Dielectric spectroscopy of polyazomethine with vinylene moieties in the main chain

Abstract

We have explored the dielectric properties of polyazomethine with vinylene moieties in the main chain (PAZ-PV). The dialdehyde 2,5-bis(hexyloxy)-1,4-bis[(2,5-bis(hexyloxy)-4-formyl-phenylenevinylene]benzene was polymerised in solid-state with the diamine poly(1,4-butanediol)bis(4-aminobenzoate). The polymer obtained exhibited liquid crystal properties. The molecular dynamics and phase transitions including the liquid crystal phase of PAZ-PV were investigated by dielectric spectroscopy. The dielectric constant decreases with a decrease in the temperature, except in the nematic phase region, where a slight increase was observed. The temperatures of the phase transitions were well seen and were compared with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarised optical microscopy experiments. All values determined from dielectric data were a few degrees higher than those obtained in previous measurements (DSC).

Keywords:

• polyazomethines
• dielectric spectroscopy
• liquid crystals
• mesophase

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr P. Rannou for the gift of the PBBA470.