Liquid crystalline elastomers based on liquid crystalline side group, main chain and combined polymers

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Abstract
Covalently crosslinked liquid crystalline networks with elastic properties were prepared in isotropic solution from linear liquid crystalline polymers. As linear precursors for the networks were used: (i) polymers with the mesogenic groups in the side groups (polyacrylates and polymethacrylates), (ii) polymers with the mesogenic groups in the main chain (polymalonates) and (iii) polymers with the mesogenic groups in main chain and side groups (“combined liquid crystalline polymers”). In all crosslinked polymers the liquid crystalline phases of the linear polymers are retained. For low degrees of crosslinking (≤2 mol‐%) the phase transition temperatures remain nearly unchanged. These elastomers are very soft above Tg and can be easily stretched for more than 100%. For higher degrees of crosslinking the phase transition temperatures are reduced.