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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction

Synthesis of Programmable Main-chain Liquid-crystalline Elastomers Using a Two-stage Thiol-acrylate Reaction

Published on: January 19, 2016

Criticality controlled by cross-linking density in liquid single-crystal elastomers.

George Cordoyiannis¹, Andrija Lebar, Bostjan Zalar

¹Jozef Stefan Institute, 1001, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Physical Review Letters

|February 1, 2008

Summary

Cross-linking density in liquid single-crystal elastomers influences phase transitions. Increasing density shifts the thermodynamic response from first order to supercritical, impacting mechanical fields.

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Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites

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Published on: February 6, 2016

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Physics
Soft Matter Physics

Background:

Liquid single-crystal elastomers exhibit complex phase transitions.
Understanding the influence of cross-linking on these transitions is crucial for material design.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the paranematic-nematic phase transition in liquid single-crystal elastomers.
To determine how cross-link density affects local mechanical fields and the nature of the phase transition.

Main Methods:

High-resolution calorimetry was employed to study thermal properties.
Deuteron-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to probe the orientational order and local fields.

Main Results:

Density variations of rodlike and pointlike cross-links significantly impact local mechanical fields.
The system displays a weakly disordered orientational state with a nematic order parameter profile ranging from first order to supercritical.
Increasing cross-linking density transforms the predominantly first-order thermodynamic response into a predominantly supercritical one.

Conclusions:

Cross-linking density is a key parameter controlling the thermodynamic response of liquid single-crystal elastomers during phase transitions.
The findings provide insights into the relationship between molecular architecture and macroscopic material behavior.