Abstract
A classical side-chain liquid crystalline polymer (SCLCP) named poly [ω-(4′-n-octadecyloxybiphenyl-4-oxy) hexyl methacrylate (PM6BiC18) have been synthesized. The polymer and its monomer (M6BiC18) organogels were prepared by introducing PM6BiC18 or M6BiC18 into common organic solvents. The minimum gelation concentration (MGC) and gel-to-sol transition temperature (TGS) were tested by the “tube-testing method”. In the same organic solvent, it was found that the TGS of gels based on PM6BiC18 was higher than the gels formed by M6BiC18. The microscopic morphology of the gels was carefully investigated by SEM and polarizing microscope. Experimental results revealed that the M6BiC18 gels are formed by the crystallization of fibers. However, the polymer gels are formed by uniform spherical self-assembly structures. Further studies discussed by UV–vis spectroscopy, the results implied that the π–π stacking interaction of the biphenyl mesogens might be the key factor for guiding the self-assembly processes and the polymer gel formation.
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