VISCOSITY COEFFICIENTS AND ELASTIC-CONSTANTS OF NEMATIC SOLUTIONS OF A SIDE-CHAIN POLYMER

Nematic solutions of a side-chain mesomorphic polymer in a commercially available eutectic mixture (E7) were characterised by electric field dynamic light scattering (EDLS). Results are presented for twist and splay viscosity coefficients and elastic constants along with dielectric constants and refractive indices. For the polymer solutions, the measured twist viscosity was greater than the splay viscosity, and the elastic constants reduced relative to E7 in a manner consistent with slight disruption of the nematic order by the polymer backbone.