Liquid crystalline copolymers containing sulfonic and light-responsive groups: From molecular design to conductivity

• Published in: Molecules
• Main Author: Alauddin S.M.; Aripin N.F.K.; Velayutham T.S.; Martinez-Felipe A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85086008246&doi=10.3390%2fmolecules25112579&partnerID=40&md5=a5cf5edc9a31f20d20f7a9d3e4ea0218

In the search for novel smart multifunctional liquid crystalline materials, we report the synthesis, thermal and structural characterisation, and the conductivity, of a set of new block and statistical copolymers, containing light-responsive mesogenic groups (MeOAzB), polar sulfonic acids (AMPS), and methyl(methacrylate) groups (MMA). By using a cascade of reversible addition-fragmentation chain polymerisations, RAFT, we have tailored different side-chain polymeric structures by controlling monomer composition (MeOAzB/AMPS/MMA) and configuration. We have yielded simultaneous liquid crystalline behaviour and appreciable conductivity in polymers with low concentrations of polar acid groups, by the formation of smectic phases in narrow aggregates. The light-responsiveness of the polymers, via reversible trans-to-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene groups, and the local activation of conductivity at relatively low temperatures, opens the possibility to prepare polymer electrolytes for energy conversion and storage, whose conductivity could be controlled and optimised by external stimuli, including light irradiation. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.