A method for estimating interfacial tension of liquid crystal embedded in polymer matrix forming PDLC

A simple and convenient method based on sessile drop technique for measuring surface tensions of polymer and nematic liquid crystal (LC) is described. Contact angles formed by drops of probe liquids and a nematic LC on a photocurable polymer were measured. The surface energies were evaluated using the Fowkes method, Neumann's equation, and new equations developed based on Neumann's approach. The values of surface tensions were used to evaluate the interfacial interaction in term of work of adhesion between the LC and polymer. Further, the effect of dichroic dye on the extent of interaction and work of adhesion was examined by measuring contact angle in consequence of dye addition. A difference in work of adhesion between the lower and higher dye‐doped LC droplets gave an indication of affinity relationship between polymer and LC molecules. A change in work of adhesion resulted in variability of nematic director configurations inside phase separated LC droplets embedded in polymer matrix; when viewed under polarizing optical microscope. Thus, our approach of estimating surface energy of polymer and LC has found to be useful in determining interaction at polymer–LC interface. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41137.     

Dual polymer bonding of thermoplastic composite structures

This paper describes a process that facilitates fusion bonding of thermoplastic composite components without the need for complex fixtures and without disrupting the fiber alignment in the component laminates. The dual polymer bonding process, Thermabond, requires that an interlayer polymer be fused to the surface of each laminate prior to bonding. The characteristics of the interlayer polymer allow for joining of the components at a temperature below the softening/melting point of the reinforced polymer in the composite laminates. This leads to significant processing advantages without significant loss in mechanical performance. Discussions of resin compatibility, the effect of process conditions on mechanical performance, and the application of the APC-2/PEI Thermabond system to various structural components are included.     

Grafting of a liquid crystal polymer on carbon fibers

Covalent grafting of mesogenic chains on carbon fiber surfaces was attempted as part of a study on composite materials containing liquid crystal polymer matrices. Grafting in these composite systems is viewed not only as a mechanism to achieve interfacial bonding but also as an approach to modify the interphase physical structure. The synthetic approach to grafting involved the in-situ polymerization of monomers in the presence of functionalized fibers in order to grow chains covalently attached to the fibers. The chemical mechanism may be viewed as the “transesterification of car boxy lated fibers” with acetylated monomers. The monomers used were pimelic acid, p-acetoxybenzoic acid and diacetoxy hydroquinone which are known to yield upon condensation a chemically aperiodic nematic polymer. Evidence for grafting was obtained from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis on fibers retrieved from composite samples. Interestingly, SEM micrographs of fractured composite specimens containing the mesogen-grafted fibers reveal excellent wetting and interfacial bonding of a liquid crystalline matrix on the carbon surfaces. Based on theoretical considerations for end-adsorbed macromolecules and the nematogenic nature of the grafted chains we infer that dense layers of adsorbed polymer may form at the interfaces studied. From a materials point of view the in situ growth of liquid crystal polymer chains on fibers may offer mechanisms to control composite properties through both bonding and molecular orientation in interfacial regions.     

Structure and property relationship of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer and polyester composite fibers

Poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) composite fibers reinforced with a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer (TLCP) were prepared by the melt blending and spinning process to achieve high performance fibers with improved processability. Polymer composite fibers consisting of cheap polyester and small quantity of expensive TLCP are of interest from an economic point of view and from an industrial perspective. The increase in the birefringence and density of the TLCP/PEN/PET composite fibers with the spinning speed was attributable to the enhancement of the molecular orientation and effective packing between chains in the TLCP/PEN/PET composite fibers. Annealing process resulted in the formation of more ordered and perfect crystalline structure and higher crystallinity, improving the mechanical properties of the TLCP/PEN/PET composite fibers. The increase in the crystallite size and the degree of chain extension with increasing spinning speed resulted in the gradual increment of the long period for the TLCP/PEN/PET composite fibers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006.     

