Molecular design of thermotropic ionic side-chain liquid crystalline polymers

The design of ionic side chain polymeric systems which present a mesomorphi c thermotropic behaviour, is reviewed. The different ways for the introduct ion of charges in the polymeric system are described, namely ionic bonds, h ydrogen bonds and also the use of low molecular salts. The mesomorphic phas es identified in these polymeric systems are predominantly smectic in natur e, mainly due to the preponderant role of ionic charges in the arrangement of the different constituents of the polymer within the layers. The corresp onding structural models are described in detail to explain the thermotropi c mesomorphic behaviour. In some specific cases, nematic or columnar phases can also be obtained.