Chitosan as matrix for bio-polymer dispersed liquid crystal systems

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2013-06, Vol.95 (1), p.16-24
• Main Authors: Marin, Luminita, Popescu, Maria-Cristina, Zabulica, Andrei, Uji-I, Hiroshi, Fron, Eduard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 4-Cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl; Anchoring effect; Applied sciences; Biphenyl Compounds - chemistry; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Liquid Crystals - chemistry; Luminescence; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Natural polymers; Nitriles - chemistry; Ordering coupling at interface; Physicochemistry of polymers; Radial configuration; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Starch and polysaccharides
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.02.028

► Polymer dispersed liquid crystal composites based on chitosan polymer matrix were obtained. ► The 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl liquid crystal droplets have a radial configuration. ► Submicronic droplets were obtained for low content of liquid crystal. ► The micronic dispersion of liquid crystal into chitosan matrix results in a better luminescence. The obtaining of bio-polymer dispersed liquid crystal (bio-PDLC) systems based on a chitosan polymer matrix is reported here for the first time. The new PDLC composites have been obtained by encapsulation of 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) as low molecular weight liquid crystal into chitosan, and they have been characterized by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, electron and transmission scanning microscopy, Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy. Submicrometric liquid crystalline droplets with uniform size distribution and density have been obtained for low liquid crystal content into the PDLCs. The droplets have a radial configuration being anchored into chitosan matrix by an interface ordering coupling phenomenon.