Polymer Networks Based on Polyaniline and Sulfonic Acid-Containing Liquid-Crystalline Polymers

Abstract

Sulfonic acid-containing Liquid-crystalline polymers (LCPs) were synthesized using potassium 2,5-dihydroxybenzenesulfonate, biphenyl-4,4'-diol, and decanedioyl dichloride in an esterification reaction. Polyaniline (PAN) was doped by the synthesized LCPs to obtain a series of polymer networks. Some electrorheological (ER) fluids were prepared using the synthesized polymer networks and silicone oil. The chemical structure, liquid-crystalline behavior and ER effect were characterized by use of various experimental techniques. The synthesized sulfonic acid-containing LCPs and polymer networks showed nematic mesophase. The polymer networks show higher glass transition temperatures than the corresponding LCPs. The ER effect of the polymer networks suspensions was greater than PAN indicating that a synergistic effect should be occurred between liquid crystalline component and PAN part under electric fields.