The effect of different photoluminescent side-chain length on the phase behaviour of chiral liquid crystal polymer

ABSTRACT

Fluorescent liquid crystal polymers have attracted much attention because of the combination of fluorescence, liquid crystallinity and processability. In this study, we designed and synthesised two series of photoluminescent cholesteric liquid crystal polysiloxanes, which contained cholesterol mesogens and fluorescein methyl ester with different side chain lengths. The chemical structures and liquid crystal properties of the polymers were investigated by the usual methods. The photoluminescent property were characterised by fluorescence spectroscopy. At the same time, the effects of the lengths of the fluorescent group chains on the liquid crystal and fluorescence properties of the polymers were studied. The results showed that the synthesised polymers possessing very good fluorescent and liquid crystal properties, which may has certain practical value and application prospect.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Photoluminescent
• liquid crystal
• polysiloxanes
• properties

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Joint fund of National Natural Science Fund [U1708258].