Anisotropic networks obtained by in situ cationic polymerization of liquid-crystalline divinyl ethers

Abstract Anisotropic networks were obtained by photoinduced cationic polymerization of liquid-crystalline (LC) divinyl ethers. For this purpose two new LC divinyl ethers were synthesized. Transition temperatures, phase behaviour and the temperature dependence of the order parameter for the two systems were determined before polymerization. Subsequently the polymerization of the system was induced upon obtaining long-range uniaxial orientation of the molecules in the nematic state. In this way highly oriented networks were obtained. These anisotropic networks showed temperature-stable optical properties. Thermomechanical properties were found also to be anisotropic and highly dependent on relaxation mechanisms effective within the networks.

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