Effect of Polymer Matrix Density on Molecular Segregation and Orientational Ordering by a Hybrid Computer Simulation

Authors

Grace M. Foo, National University of Singapore
Ras B. Pandey, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-15-2000

Department

Physics and Astronomy

School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Abstract

A hybrid computer simulation is used to study the effect of heterogeneous matrix density (p_b) on the segregation and orientation of short-chain molecules, i.e., dimer, trimer, etc., a model for polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) in an external field. Size of molecular aggregates is found to increase with the matrix density, a polymerization-induced segregation consistent with the recent experimental observation (Boots and coworkers, Macromolecules 29 (1996) 7690; Liq. Cryst. 22 (1997) 145,255.). For low molecular weight liquid, the orientational ordering decreases monotonically with p_b, while the orientation in a higher weight liquid depends nonmonotonically on p_b.

Publication Title

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Volume

282

Issue

3-4

First Page

375

Last Page

383

Recommended Citation

Foo, G. M., Pandey, R. B. (2000). Effect of Polymer Matrix Density on Molecular Segregation and Orientational Ordering by a Hybrid Computer Simulation. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 282(3-4), 375-383.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/4159