Liquid crystalline polyaniline and phthalocyanine-based polysiloxanes bearing lateral fluoro-substituted benzoic acid groups

ABSTRACT

A series of novel liquid crystalline polymers (PI, PII, PIII and PIV) containing lateral fluoro-substituted benzoic acid groups was synthesised using cholesteryl 4-(2-propenyloxy)-benzoate, 4-(allyloxy)-3-fluorobenzoic acid and poly(methylhydrogeno)siloxane. PI and PII showed smectic phase, but PIII and PIV showed chiral nematic phase due to more lateral fluoro-substituted benzoic acid groups in the polymer systems. Liquid crystalline polyaniline (PAN) and phthalocyanine (Pc)-based polysiloxanes showing chiral nematic phase were prepared by use of Pc, PAN and these liquid-crystalline polymers via hydrogen bond. PAN-based polysiloxanes showed different liquid crystalline behaviours from Pc-based polysiloxanes due to the difference of molecular structure. PAN-based polysiloxanes showed greater d-spacings between the side mesogenic groups than Pc-based polysiloxanes due to long rod-like geometrical shapes. Hydrogen bond based on lateral fluoro-substituted benzoic acid groups was formed to different geometrical shapes (strip or roundness) between PAN and Pc-based polysiloxanes.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Self-assembly
• liquid crystalline polymers
• fluoro-polymers
• polysiloxanes

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [Project 51273035] and the Fundamental Research Funds for Shenyang City [grant number F16-205-1-03].

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [Project 51273035] and the Fundamental Research Funds for Shenyang City [grant number F16-205-1-03].