Abstract
Liquid crystalline polyurethanes (LCPUs) having amino groups were synthesized from amphiphilic liquid crystalliine compounds. Their thermal and orientational properties were examined by polarizing microscopic observation, DSC and the X-ray diffraction. The amphiphilic liquid crystalline compounds formed smectic and nematic phases. The smectic layer structures with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic sublayer were formed through a microphase segregation. LCPUs synthesized from the amphiphilic liquid crystalline compounds exhibited a nematic phase. A bending behavior of fibers and films of LCPUs was observed through UV light irradiations due to photoisomerization of azobenzene moieties.