Synthesis and Properties of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystalline Poly (p-Phenylenevinylene) Derivatives

Abstract Poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) derivatives with ferroelectric liquid crystallinity were synthesized by substituting fluorine-containing chiral liquid crystalline (LC) groups into the side chains. The di-substituted monomer showed various LC phases such as chiral nematic (N*), twist grain boundary A (TGBA), and chiral smectic C (SC*) phases. The PPV polymers showed a stable enantiotropic SC* phase characteristic of ferroelectricity, as well as a fluorescence.