Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Various Branched Polymeric Liquid Crystals

We discuss molecular dynamics simulations for several types of polymeric liquid crystals. Dendrimers with a variety of mesogenic attachments are studied in isotropic, nematic and smectic A solvents, with an emphasize on the coupling between molecular shape and the structure of the phase. The structu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular crystals and liquid crystals (Philadelphia, Pa. : 2003) Pa. : 2003), 2008-01, Vol.496 (1), p.186-201
Main Authors: Ilnytskyi, J. M., Neher, D., Saphiannikova, M., Wilson, M. R., Stimson, L. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
azobenzene
dendrimer
molecular dynamics
side-chain polymer
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Summary:We discuss molecular dynamics simulations for several types of polymeric liquid crystals. Dendrimers with a variety of mesogenic attachments are studied in isotropic, nematic and smectic A solvents, with an emphasize on the coupling between molecular shape and the structure of the phase. The structure and dynamics of liquid crystal side-chain polymers are studied within different bulk phases. Here, again a strong coupling is noted between molecular shape and molecular organisation within each phase. We also consider photo-induced deformation in azobenzene-containing polymers and demonstrate that the "opposite sign" of these deformations, observed experimentally in liquid crystalline and amorphous systems, can be explained solely by the reorientation of trans-isomers of azobenzene.
ISSN:1542-1406
1563-5287
1543-5318
DOI:10.1080/15421400802451675