Synthesis and properties of cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomers

• Published in: Colloid and polymer science Vol. 282; no. 10; pp. 1077 - 1082
• Main Authors: JIA, Ying-Gang, ZHANG, Bao-Yan, SUN, Qiu-Ju, CHANG, He-Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.08.2004; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical modifications; Crosslinking; Elastomers; Exact sciences and technology; Inorganic and organomineral polymers; Liquid crystals; Monomers; Networks; Phase transformations; Phase transitions; Physicochemistry of polymers; Synthesis; Temperature; Texture; Optically active polymer; Liquid crystalline; Thermotropic state; Elastomers; Crosslinking; Hydrosilylation; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Phase transitions; Side chain; Polysiloxane; Liquid crystal polymers; Preparation; Cholesteric crystals; Silicone elastomer
• ISSN: 0303-402X; 1435-1536
• DOI: 10.1007/s00396-003-1035-6

The synthesis of new side-chain cholesteric liquid crystalline elastomers, containing the flexible non-mesogenic crosslinking agent M-1 and the cholesteric monomer M-2, is described by a one-step hydrosilication reaction. The chemical structures of the monomers and network polymers obtained were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Their mesogenic properties and phase behavior were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and x-ray diffraction measurements. The influence of the crosslinking units on the phase behavior is discussed. The network polymers showed elasticity, reversible phase transitions, and cholesteric Grandjean texture. The experimental results demonstrated that the glass transition temperatures and isotropization temperatures of network elastomers decreased as the concentration of crosslinking units was increased, but the cholesteric phase was not disturbed.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]