NEW COMB-SHAPED POLYESTERS AND POLYAMIDES - SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, ANDPROPERTIES

The synthesis of a new type of polymer is reported. The synthesized po lyesters and polyamides contain mesogenic groups both in the main chai n and as pendant groups in the side chains. The structure of the films prepared from these polymers was examined using X-ray scattering. Com pact arrangement of the side chains belonging to the neighboring backb ones was found to give rise to a layer structure. The axes of the back bones and of the side chains lie within these layers, and the distance between the neighboring backbones is controlled by the length of the side chains. However, sterical hindrance prevents the side chains of d ifferent macromolecules from interdigitation.