Abstract
The spinodal equation and the concentration-induced anisotropic-isotropic transition equation of the mixtures of thermotropic liquid crystals and flexible polymers have been studied by using the molecular field theory. The calculations of the phase diagrams of this system show that, besides the isotropic classic spinodal curve, there exists an anisotropic spinodal curve which has not been reported in literature. These two spinodal curves can be linked up by the concentration-induced anisotropic-isotropic transition line. In the various phase regions, demixing may take place due to different phase separation mechanisms. The phase equilibrium curve cannot always join the spinodal curve at a critical point. These results are considered very meaningful for the understanding of the special properties of liquid crystal/polymer composites and very useful for controlling the morphology and the performance of PDLC materials.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 128-136 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Science in China, Series B: Chemistry |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1997 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:* Project supported by the National Basic Research Project-Macromolecular Condensed State, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Trans-Century-Talent Foundation of the State Education Commission of China and the Science and Technology Foundation of Shanghai. + * To whom correspondence should be adressed (Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China).
Keywords
- Liquid crystal
- Molecular field theory
- Phase equilibrium
- Phase separation
- Spinodal