Title

Phase-Separation Dynamics of a Polymer-Dispersed Liquid-Crystal

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-15-1993

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.

Publication Title

Journal De Physique Iv

Volume

3

Issue

C8

First Page

37

Last Page

40

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