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Reactive oligo(dimethylsiloxane) mesogens and their nanostructured thin films
K Nickmans1, Ph Leclère, J Lub
1Laboratory of Functional Organic Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. a.p.h.j.schenning@tue.nl.
Soft Matter
|May 16, 2017
Summary
Researchers created novel silicon-based liquid crystals that form stable, nanostructured thin films. These materials can be patterned for advanced applications like responsive coatings and membranes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Oligo(dimethylsiloxane)-based materials offer unique properties for advanced applications.
- Reactive mesogens are key components in creating ordered polymer structures.
- Developing nanostructured thin films with controlled alignment is crucial for technological advancements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize oligo(dimethylsiloxane)-based reactive mesogens.
- To investigate the formation of room-temperature smectic phases and their stabilization via photopolymerization.
- To develop methods for creating aligned, nanostructured thin films with potential for micropatterning.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of oligo(dimethylsiloxane)-based reactive mesogens.
- Characterization of liquid crystalline phases using techniques like polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry.
- Preparation of thin films via spincoating.
- Photopolymerization to 'freeze-in' the smectic phases.
- Micropatterning techniques to create defined structures.
Main Results:
- Successfully prepared novel oligo(dimethylsiloxane)-based reactive mesogens.
- Demonstrated the formation of stable room-temperature smectic phases.
- Achieved homeotropically aligned, nanostructured thin films through spincoating.
- Successfully demonstrated micropatterning of these hybrid materials.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized hybrid reactive mesogens are effective for creating aligned, nanostructured polymer thin films.
- These materials exhibit potential for applications in stimuli-responsive coatings and nanoporous membranes.
- The ability to 'freeze-in' liquid crystalline phases allows for robust, patterned nanostructures.
