The Synthesis and Characterization of Spacer‐Free Liquid Crystal Polyrotaxane by Virtue of the Mobility of Threaded α‐Cyclodextrins. Issue 5 (22nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Aiju; Yan, Zhi; Ye, Lin; Zhang, Aiying; Feng, Zengguo
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular chemistry and physics. Volume 217:Issue 5(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 646
• Page End: 653
• Publication Date: 2016-01-22
• Subjects: mobility -- nematic phase -- polyrotaxane -- spacer free; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Synthetic products -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1002/macp.201500415
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-1352

Abstract

Abstract : A novel spacer‐free liquid crystalline polyrotaxane (LCPR) is synthesized by directly grafting 4‐phenylazobenzoyl chloride onto the hydroxyl of threaded α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) as the side‐chain. It is found that LCPR can form nematic LC phase above 180 °C or under the concentration of 5–0.2 wt% in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution. The mechanisms of formation of thermotropic and lyotropic LC phase are proposed, respectively, which show the mobility of both threaded α‐CDs and substituted azo‐mesogens is responsible for the formation of LC phase. This mechanism is further demonstrated by the formation of crystalline phase under UV radiation, which is characterized by polarizing optical microphotograph and UV measurements. Abstract : This paper prepares a spacer‐free liquid crystalline polyrotaxane which can form nematic LC phase above 180 °C or under the concentration of 5–0.2 wt% in DMSO solution by virtue of the mobility of threaded β‐CDs thereon.