LAUSR

Abstract The synthesis and electro-optical properties of novel side-chain liquid crystalline polymers (SCLCPs) is described. The polymers were liquid crystalline polymers with mesogenic coumarin based side groups separated from the poly (methyl methacrylate) backbone by flexible alkyl spacers of varying lengths. The effect of the flexible spacer length on the phase properties and electric field effects as well as effect of polymer structure on the electro-optical properties of liquid crystalline polymers is investigated. Considering the results of analysis such as DSC and POM, the sample with longer spacer length and more liquid crystal properties was subjected to further characterizations. The particles of sample with longer spacer was covered with a PMMA shell of different thicknesses and their electro-optical properties were studied showing an 80% of change in transmittance by change of applied potential from 0 to 14 V. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study in its kind on this type of structures.