Well-Defined Liquid Crystal Gels from Telechelic Polymers

摘要: Well-defined liquid crystal networks with controlled molecular weight between cross-links and cross-link functionality were prepared by "click" cross-linking of telechelic polymers produced ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The readily swell in a small molecule crystal, 5CB, to form LC gels high swelling ratios. These exhibit fast, reversible, low-threshold optic switching under applied electric fields when they are unconstrained electrodes. For given field, the from shorter showed reduced degree than their counterparts made longer polymer strands. reported approach provides control over important parameters for networks, such as length network strands cross-links, cross-linker functionality, mesogen density. Therefore, it allows detailed study relationships structure macroscopic properties these scientifically technologically interesting networks.