2,3-butanediol based liquid crystalline random copolyester, synthesis and characterisation

Abstract

A copolyester was synthesized using 2,3-butanediol as one of the diols with phthaloyl chloride as Diacid chloride. 2,5-ditertiary butyl quinol, was used as another diols for the synthesis of random copolymer. A formation of copolyester was confirmed using Ultraviolet (UV), Fourier Transform Spectroscopy Infrared (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR) spectral techniques. Thermal studies were carried out using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). Hot Stage Optical Polarising Microscope (HOPM) was studied to confirm the existences of mesophase. Elemental analysis further confirms the formations for the copolymer. Morphology of the copolyesters was also characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results of the investigation confirms a relatively new entry copolymer in the family of liquid crystalline copolymers. Key words: Copolyester, thermo gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscope, characterization.