Laser drilling of liquid crystal polymer composite

This investigation studies the laser machining behavior of a glass fiber reinforced liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) composite by using two different types of lasers, namely; pulsed Nd:YAG and excimer. A theoretical model is established to predict the maximum depth-of-drill of the YAG laser machined holes. Moreover, the effects of the YAG laser output parameters on the geometry and the quality of the machined surface of the hole are discussed. The laser machining characteristics of the composite are compared for the two different types of lasers in terms of laser absorptivity. The results show that the glass fiber reinforced LCP has a higher absorption towards UV radiation than infrared light. Scanning electron microscopy examinations were also conducted to assess the surface quality of the machined holes. In YAG laser drilling, a high pulse energy or excessive pulses caused severe carbonization of the surface, and many cracks formed. On the other hand, excimer laser did not cause any significant carbonization of the surface; however, a large number of voids were found in the process affected zone.     

Display forming polymer/liquid crystal composite layers and their stability against external mechanical distortions

The liquid crystal display (LCD) technology is confronted with the task to substitute rigid glass plates enclosing the electro‐optically active liquid crystal (LC) material by plastic substrates. In particular, the commercialization of flexible displays requires a sufficient stabilization against external mechanical distortions. To achieve LC layer stabilization, several procedures have been suggested. In this work, the thermal‐induced phase separation (TIPS) technique has been applied to generate composite films consisting of LC compartments which are encased by coherent polymer walls after binodal phase separation. Composite films were prepared from a series of poly(methacrylates) and various commercial nematic LC mixtures. Furthermore, the use of copolymers as well as binary blends from “hard” and “soft” poly(methacrylates) broadens the possibilities to control the film morphology. To compare different polymer/LC composite films regarding their stability under compression load, the samples were investigated by indentation tests using an inverse reflected‐light microscope combined with a digital image acquisition technique. The deformation of the composite layers was evaluated by the uniDAC image analysis which relies on the more general method of Digital Image Correlation (DIC). Some of the fabricated composites show a remarkably high indentation resistance, especially such prepared from poly(1‐tetralyl methacrylate) and poly(4‐tert‐butylcyclohexyl methacrylate). The results facilitate the selection of suitable composite systems for the fabrication of mechanically stabilized flexible LC displays. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

In-situ composites: Evaluation of the adhesion between the thermoplastic matrix and the fibers of liquid crystalline polymer

Mechanical properties of fiber reinforced composites depend on the formation of stable adhesive bonds between the constituents. In order to evaluate quantitatively the adhesion between liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and a thermoplastic matrix of polycarbonate, the single fiber composite test (SFC), utilized for testing glass or carbon fiber composites, has been used. Neither chemical nor physical interaction has been found: the PC and LCP phases are completely incompatible. However, a mechanical friction between PC and LCP was observed during the drawing of the sample when the neck of the matrix started.     

Preparation and characterization of liquid crystal composite film using photosensitive hydrophilic matrix

Methoxybenzylidene n-butylaniline (MBBA) and ethoxybenzylidene n-butylaniline (EBBA) liquid crystal were synthesized. To investigate the applications of hydrophilic monomers and polymers on the field of liquid crystal composite film, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylic acid (Aa) were selected as monomers for the polymer matrix. To prepare the liquid crystal composite film, MBBA, EBBA, and commercial liquid crystals ZLI-2444, 2452, 2459, and BDH-E7 were mixed with HEMA, Aa, and photosensitive materials and then irradiated by UV light. The electro-optical behavior and the microstructure of the liquid crystal composite films were investigated by He-Ne laser and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The effects of UV light irradiation and monomer ratio on the electro-optical behavior of liquid crystal composite films were investigated. The reproducibility and storage stability of the liquid crystal composite films were investigated. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Induced orientational behavior of liquid crystal polymer by carbon fibers

Experimental results are presented that show that the structure of carbon fibers induces molecular orientation of liquid crystal polymers. X-ray diffraction data are used to demonstrate final collinearity of the polymer molecular axis and carbon fiber axis independent of fabrication approaches or prefabrication orientation of the polymer relative to the carbon fiber direction. The final degree of polymer molecular orientation approximately equals the degree of carbon basal plane orientation within the carbon fiber.     

