Molecular Engineering of Liquid Crystal Polymers by Living Polymerization. XXIII. Synthesis and Characterization of AB Block Copolymers Based on ω-[(4-Cyano-4′ -Biphenyl)-oxy]alkyl Vinyl Ether, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorodecyl Vinyl Ether, and 2-(4-Blphenyloxy)ethyl Vinyl Ether with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorodecyl Vinyl Ether

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of AB block copolymers based on ω-[(4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]alkyl vinyl ether (6-n), with alkyl being ethyl (6-2), propyl (6-3), nonyl (6-9), and undecanyl (6-11), with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyl vinyl ether (CF8), poly[(-6-n)-b-CF8]X/Y (where X/Y refers to the weight ratio of the two segments), and of 2-(4-biphenyloxy)ethyl vinyl ether (BEVE) with 1H,-1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyl vinyl ether, poly[BEVE-b-CF8]X/Y. They were prepared by living cationic polymerization and exhibit a narrow molecular weight distribution. All block copolymers display a micro-phase-separated morphology when the A segment is in the liquid crystalline phase. Block copolymers based on 6-2, 6-3, and BEVE with CF8 also exhibit a microphase-separated morphology in the melt phase of A and B blocks.