Phase Transitions and Orientational Behavior of Comb-Shaped Liquid Crystalline Polymers with Polar Terminal Groups in the Mesogenic Side-chain

Abstract

Comb-shaped liquid crystalline polymers, having a polar terminal group in the mesogenic side chain, were synthesized by the radical polymerization. Thermal properties and orientational behavior of the comb-shaped liquid crystalline polymers were examined. The comb-shaped liquid crystalline polymers (PM6-CF3) with a trifluoromethyl terminal group formed smectic A and smectic B phases. The focal conic fan textures were observed in the smectic A and smectic B phases. The X-ray diffraction pattern in the smectic A phase was composed of the sharp inner and the broad outer reflections. In the smectic B phase, the X-ray sharp outer reflection was observed as well as the X-ray sharp inner reflections.