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2H-NMR investigation after a polymerisation-induced phase separation process*

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Abstract

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) are composite materials consisting of micron-sized droplets of liquid crystal dispersed in a polymer matrix. The easiest method to obtain a PDLC film is the polymerisation-induced phase separation process (PIPS). The liquid crystal is mixed with a monomer of low molecular weight and polymerisation is induced by heat or UV light. The increasing molecular weight of the polymer causes the phase separation of liquid crystal from the polymer matrix as micron-sized droplets. In this work, we have studied the structural changes induced in the polymer matrix of a PDLC after the PIPS process by deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance. Two different selectively deuterated monomers have been synthesized and investigated: isobutyl methacrylate (IBMA-d2) and methyl methacrylate (MMA-d3). The main results were the disappearance of the characteristic two-site hop in poly-IBMA, due to liquid crystal molecules, and the lack of unreacted MMA molecules in the liquid crystal droplets. In this last case, we found that it is possible to confine temporarily the unreacted MMA molecules within liquid crystal droplets.

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Abbreviations

MMA:

Methyl methacrylate

IBMA:

Isobutyl methacrylate

PDLC:

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal

PIPS:

Polymerisation-induced phase separation

2H-NMR:

Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance

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Acknowledgements

Murst, the Italian Ministry of University and Research, is acknowledged for financial support (grants EX 40% and EX 60%).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Chimica, Università della Calabria, 87036 , Rende, Italy

    G. Chidichimo, G. De Filpo & R. Cassano

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università della Calabria, 87036 , Rende, Italy

    F. P. Nicoletta, N. Picci & F. Iemma

Authors
  1. G. Chidichimo
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  2. F. P. Nicoletta
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  3. G. De Filpo
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  4. N. Picci
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  5. F. Iemma
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  6. R. Cassano
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. P. Nicoletta.

Additional information

*Dedicated to Professor V. Bertini for his 70th birthday

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Chidichimo, G., Nicoletta, F.P., De Filpo, G. et al. 2H-NMR investigation after a polymerisation-induced phase separation process*. Colloid Polym Sci 282, 156–161 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-003-0928-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-003-0928-8

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