Skip to main content
Article
Phase-Separation Dynamics of a Polymer-Dispersed Liquid-Crystal
Journal De Physique Iv
  • Thein Kyu, University of Akron Main Campus
  • I Ilies
  • M Mustafa
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-15-1993
Disciplines
Abstract

Phase separation in a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), consisting of a main chain liquid crystal (E7) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), was studied by means of light scattering and optical microscopy. The PMMA/E7 mixture exhibits an upper critical solution temperature (UCST), overlapping with a nematic-isotropic transition of the E7 liquid crystal. Several temperature quenches were undertaken by rapidly transferring the 60/40 PMMA/E7 from a single phase (95-degrees-C) to an unstable region (25, 35 and 45-degrees-C) and by subsequently monitoring the time-evolution of scattering profiles. The time-evolution of structure factor reveals a cross-over of a kinetic exponent from -0.33 to -0.6 or larger slopes at a shallower temperature quench. Multiple droplets appear under a polarized microscopic investigation. Concurrently, nematic disclinations develop within the droplets and annihilation occurs as droplets coalesce.

Citation Information
Thein Kyu, I Ilies and M Mustafa. "Phase-Separation Dynamics of a Polymer-Dispersed Liquid-Crystal" Journal De Physique Iv Vol. 3 Iss. C8 (1993) p. 37 - 40
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/thein_kyu/6/