Production of filaments via phase separation and polymerization
AssigneeKent State University
InventorsPeter Palffy-Muhoray, Liang-Chy Chien, Gongjian Hu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A polymerizable liquid crystalline monomer is described comprising a polymerizable first terminal group, a central portion, and a second terminal group, wherein the monomer is capable of filament formation. Filaments can form as a result of an isotropic to smectic phase transition and can subsequently be polymerized by photoinitiation, for example.
Claims15
An article of manufacture comprising a polymerized liquid crystal filament formed as a result of an isotropic to smectic phase transition, and having a repeating monomer unit represented by formula I
- wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of
- R2 is selected from hydrogen and organic groups containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;
- R3 is selected from the group consisting of a bond, —CH═CH—, benzene, oxygen, sulfur, carboxylate, and
- where Y is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms;
- R4 is selected from organic groups containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;
- R5 is a cyclohexyl or an aromatic group and R6 is a polar group containing from 0 to about 18 carbon atoms.
A polymerizable liquid crystalline monomer comprising:
- wherein R1is
- R2 is selected from hydrogen and organic groups containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;
- R3 is selected from the group consisting of a bond,—CH═CH—, benzene, oxygen, sulfur, carboxylate, and
- where Y is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms;
- R4 is selected from organic groups containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms;
- R5 is a cyclohexyl or an aromatic group and R6 is a polar group containing from 0 to about 18 carbon atoms;
- with the proviso that when R6 is —CN, and when R5 is a group represented by formula (V)or formula (VI), then R3 and R4 together do not form an unsubstituted alkyl subunit;
- and
- wherein the monomer forms at least one filament as a result of a phase transition
A method of making a polymerized liquid crystal filament comprising:
- providing a polymerizable liquid crystal monomer;
- mixing the monomer with a solvent such that a resulting solution exhibits separation from an isotropic phase to a smectic phase;
- inducing filament formation;
- and
- polymerizing the filament.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.