Mesogen-free Liquid Crystalline Poly(ethylene oxide) with Sulfonyl Side Chains: Effects of Tacticity and Alkyl Side Chain Length

Atactic and isotactic poly(ethylene oxide)s possessing alkylsulfonylmethyl side chains were synthesized. Because of the strong dipolar interactions among sulfonyl groups in the side chains, they have a tendency of forming self-assembled mesophases even without the presence of aromatic mesogens. These polymers were characterized by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) at various temperatures. These PEO-based comb-like polymers are capable of forming liquid crystals with a double layer structure, which has been determined by temperature dependent XRD. In this presentation, effects of the tacticity and alkyl chain length on the mesophase structure and dielectric properties will be discussed.