Preparation of ordered, crosslinked and thermally stable liquid crystalline poly(vinyl ether) films

Abstract

Highly ordered liquid crystalline polymer films have been prepared by cationic polymerization of a mesogenic vinyl ether monomer, oriented in its mesophase. The degree of orientation of the mesogenic groups was calculated from wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements. The maximum value of the Herman orientation function was found to be 0.94. Thermally stabilized ordered films were prepared by polymerization of an oriented monomer mixture, consisting of a mesogenic monofunctional monomer and a mesogenic bifunctional monomer. The films maintained orientation up to temperatures of 200°C. © 1992.