Extended-chain lamellar structure and chain segregation in lyotropic liquid crystals of poly{5,7-dodecadiyne-1,12-diol bis[((4-butoxycarbonyl)methyl)urethane

Abstract

The supermolecular structure of thin films of poly{5,7-dodecadiyne-1,12-diol bis[((4-butoxycarbonyl)methyl)urethane]) (P-4-BCMU), a soluble polydiacetylene, and mixtures of two P-4-BCMUs with different average lengths of molecules were investigated by means of TEM. An extended-chain lamella is observed in thin films of the polymer and mixtures. The influences of the weight fraction of a component and the difference between the average lengths of molecules on the supermolecular structure are discussed. Models describing structural features of extended-chain lamellae for the polymer and mixtures are suggested. The chain segregation according to the distribution of the extended-chain length of the rodlike macromolecules and the formation of the extended-chain lamella are discussed