of α, ω-bis(4-chloroformylphenyloxy)carbonylalkues. This is the first series of polymers reported under the newly proposed concept 'liquid crystal polymers with two dimensional mesogenic units'.

SYNTHESIS OF A GROUP OF MESOGEN JACKETED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS

A group of the mesogen jacketed liquid crystal polymers based on the monomers 2,5-bis (4-substituted benzoyl)oxystyrenes are synthesized. The substituents include alkoxy, alkyl, and cyano groups. The synthesis and the primary characterization of the liquid crystal phase of the monomers and the polymers are described. While some of the monomers give smectic textures the polymers are found to be nematic above their melting or glass transition temperatures. Interestingly the unsubstituted monomer and its polymer poly 2,5-di( benzoyloxy ) styrene are also liquid crystalline. The single crystal structure of one of the monomers is also discussed.

STUDY ON LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS WITH TWO-DIMENSIONAL MESOGENIC UNITS

A series of liquid crystalline polymers with two-dimensional mesogenic units were synthesized by solution polycondensation at low temperature. All the polymers were liquid crystalline. The melting temperature T;（except that with substituent of methoxy） and the clearing temperature T;of the polymers change regularly with varying of the length of the alkyl substituent groups.

NITROXIDE-MEDIATED FREE RADICAL SYNTHESIS OF MESOGEN-JACKETED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS

The first TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of liquid crystalline monomer, 2, 5-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl]styrene (MPCS), was carried out at 130 degrees C with BPO as an initiator. The molecular weight of the polymer can be varied from rather low values to high values while maintaining narrow polydispersity. It was observed that the polymerization of MPCS proceeded much faster than that of styrene. A tentative explanation for this fast polymerization was suggested.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS WITH T-SHAPED TWO-DIMENSIONAL MESOGENIC UNITS (Ⅱ)

A series of liquid crystalline polymers with T-shaped two-dimensional mesogenic unitswere synthesized via low temperature solution polycondensation of 2-(4'-alkoxy-phenyl)hydroquinone with various diacyl dichlorides. The polymers were found to be nematic andshown thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviors through observations using DSC, polarizedmicroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The melting temperature T_m and the isotropizationtemperature T_i of the polymers change regularly with varying of the monomer structures.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS WITH T-SHAPED TWO-DIMENSIONAL MESOGENIC UNITS

Two series of new liquid crystalline polymers with T-shaped two-dimensional mesogenic units were synthesized by low temperature solution polycondensations of 4-substituted N-2, 5-dihydroxybenzylidene aniline monomers with different diacyl dichlorides. The polymers were found to be nematic and shown liquid crystalline behavior. The melting temperature T-m and the clearing temperature T-i of the polymers change regularly with varying of the monomer structures.

Electrically Driven Crosslinked Liquid Crystal Polymers

Crosslinked liquid crystal polymers(CLCPs)are smart materials that combine the anisotropy of liquid crystals(LCs)with the elasticity of rubber.When subjected to external stimuli,they exhibit exceptional two-way shape memory behavior.Among the various stimuli,electrical energy has the advantages of cleanliness,stability,and high controllability;hence,it is widely used for controlling CLCP-based soft actuators,thus presenting potential for application in diverse,complex scenarios.By combining electrically driven mode and sensor equipment,precise control of CLCPs can be achieved,and the electrically driven CLCPs can accomplish more intricate and sophisticated tasks.This study presents a comprehensive review of electrically driven CLCPs with various driving mechanisms,including the electroclinic effect of ferroelectric CLCPs,the reorganization of LC molecules,the Maxwell effect of dielectric CLCPs,and the Joule heating effect of electrothermally responsive CLCP systems.In addition,a detailed analysis of the applications of electrically driven CLCPs in various research fields is presented.Finally,the current challenges in the field of electrically driven CLCP technology are summarized,along with predictions for future prospects.

DIPOLE POLARIZATION RELAXATION AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF MAIN-AND SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

Molecular mobility in thermotropic polyesters and side-chain polymers with different struc-ture of mesogens and spacers has been studied by dielectrical method in dilutesolutions. The results made it possible to establish the multiplicity of dielectric relaxationtransitions which reflects the small- and large-scale types of molecular motion. It was shownthat dielectric relaxation processes occurring in accordance with local mechanism (relaxationtimes 10^(-9)--10^(-7)s. and the activation energy 10--50kJ/mol) are due to the mobility of kineticchain elements of different length within a monomer units. It was found that the dielectricrelaxation process connected with a large-scale form of molecular motion (relaxation times10^(-5)--10^(-6)s. and the activation energy 100kJ/mol) did not depend on the molecular massbut was infiuenced by factors changing the conformational state of the macromolecule. It isestablished tha the cooperative reorientation mobility of associated mesogenic fragments isthe source of the large-scale process.

Restudy of the unusual phase behavior of the mesogen-jacketed liquid crystal polymers

A series of poly{2,5-bis[(4-butoxyphenyl)-oxycarbonyl]styrenes}(PBPCS)with low mo-lecular weight distribution was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP).The me-somorphic properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),polarizing optical microscopy(POM)and rheometer.PBPCS showed the phase transition from isotropic into liquid crystal(LC)phase,and the LC phase formed at high temperature and disappeared in the subsequent cooling procedure.Using the WAXD fiber pattern,the phase structure of the PBPCS at higher tem-perature showed hexagonal columnar nematic phase.Experimental results demonstrated that the driving force of the entropy is an important factor during the unusual LC phase formation of PBPCS.

