Amphiphilic liquid‐crystalline networks — phase behavior and alignment by mechanical fields

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Abstract
A cross‐linked polysiloxane carrying non‐ionic amphiphilic side‐groups attached with their hydrophobic end to the polymer backbone is synthesized. The amphiphilic groups are selectively deuterated at the α‐position of the hydrophobic alkyl chains. The phase behavior with water is studied by deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A lamellar phase (La) is observed on the low‐water‐concentration side of the liquid‐crystalline regime. The domains of the La‐phase can be aligned macroscopically by uniaxial compression of the sample.