| Abstract: | Liquid crystal side-chain polymers (LCP), where the polymer architecture consists of a polymer backbone, flexible spacers, and mesogenic groups, are of considerable interest as they promise desirable electro-active properties, including pyroelectricity and electro-optic display phenomena. Induced polarization in the LCP system remains stable at ordinary temperatures, and therefore these systems are suitable for sensor materials for pyroelectric applications where switching times are less important. The dielectric applications of the polarized LCP system are also of importance if they are to be used as thin film electro-active devices. This paper reports the results of the dielectric and pyroelectric characterizations of six different polymers over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures. To elucidate the effect of a variation of chemical structure on the macroscopic properties, the structure of the mesogenic moiety was kept constant, and the length of the spacer and the size of the polymer backbone were varied. |
