FOLDED CHAIN CRYSTALLIZATION OF RANDOM TERPOLYMER LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMERS FROM THE NEMATIC STATE

The morphology of ca. equimolar random terpolymer liquid crystal polymers of an aliphatic segment of 4-7 carbon atoms, oxybenzoate, and dioxyphenyl crystallized from the nematic state in the form of thin films on glycerine by slow cooling and quenching has been characterized by electron microscopy (TEM) and diffraction (ED). In all cases a folded chain, lamellar structure is found. The ED studies suggest adjacent reentry, and despite a large DELTAH, indicate no change in lateral molecular packing at the crystal-"liquid crystal" transition with a transformation to the nematic state at a higher temperature "liquid crystal"-liquid crystal transition. The results are interpreted as suggesting similar folded chain, lamellar morphology in the nematic state.