Synthesis and Characterization of Polyacrylates Side-Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymer via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Abstract

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methacrylate liquid crystal monomer M (4-((4-(2-(acryloyloxy)ethoxy)benzoyl)oxy)phenyl 4-propylbenzoate) was carried out using CuBr/PMDETA complex as catalyst and 2-bromo-2-methyl-propionic acid ester as initiator. The obtained monomer M and polymer P was characterized via infrared spectroscopy and1H NMR. The phase behavior and mesomorphism were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The molecular weight and the structure of the polymers were identified with gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance.