Liquid crystalline cellulose derivatives for thermally stable or reversible anisotropic polymer film

New aspects of cellulosic material science and application are related to the lyotropic liquid crystalline properties of this classical natural polymer. In this work the preparation of anisotropic polymer networks based on (hydroxypropyl) cellulose and its derivatives as well as their properties are discussed. Cellulose derivatives form liquid crystalline solutions also in polymerizable solvents, e.g. acrylic acid thus anisotropic polymeric networks can be fixed by photopolymerization. These films have been investigated with regard to their orientation birefringence and thermal stability. Some possible applications of these interesting systems are briefly shown.