Chitosan as matrix for bio-polymer dispersed liquid crystal systems

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Liquid Crystal Technology

Background:

• Bio-polymer dispersed liquid crystals (bio-PDLCs) are advanced materials with tunable optical and electronic properties.
• Chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, offers a promising matrix for novel composite materials.
• Low molecular weight liquid crystals (LMWLCs) are key components in PDLC systems, influencing their performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first-time synthesis of bio-PDLC systems utilizing a chitosan polymer matrix.
• To investigate the successful encapsulation of a specific LMWLC (5CB) within chitosan.
• To characterize the morphology, structure, and properties of the resulting bio-PDLC composites.

Main Methods:

• Encapsulation of 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) within a chitosan matrix.
• Characterization using polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Main Results:

• Successful formation of submicrometric liquid crystalline droplets with uniform size distribution and density.
• Observation of radial droplet configuration within the chitosan matrix.
• Evidence of interface ordering coupling phenomenon anchoring droplets to the chitosan matrix.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates the feasibility of creating novel bio-PDLC systems based on chitosan.
• The characterized submicrometric droplets and interface phenomena provide insights into the material's structure-property relationships.
• These findings open avenues for the development of advanced chitosan-based liquid crystal materials.