Synthesis and characterization of biaxial nematic side chain polymers with laterally attached mesogenic groups

Abstract

AbstractThe synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline side chain polymers with mesogenic groups laterally attached to the polymer main chain are described. By variation of the terminal group, mesogenic moiety or spacer length, a change in the glass transition temperature, the nematic to isotropic transformation temperature and the stability of the nematic phase can be achieved. With increasing length of terminal groups, a distinct odd‐even effect of the nematic to isotropic phase transformation temperature and also a strong decrease of the glass transition temperature is observed. Macroscopic homeotropic alignment can be achieved in an electric or magnetic field. Conoscopic investigations show optical biaxial behavior of the nematic phase. A chiral nematic copolymer is the first example of a thermotropic biaxial cholesteric phase.