Theoretical predictions for side-chain liquid-crystal polymers and comparison to experiment

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-134-47· OSTI ID:6643358

Dowell, F

This paper presents results from a new unique microscopic molecular theory for side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers (LCPs) in the nematic (N) and multiple smectic-A (SA) LC phases and the isotropic (I) liquid phase. There are no ad hoc or arbitrarily adjustable parameters in this theory. The agreement between the theoretical and experimental values for various properties (including transition temperatures and quadratic characteristic radii) is very good (relative deviations between 0% and less than 6.2%). The theoretical results also show--for the first time--that the N and I phases for these LCPs involve the packing of plate-like sections of backbones and side chains and that the local bilayer SA phase involves packing of side-chains within a plate-like section. This type of packing is predicted to be typical for side-chain LCPs. This theory can predict--for the first time--whether the side chains of a molecule pack on the same or alternating opposite sides of the backbone and whether side chains on different molecules interdigitate (overlap) with each other. 13 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6643358
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-88-3884; CONF-881155-12; ON: DE89003578
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603 -- Materials-- Properties
656002* -- Condensed Matter Physics-- General Techniques in Condensed Matter-- (1987-)
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRYSTALS
DATA
FLUIDS
INFORMATION
LENNARD-JONES POTENTIAL
LIQUID CRYSTALS
LIQUIDS
NUMERICAL DATA
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLYMERIZATION
POLYMERS
POTENTIALS
THEORETICAL DATA
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE