Effect of Topology and Composition on Liquid Crystal Order and Self-Assembly Performances Driven by Asynchronously Controlled Grafting Density

Abstract

A series of thermo-tunable liquid crystal block copolymers (LCBCs) with well-designed architectures were successfully synthesized. Linear/star poly[4-(4-vinylphenyl)-1-butene]-block-polybutadiene (PVSt-co-PB) moieties were obtained using living anionic copolymerization of 4-(4-vinylphenyl)-1-butene with butadiene, and topological [PVSt-co-PB]-LCBCs were generated through the adherence of mesogenic moiety via facile hydrosilylation. The PVSt LC block had well-defined grafting densities of approximately 100%, 70%, and 40%, whereas the PB LC block had an asynchronously tunable grafting density. This work included comprehensive studies on their self-assembly and yielded some interesting results. The influences of topologies and compositions on the phase transition behaviors and polarized optical performances of the resulting LCBCs that were driven by asynchronously controlled grafting density were carefully illustrated. The LCBCs with controlled molecular weight (MW) and narrow PDI showed wider LC phase range...