Banded texture decoration of disclinations in a main chain thermotropic aromatic copolyester observed by optical microscopy

Abstract

A new method for the study of texture and director patterns in a main chain thermotropic aromatic copolyester with a flexible spacer is described, whereby the molecular chain or director orientation of the nematic mesophase becomes decorated by the formation of a banded texture during quenching, without being subjected to a shear. The pattern of the decorated banded texture may be observed directly by polarizing optical microscopy, revealing the complete texture of molecular chain orientation across the whole specimen. The molecular director orientation lies perpendicular to the long axis of the bands. Various types of disclination, including an inversion wall, in the nematic mesophase of a thermotropic aromatic copolyester have been observed. This decorating technique is particularly suited for non-crystallizable main chain liquid crystalline polymers, where the lamellar decoration technique fails.