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Updated: Apr 3, 2026

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
Published on: May 15, 2017
Alternation of Side-Chain Mesogen Orientation Caused by the Backbone Structure in Liquid-Crystalline Polymer Thin
Daisuke Tanaka1, Yuki Nagashima1, Mitsuo Hara1
1Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering and ‡Nagoya University Venture Business Laboratory, Nagoya University , Furo-cho, Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
Abstract:
In side-chain-type liquid-crystalline (LC) polymers, the main chain rigidity significantly affects the LC structure and properties. We show herein a relevant new effect regarding the orientation of side-chain mesogenic groups of LC polymers in a thin-film state. A subtle change in the main chain structure, i.e., polyacrylate and polymethacrylate, leads to a clear alternation of mesogens in the homeotropic and planar modes, respectively. This orientational discrimination is triggered from the free surface region (film-air interface) as revealed by surface micropatterning via inkjet printing.
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