Synthesis and Mesomorphic Behavior of Chiral Liquid Crystalline Elastomers Derived from (S)-(-)-2-Methyl-1-Butanol

Abstract

The synthesis of new chiral monomer 4-((4-(allyloxy) benzoyl) oxy) phenyl (S)-4-(2-methylbutoxy) benzoate (Mch), crosslinking agent hexane-1,6-diyl diacrylate (CA), and liquid crystal polymer elastomers (E1-E7) containing (S)-(-)-2-Methyl-1-butyl group is presented. The phase behavior and mesomorphism of the polymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and x-ray diffraction. The effect of the content of crosslinking units on the phase behavior and mesomorphism of elastomers was discussed. The chiral LCEs (E1-E7) exhibited elasticity, reversible phase transitions, and cholesteric Grandjean texture. The experimental results demonstrated that the glass transition temperature and isotropic temperature of Chiral LCEs decreased with increasing the content of crosslinking agent, but the cholesteric phase was not disturbed.