"LIVING" FREE RADICAL SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL RODCOIL DIBLOCK COPOLYMERS WITH POLYSTYRENE AND MESOGEN-JACKETED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER SEGMENTS

The synthesis of rod-coil diblock copolymers was achieved for the first time by TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of styrene and 2,5-bis [(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl] styrene(MPCS). The block architecture of the two diblock copolymers thus prepared, MPCS-b-St(5400/2400) and MPCS-b-St(10800/8700), was confirmed by GPC, DSC studies and the formation of multimolecular micelles. (Author abstract) 10 Refs.

Electrically tunable holographic polymer templated blue phase liquid crystal grating

In this paper, we demonstrate an alternative approach to fabricating an electrically tunable holographic polymer tem- plated blue phase liquid crystal grating. This grating is obtained by preforming a polymer template comprised of periodic fringes, and then refilling it with a blue phase liquid crystal. Compared with conventional holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal gratings, our grating can remarkably reduce its switching voltage from 200 V to 43 V while maintaining a sub-millisecond response time. The holographic polymer templated blue phase liquid crystal （HPTBPLC） grating is free from electrode patterning, thus leading to a lower cost and more flexible applications.

SYNTHESIS OF A NOVEL "MESOGEN-JACKETED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER" BASED ON VINYLTEREPHTHALIC ACID

Poly{2,5-bis[(p-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl]styrene}was successfully synthesized.This new polymer has a structure characteristic of mesogen-jacketed liquid cyrstalline polymers(MJLCPs)and does form a liquid crystal phase above its glass transition.It thus became the starting member of a new series of MJLCPs.The synthesis of the polymer as well as the liquid crystalline properties of the polymer and its monomer was discussed.A brief comparison of the new monomer and polymer with some previously reported counterparts was also included.

Kinetics investigations for holographic Bragg grating based on polymer dispersed liquid crystal

This paper investigates the monomer kinetics of polymer dispersed liquid crystal （PDLC） grating. Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectra are used in the studies of photoreaction kinetics. The results indicate that there is a relative stable stage arises after a very short initial stage. Based on FTIR studies, the monomer diffusion equation is deduced and necessary numerical simulations are carried out to analyse the monomer conversion which is an important point to improve phase separation structure of PDLC grating. Some simulation results have a good agreement with experimental data. In addition, the effects induced by monomer diffusion constant D and diffusion-polymerization-ratio rate R are discussed. Results show that monomer conversion can be improved by increasing value of D. Besides, a good equilibrium state （R = 1） is more beneficial to the diffusion of monomer which is important in the process of phase separation.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MAIN CHAIN AROMATIC LIQUID CRYSTAL COPOLYESTERS WITH X-SHAPED AND ROD-SHAPED MESOGENIC UNITS

A series of main chain liquid crystal aromatic copolyesters with X-shaped and rod-shaped mesogenic units were synthesized via solution condensation polymerizations of 4,4'-(alpha,omega-octanedioyloxy)-dibenzoyl dichlorides with 2,5-bis(p-octanoxy benzoyloxy)-hydroquinone and diphenol. All of the copolyesters showed thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviors through observations using DSC, polarized microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The melting point (T-m) and the isotropization temperature (T-i) change regularly with varying the content of diphenol unit in the copolymers.

STUDY ON MAGNETIC FIELD-INDUCED 0RIENTATI0N OF A CHIRAL SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYACRYLATE USING INFRARED DICHROISM

Magnetic field-induced orientation of a chiral side chain liquid crystalline polyacrylate(P-11) was studied by using IR dichroism. For the investigated P-11, it has been shown thatthe magnetic alignment takes place over the entire temperature range between its meltingpoint and clearing point and the orientation level is strongly temperature-dependent, thedevelopment with time of the magnetic orieatation follows an exponeotial-type relation,and the smectic phase state influences the thermal relaxation process in the absence of themagnetic field.

SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYSILOXANES WITH MESOGENIC STILBENE SIDE GROUPS

A variety of mesomorphic side-chain polysiloxanes were synthesized by using hydrosilylation reaction with dicyclopentadienylplatinum(II) (DPPC) as the catalyst. The mesogenic groups are derivatives of stilbene with cyano or nitro tail groups. The products were characterized by DSC, X-ray diffraction and polarizing optical microscopy (POM). All the polymers were found to have relatively low T-g and can form a smectic liquid crystal phase.

PREPARATION OF POLYMER DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTALS USING PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION

2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and styrene copolymers are prepared by photopolymerization. The electrooptical behavior and microstructure of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal films are investigated by using He-Ne laser and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. With increasing E7 content in the copolymer, droplet size increased, threshold voltage decreased.

Nonlinear Liquid Crystal Polymer and Its Applications

The transparent solid medium of a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer have a comb structure of mesogenic side chains which exhibit a nonlinear optical response of electronic origin.The main chain of the liquid crystal polymers can be selected from a number of suitable polymerized monomeric and comonomeric structures such as polyvinyl,polysiloxane,polyoxyalkylene, polyester etc.The electrooptic light modulator is provided,which have potential to using in the systems of laser modulation and deflection,and information control in optical circuitry etc.

Effect of Polymer Network Morphology on the Performance of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) Composite Films

The effects of the morphologies of liquid crystal (LC) droplets left in polymer network on the performance of polymer dispersed liquid crystal composite films were investigated.By adjusting the relative content range of the crosslinking and diluents,the morphologies of polymer network can be changed.Therefore,the properties of PDLC composite films with imparity polymer morphologies were obtained by experiments and the finite element simulation.Results of the experimental and finite element simulation showed that the electro-optical properties of PDLC composite films were inversely proportional to the domain size of the polymer network and the mechanical properties were proportional to the domain size of the polymer network.