Synthesis and Characterization of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Containing Cyano-Terminated Phenyl Benzoate Moieties
Block copolymers, known for their capacity to undergo microphase separation, spontaneously yield various periodic nanostructures. These precisely controlled nanostructures have attracted considerable interest due to their potential applications in microfabrication templates, conducting films, filter...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/23/7849 |
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| author | Kaito Takahashi Daisuke Taguchi Takashi Kajitani Takanori Fukushima Shoichi Kubo Atsushi Shishido |
| author_facet | Kaito Takahashi Daisuke Taguchi Takashi Kajitani Takanori Fukushima Shoichi Kubo Atsushi Shishido |
| author_sort | Kaito Takahashi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Block copolymers, known for their capacity to undergo microphase separation, spontaneously yield various periodic nanostructures. These precisely controlled nanostructures have attracted considerable interest due to their potential applications in microfabrication templates, conducting films, filter membranes, and other areas. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that microphase-separated structures typically exhibit random alignment, making alignment control a pivotal factor in functional material development. To address this challenge, researchers have explored the use of block copolymers containing liquid-crystalline (LC) polymers, which offer a promising technique for alignment control. The molecular structure and LC behavior of these polymers significantly impact the morphology and alignment of microphase-separated structures. In this study, we synthesized LC diblock copolymers with cyano-terminated phenyl benzoate moieties and evaluated the microphase-separated structures and molecular alignment behaviors. The LC diblock copolymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. Small angle X-ray scattering measurements revealed that the block copolymers exhibit smectic LC phases and form cylinder structures with a lattice period of about 18 nm by microphase separation. The examination of block copolymer films using polarized optical microscopy and polarized UV-visible absorption spectroscopy corroborated that the LC moieties were uniaxially aligned along the alignment treatment direction. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:46:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fd5cda36789549d7a52b0660d6361111 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:46:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-fd5cda36789549d7a52b0660d63611112023-12-08T15:22:32ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492023-11-012823784910.3390/molecules28237849Synthesis and Characterization of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Containing Cyano-Terminated Phenyl Benzoate MoietiesKaito Takahashi0Daisuke Taguchi1Takashi Kajitani2Takanori Fukushima3Shoichi Kubo4Atsushi Shishido5Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1–12, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, JapanLaboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1–12, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, JapanTC College Promotion Office, Open Facility Center, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, JapanLaboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1–12, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, JapanLaboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1–12, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, JapanLaboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, R1–12, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8501, JapanBlock copolymers, known for their capacity to undergo microphase separation, spontaneously yield various periodic nanostructures. These precisely controlled nanostructures have attracted considerable interest due to their potential applications in microfabrication templates, conducting films, filter membranes, and other areas. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that microphase-separated structures typically exhibit random alignment, making alignment control a pivotal factor in functional material development. To address this challenge, researchers have explored the use of block copolymers containing liquid-crystalline (LC) polymers, which offer a promising technique for alignment control. The molecular structure and LC behavior of these polymers significantly impact the morphology and alignment of microphase-separated structures. In this study, we synthesized LC diblock copolymers with cyano-terminated phenyl benzoate moieties and evaluated the microphase-separated structures and molecular alignment behaviors. The LC diblock copolymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. Small angle X-ray scattering measurements revealed that the block copolymers exhibit smectic LC phases and form cylinder structures with a lattice period of about 18 nm by microphase separation. The examination of block copolymer films using polarized optical microscopy and polarized UV-visible absorption spectroscopy corroborated that the LC moieties were uniaxially aligned along the alignment treatment direction.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/23/7849block copolymerliquid crystalmicrophase-separated structurealignment |
| spellingShingle | Kaito Takahashi Daisuke Taguchi Takashi Kajitani Takanori Fukushima Shoichi Kubo Atsushi Shishido Synthesis and Characterization of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Containing Cyano-Terminated Phenyl Benzoate Moieties Molecules block copolymer liquid crystal microphase-separated structure alignment |
| title | Synthesis and Characterization of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Containing Cyano-Terminated Phenyl Benzoate Moieties |
| title_full | Synthesis and Characterization of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Containing Cyano-Terminated Phenyl Benzoate Moieties |
| title_fullStr | Synthesis and Characterization of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Containing Cyano-Terminated Phenyl Benzoate Moieties |
| title_full_unstemmed | Synthesis and Characterization of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Containing Cyano-Terminated Phenyl Benzoate Moieties |
| title_short | Synthesis and Characterization of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Containing Cyano-Terminated Phenyl Benzoate Moieties |
| title_sort | synthesis and characterization of side chain liquid crystalline block copolymers containing cyano terminated phenyl benzoate moieties |
| topic | block copolymer liquid crystal microphase-separated structure alignment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/23/7849 |
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