Thermotropic liquid crystal polymer fabric reinforced polyimide composite materials

An aromatic copolyeste thermotropic liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fabric was used to reinforce a polyimide (PI) matrix to produce composites. The LCP/PI composite was made to eliminate directional difference in the mechanical properties of LCP by controlling the individual reinforcement fabric alignment in different directions without losing any mechanical properties. As a result, a transversely isotropic LCP composite material could be obtained from the highly anisotropic LCP fiber. Interfacial adhesion between the LCP and polyimide was greatly improved by a NH₃/H₂ plasma treatment on the LCP fabric, thereby the significantly improving mechanical properties of the composite. Moreover, inter‐laminar shear strength of the LCP/PI composite was further increased after heat treatment at 220°C for 1 hour. The LCP/polyimide composite retains stable mechanical properties up to 250°C.     

Effect of polymer structures on electro-optical properties of polymer stabilized liquid crystal films

The polymer stabilized liquid crystal (PSLC) film is a relatively novel electro-optical material, which is generally obtained by dissolving a small amount of a bifunctional photoreactive monomer in a low molecular mass liquid crystal. In this paper, the PSLC films were prepared with photoreactive biphenyl methacrylate monomers by photopolymerization induced phase separation. The effects of liquid crystal concentration, curing time, monomer structures and alignment layer on the electro-optical properties of PSLC films were investigated. The results show that the transmittance in the OFF state (T _OFF) increased with the liquid crystal concentration, but the driving voltage decreased. T _OFF was also influenced by the curing time. Furthermore, when polyimide was used as alignment layer, the films prepared from the bifunctional monomer shows a higher T _OFF, while those from the single functional monomer exhibited a deformed electro-optical curve due to the unsteady polymer networks. __________ Translated from Polymer Materials Science and Engineering, 2008, 24(1): 63–66 [译自: 高分子材料科学与工程]     

Polymer crystal silverware: a fast method for the prediction of polymer crystal structures

Summary A method is presented for the fast prediction of polymer crystal structures. From a stable helical conformation of the polymer chain well packed three dimensional periodic starting structures are generated using an adapted version of M. Blanco's Molecular Silverware algorithm. These structures are then energy-minimised using classical molecular mechanics methods. The method only requires a rough estimate of the crystalline density. No information about crystal class, space group or cell parameters is necessary. Using this method, possible crystal structures of poly(ethylene ketone), Nylon-6,6 and poly(ethylene terephthalate) are calculated. Both the - and -structures of poly(ethylene ketone) are correctly predicted. For Nylon-6,6 the lowest-energy structure obtained corresponds to the experimental -structure. For poly(ethylene terephthalate) a large number of structures are generated using the algorithm. Besides the experimental structure four structures are found with a lower energy than the experimental structure.     

Effect of polymer structures on electro-optical properties of polymer stabilized liquid crystal films

The polymer stabilized liquid crystal (PSLC) film is a relatively novel electro-optical material, which is generally obtained by dissolving a small amount of a bifunctional photoreactive monomer in a low molecular mass liquid crystal. In this paper, the PSLC films were prepared with photoreactive biphenyl methacrylate monomers by photopolymerization induced phase separation. The effects of liquid crystal concentration, curing time, monomer structures and alignment layer on the electro-optical properties of PSLC films were investigated. The results show that the transmittance in the OFF state (T_OFF) increased with the liquid crystal concentration, but the driving voltage decreased. T_OFF was also influenced by the curing time. Furthermore, when polyimide was used as alignment layer, the films prepared from the bifunctional monomer shows a higher T_OFF, while those from the single functional monomer exhibited a deformed electro-optical curve due to the unsteady polymer networks.     

Semicrystalline thermoplastic polyimide + polymer liquid crystal blends: Nonisothermal calorimetry and thermogravimetry

Blends of a thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) and a polymer liquid crystal (PLC) were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The presence of PLC enhances orientation in the system and lowers the crystallization temperature-—a manifestation of the channeling effect predicted theoretically (38). The degradation studies show high temperature stability of all blends with the degradation onset consistently above 520°C. The onset decreases with PLC concentration but reaches a plateau above 30 wt% PLC when the PLC-rich islands are formed. The amount of moisture absorbed decreases with the PLC concentration while the moisture does not affect the degradation of the samples significantly. A phase diagram is constructed for the PLC + TPI blends from the DSC and TGA data. A comparison of amorphous and semicrystalline TPI and the characterization of amorphous TPI + PLC blends will be reported later.     

Metallization of a liquid crystal polymer by PVD using a nickel interlayer

In this paper metallization of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate by physical vapor deposition (PVD) is described. Pretreatment of LCP substrates with oxygen-containing plasma improves the adhesion strength between the PVD copper layer and substrate. When a nickel interlayer was used, the adhesion was improved further. Still higher adhesion was also achieved with appropriate bias used during deposition of the nickel interlayer by PVD. Even after 1000 cycles of thermal shock the adhesion strength of Cu/Ni on LCP pretreated with oxygen plasma was still high.     

Thermal expansivity and thermal conductivity of amorphous thermoplastic polyimide and polymer liquid crystal blends

Linear thermal expansivities α_L and thermal conductivities of polyimide (TPI) and polymer liquid crystal (PLC) blends were studied. The glass transition temperatures T_g of our amorphous TPI and the PLC are, respectively, 240 and 220°C. The addition of the PLC induces orientation through the channeling process, as predicted by an extension of the Flory statistical‐mechanical theory of PLCs (27). Channeling was observed at PLC concentrations as low as 5 wt%. Thermal conductivity decreases with the addition of the PLC to the TPI. The anisotropic expansivity of the blends shows a strong dependence on PLC concentration and orientation direction. The pure PLC shows a maximum on the along‐the‐flow expansivity vs. temperature curves and also negative α_L values. TPI addition moves the expansivities to positive values, but the maximum persists, even for 5% PLC only.     

Effect of die geometry on the structural development of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in a thermoplastic elastomer matrix

This study investigates deformation of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) in different die geometries. Blends of aTLCP with a thermiplastic elastomer of EPDM were made in a twin-screw extruder. Morphological observation of the extruded blends demonstrates the complimentary effect of shear in the die exit on dispersed phase deformation and fibril formation. Shear strain can affect fibril formation for a relatively large dispersed phase in the region close to the die wall. However, the main role of shearing is in breaking up the larger particles and initial polydomain structure. A strong elongational deformation on the blended melt after the die exit is required, and fine microfibrils normally obnserved in in situ composites were not easily formed by shear deformation only in the die.     

Bistable light scattering effects in a (side chain liquid crystalline polymer)/(low molecular weight liquid crystal) composite and in a ferroelectric liquid crystalline polymer

The electro-optical effects and aggregation states of liquid crystalline polymer (LCP)/ low molecular weight liquid crystal (LC) composite and ferroelectric liquid crystalline copolymer (FLCP) have been investigated. The nematic LCP was observed to be miscible with the nematic LC over wide ranges of concentration and temperature. The binary mixture showed an induced smectic phase in the range of 80/20-20/80 mol%. The electro-optical effects of the LCP/LC composite in an induced smectic phase could be classified into the turbid (light- scattering) and the transparent states upon application of AC and DC electric fields, respectively. The transient scattering mode was obtained by repeated voltage polarity reversal in the chiral smectic C phase of FLCP. The reversible transparent-opaque (light scattering) change was observed in the chiral smectic C state upon application of DC and AC electric fields, respectively. Both transparent and light-scattering states of the LCP/LC composite and the FLCP could be maintained, even after the electric field had been turned off (memory effect). The bistable effects of LCP/LC composite and FLCP are opposite under the same conditions. A novel type of electro-optical effect on light scattering was obtained for liquid crystalline polymer in the smectic states.