Phase Transitions in Narrow Molecular Mass Samples of Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymers: Molecular Mass Dependence

Abstract

The molecular mass dependence of phase transitions in narrow molecular mass samples of smectic side-chain poly(vinyl ether)s is discussed in this paper with reference to earlier data by Stevens et al and Percec et al on narrow fractions of smectic side-chain polysiloxanes and polymethacrylates. The constant heat of isotropization and the proportionality between glass temperature (T sub g) and reciprocal degree of polymerization (DP) observed for polysiloxanes and polymethacrylates indicate that the order within the smectic layers and the penetration of the flexible main chains of the smectic layers was not appreciably affected by changes in DP. The poly(vinyl ether)s on the other hand exhibited a pronounced decrease in Delta h sub i with increasing DP and a more complex correlation between T sub g and DP indicative of an increasing disturbance by the flexible main chains of the smectic layers on increasing DP. These differences between polysiloxanes/polymethacrylates and poly(vinyl ethers) s were also found to have profound effects on the DP dependence of the isotropization temperature.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 30, 1991
Accession Number
ADA242354

Entities

People

  • A. Hult
  • H. Johnson
  • U. W. Gedde
  • Virgil Percec

Organizations

  • Case Western Reserve University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Classification
  • Enthalpy
  • Entropy
  • Equations
  • Experimental Data
  • Fittings
  • Glass Transition Temperature
  • Heat Energy
  • Macromolecules
  • Military Research
  • Phase
  • Phase Separation
  • Phase Transformations
  • Polymerization
  • Polymers
  • Transition Temperature

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Seismology