Phase and orientational ordering of A–B–A tri-block co-polymers guest in a quenched host of low molecular weight rod molecules

TitlePhase and orientational ordering of A–B–A tri-block co-polymers guest in a quenched host of low molecular weight rod molecules
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsGutman, L, Cao, J, Swager, TM, Thomas, EL
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume408
Pagination139–144
Date Publishedjun
ISSN00092614
Keywordsliq cryst glass host triblock copolymer guest orientational ordering, phase orientational ordering triblock copolymer guest host
Abstract

We investigate the effects of thermodynamical variables, intermol. interactions and block lengths on phase and orientational ordering of guest tri-block co-polymers in a host glassy matrix of short mol. rods. The A and B blocks can align to the short rod mols. Using a field theoretic formulation we demonstrate the occurrence of a nematic-nematic (N/N) first order transition from a guest stabilized to a guest-host stabilized region, a reentrant transition from a guest stabilized nematic region to a host only stabilized regime via an isotropic phase and the possibility to selectively stabilize the orientation of the A or/and B blocks. [on SciFinder(R)]
URLhttp://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0009261405004744
DOI10.1016/j.cplett.2005.03.151