THEORY OF DOMAIN BOUNDARY EFFECTS IN A PHASE-SEPARATED MIXTURE OF POLYMER AND LIQUID-CRYSTAL

We calculate the end results of a phase-separation process in which a nematic liquid crystal is expelled from solution in a polymerizing sol vent. Our model combines the essential features of the Flory-Huggins, Maier-Saupe, and Hillert models, and contains terms related to the nat ure of the anchoring process at the polymer-liquid-crystal interface. We find that there is a minimum size of droplet below which no nematic ordering can occur, and that in the absence of-the effects due to cur vature of the interface, homeotropic anchoring gives rise to a lower s urface free energy than does planar anchoring. (C) 1996 American Insti tute of Physics.