TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF THE MORPHOLOGY OF A POLY(HYDROXYBENZOATE-CO-HYDROXYNAPHTHOATE) LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMER

The semicrystalline morphology of a 73:27 mol% poly(hydroxybenzoate-co-hydroxynaphthoate) liquid crystal polymer is studied via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. A permanganic etchant was used for TEM sample preparation and the etchant composition was optimized for selectivity of the non-crystalline phase. Crystalline lamellae, developed during cooling from the nematic phase, measure approximately 10 nm in thickness and 100 nm laterally. The lamellae are periodic, having a repeat of 34 nm. Because the molecules are long (approximately 200 nm) and extended, tie chains between lamellae are abundant. Crystallization must therefore occur via small axial shifts of approximately a monomer length. Based on our observations of disclination morphologies, the splay elastic constant is greater than that for bend, indicating considerable molecular semiflexibility. The interior morphology of bulk injection-moulded specimens is also revealed following microtomy and selective etching. Molecular orientation and defect density can be accurately measured.