Phase behaviors of side chain liquid crystalline block copolymers

Abstract

The microphase separation of side chain liquid crystalline (SCLC) block copolymers was studied using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. The block copolymer monomer consists of flexible A segments and flexible B segments grafted by rigid C side chains, where the A, B and C blocks are incompatible with each other. The phase structures of the SCLC copolymers were found to be controlled by A and C block lengths and the graft number. Various mesophases, such as spheres, cylinders, gyroids, and lamellae, were obtained. Phase stability regions in the space of C block length and A block length (or graft number and A block length) were constructed. The packing ordering of C side chains was also studied, and discovered to increase as the temperature decreases or the rigid C side chains increase. In addition, the results of the SCLC copolymers were compared with those of flexible copolymers and available experimental observations. The simulation results in the present work provide useful information for future investigations on SCLC copolymers.

The Role of Liquid Crystalline Side Chains for Long-range Ordering in the Block Copolymer Thin Films

“…According to the flexible coil-coil model in Leibler's theory, amorphous symmetric BCPs were predicted to form lamellar structure. However, the studied side chain liquid crystalline (SCLC) block copolymers were recently predicted to exhibit cylindrical morphology [24,25] even at symmetric block volume fraction, which are consistent with the discoveries in this study. Remarkably, the peaks labeled with upsidedown blue triangles were attributed to the featured periodicity from LC side chain, which were further verified by the WAXD of bulk samples as shown in Fig.…”

Self‐assembly of side‐chain liquid crystalline block copolymers to anisotropic polymeric nanoparticles

“…Due to the anisotropic LC ordering, the interface between the core and shell was deformed and non‐spherical assemblies could be obtained 91 . What is more, the packing ordering of LC blocks could be increased with increasing temperature or enhanced LC properties 92 …”

Dissipative Particle Dynamics Aided Design of Drug Delivery Systems: A Review

“…(II) The nanoparticle is equivalent to a large-volume bead, and other small beads can be modified on the surface of these large beads with bead bonds to change the solvophilicity of those nanoparticles. By virtue of those modeling methods, researchers have completed a series of studies on the self-assembly of liquid crystal polymers (polymer with rigid molecular side chains), − and then nanorods, , nanotubes, ,, and other nanoparticles − were successfully modeled and introduced into the DPD simulation.…”