Photoinitiated Polymerization of a Semifluorinated Liquid Crystalline Monomer Exhibiting a Reduced Rate in the Smectic Phase

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-27-2000

Department

Polymers and High Performance Materials

Abstract

The photoinitiated polymerization of a sterically hindered semi-fluorinated monomer, which is characterized by a hindered radical chain propagation site, was followed both in an isotropic and a highly ordered smectic liquid crystalline phase. The polymerization rate is slower in the smectic phase than in the isotropic phase, presumably a result of a decrease in both the propagation and termination rate constants. The decrease in the propagation rate results in a very slow persistent increase in polymer molecular weight after the initiating light source is removed. Polymerization from the smectic phase of the monomer proceeds in a non-equilibrium matrix.

Publication Title

ACS Symposium Series

Volume

755

First Page

54

Last Page

74

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