Structure of polymer networks dispersed in liquid crystals: Small angle neutron scattering study

Abstract

We present the first small angle neutron scattering studies on liquid crystal polymer composite systems, where small amounts of polymers are dispersed in liquid crystals. A recent study (A. Jákli, D. R. Kim, L. C. Chien and A. Saupe, 1992, Appl. Phys. 72, 3161) showed that even 1 wt% of polymer can induce phase separation in the form of fibres. We have found that the cross-sectional radius of such fibres is typically 300 A and they have rough surfaces. The spatial distribution of the fibres does not change during the phase transitions of the liquid crystal. We have found that there is a correlation between the size of the separated polymer particles and the roughness of their surfaces: larger objects have less smooth surfaces.