Liquid crystalline polymers: The effects of chain disruptors

Abstract

The effect of chain disruptors, both novel and existing, as comonomers on the transition temperatures of liquid crystalline polymers was investigated. Novel comonomers prepared from cost effective natural materials such as cardanol and copolymerised with 4-hydroxy benzoic acid (4-HBA) showed a decrease in transition temperature, but the polyesters started decomposing prior to melting except the bromine containing polyester. Copolyesters of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4-HyPA) and 4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (4-HyPP) with 4-HBA showed fairly good nematic texture with comparatively high thermal stability indicating possibility for further studies. The effects of azophenyl group and di-amide links were also investigated.