Cholesteric fluorescent liquid crystal polysiloxanes with different liquid crystal side chain lengths—Synthesis and properties

Abstract With polymethylhydrogensiloxane (PMHS) as the main chain, two series side-chain cholesteric liquid crystal polymers (ChLCPs) with different liquid crystal side chain lengths were prepared by hydrosilylation reaction. Then two series of cholesteric fluorescent liquid crystal polymers (FL-ChLCPs) were obtained by etherification reaction. The obtained FL-ChLCPs have both excellent mesomorphic behavior, and great photoluminescent property. We confirmed their chemical structures by FT-IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and found them with excellent thermal stability by TGA. We characterized their mesomorphic behavior and thermal performance by POM, DSC and XRD, and confirmed all the polymers belonged to cholesteric phase. FL-ChLCPs emitted different-intensity fluorescence under UV light, and we found some regularity by PL spectrum.