Polymer liquid crystals form the same mesophases as ordinary liquid crystals. Understanding the ways in which the molecules line up is important in understanding their properties.
Side chain polymer liquid crystals show a tendency to separate the backbone from the mesogenic side groups. This is achieved in the smectic phase where the mesogenic groups and backbone chains form individual layers.
Many side chain polymer liquid crystals form what is known as the "double comb" configuration. This structure is formed when side chains point away from the backbone in an alternating fashion. The double comb configuration allows the polymers to form layers characteristic of the smectic phase.
Atactic polymers in addition to copolymers cannot form this structure because the side chains are connected to the backbone in random directions.
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Side Chain PLCs |  |
Applications of PLCs |  |