samples is significantly valuable for the preparation of well-defined supramolecular
structures. From smectic PBLG LCs, highly ordered ultrathin PBLG films with
controlled layer spacing and thickness can be prepared. When the rods are oriented
perpendicular to the substrate, they can be used as nonlinear optical and piezoelectric materials [49, 64]. When the rods in the films are organized parallel to the
substrate, the mono- or multilayer films are useful in creating patterned arrays for
use in sensor technology. In addition, the LCs can be further functionalized through
functionalizing the tethered bulky groups or polymer chains. The findings on the
smectic LC structure from modified polydisperse PBLG thus not only promote
understanding of the fundamental physics of rodlike polymers, but also have
substantial impact for the application of rodlike polymers in a variety of
technologies.
2.4 Reentrant Isotropic Transition of Polypeptide LCs
Polymer chains with fully rigid conformation are rare in nature. Usually, the
nematogenic chain molecules are able to adopt a variety of conformations, some
more extended and rodlike than others. Occurrence of liquid crystallite in such
R = C 12 H 25 -, R¢ = H-, n = 43
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
q (A -1 )
Intensity (a.u.)
7.2 nm
3.3 nm
a
b
c
Fig. 5 (a) Molecular structure of dendron-helical polypeptide (DHP) copolymers. (b) Optical
birefringent texture of THF solution of DHP (40 wt%) and proposed layered structures of LC state
(inset). (c) SAXS profile of dried solid of THF solution. Reproduced from [48] with permission of
The Royal Society of Chemistry
168
C. Cai et al.
structures. From smectic PBLG LCs, highly ordered ultrathin PBLG films with
controlled layer spacing and thickness can be prepared. When the rods are oriented
perpendicular to the substrate, they can be used as nonlinear optical and piezoelectric materials [49, 64]. When the rods in the films are organized parallel to the
substrate, the mono- or multilayer films are useful in creating patterned arrays for
use in sensor technology. In addition, the LCs can be further functionalized through
functionalizing the tethered bulky groups or polymer chains. The findings on the
smectic LC structure from modified polydisperse PBLG thus not only promote
understanding of the fundamental physics of rodlike polymers, but also have
substantial impact for the application of rodlike polymers in a variety of
technologies.
2.4 Reentrant Isotropic Transition of Polypeptide LCs
Polymer chains with fully rigid conformation are rare in nature. Usually, the
nematogenic chain molecules are able to adopt a variety of conformations, some
more extended and rodlike than others. Occurrence of liquid crystallite in such
R = C 12 H 25 -, R¢ = H-, n = 43
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
q (A -1 )
Intensity (a.u.)
7.2 nm
3.3 nm
a
b
c
Fig. 5 (a) Molecular structure of dendron-helical polypeptide (DHP) copolymers. (b) Optical
birefringent texture of THF solution of DHP (40 wt%) and proposed layered structures of LC state
(inset). (c) SAXS profile of dried solid of THF solution. Reproduced from [48] with permission of
The Royal Society of Chemistry
168
C. Cai et al.