SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, AND PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF NEW FERROELECTRIC LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE MATERIALS - BLOCK-COPOLYMERS

As part of our research on new ferroelectric liquid crystalline materi als, we present the synthesis, characterization, and physical properti es of a new family of polymeric materials, namely AB block copolymers consisting of a non-liquid crystalline chain [poly(isobutyl vinyl ethe r)] and a chiral liquid crystalline block. The combination of both fea tures gives rise to the appearance of interesting effects on the prope rties of the polymers: they show the ferroelectric chiral smectic C me sophase at room temperature with low viscosities and low birefringence , due to the presence of the non-liquid crystalline chain. The chiral smectic C phase exhibits the characteristic switching under electric f ields. Its electro-optical behavior has been characterized and is diff erent than that of the parent homopolymer. The block copolymers show t he typical microphase separation of the two blocks which has been obse rved by small angle X-ray scattering.