Orientation analysis of uniaxially drawn polycarbonate films, doped with fluorescent molecules, by UV-dichroism, fluorescence polarization and birefringence

Abstract

Bis-phenol-A-polycarbonate (PC) is dyed in solution with fluorescent molecules of different shapes and cast to films. Rectangular samples, cut from these films, are drawn varying draw ratio and drawing temperature. The orientation of the fluorescent probes is investigated by dichroism and fluorescence polarization, that of the polymer segments by birefringence. Hermans' orientation factors obtained by dichroism and fluorescence polarization are in good agreement. Long rodlike fluorescent molecules exhibit greater orientation factors than smaller ones. The correlation between segmental and probe orientation is discussed. Keeping the birefringence constant, the probe orientation factors depend on drawing temperature.