Main-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polyethers

本研究涉及一类新型聚合物的合成和性能，即聚醚，表现出液晶行为。聚醚的功能将放在所谓的聚合物的主链上。首席研究员最近的工作表明，这种聚合物既有热致性又有溶致性。本研究的主要工作将是合成这种类型的各种聚醚。我们将努力更好地理解含有柔性“间隔剂”（如脂肪族或低聚氧乙烯基）的液晶聚合物的结构-性能关系。还计划对环状和双轴向列相液晶聚合物的合成进行探索性实验。

This research deals with the synthesis and properties of a new class of polymers, i.e., polyethers that exhibit liquid- crystalline behavior. The polyether functionality will be placed in the so-called main chain of the polymers. Recent work by the principal investigator has shown that such polymers are both thermotropic and lyotropic. The major effort of this research will be directed toward the synthesis of a variety of polyethers of this type. An effort will be made to derive a better understanding of structure-property relationships in liquid- crystalline polymers containing flexible "spacers," such as aliphatic or oligooxyethylenic groups. Exploratory experiments are also planned on the synthesis of ring-shaped and biaxial nematic liquid-crystalline polymers.