From Liquid Crystalline Molecules to Anisotropic Gels

Abstract

Two component mixtures containing liquid crystalline (LC) diacrylates and LC molecules with no reactive groups were made. Upon photopolymerization of the mixtures anisotropic networks containing LC molecules which were not chemically attached to the networks were created. in these systems the behavior of the LC molecules was found to be dominated to a large extent by the network molecules. Even when the systems were heated above the isotropic transition temperature of the LC molecules they remained partly oriented, thus contributing to the anisotropy of the system. Networks containing LC molecules were clear and did not give rise to excess scattering of light. Upon application of an electric field across the system, it turned translucent making the system suitable for display applications.