Crystal Formation of Polymer-Brush-Decorated Particles Using Blue-Phase Templates

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H03866
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Polymer/Textile materials
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: OHNO KOHJI 京都大学, 化学研究所, 准教授 (00335217)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ポリマーブラシ / 液晶 / 微粒子 / コロイド / リビングラジカル重合 / コロイド結晶

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A copolymer brush was applied to the surface of silica fine particles having a particle size of 5 microns using MMA, LMA, CBMA as monomers. The alignment state of 5CB around the composite fine particles was observed at room temperature under crossed-Nicol arrangement with a polarization microscope (POM). An oriented structure having Boojum defect and Saturn-ring defect at the same time (called Hexadecapolar colloid) was observed around the P(MMA-r-LMA)-brush-decorated fine particles. For fine particles with P(MMA-r-CBMA) brushes, Hedgehog defect showing strong vertical orientation was observed when the molecular weight of the brush is low, and with increasing the molecular weight, Saturn ring defect, Hexadecapolol colloid, ultimately, Boojum defect was observed. Similar molecular-weight dependence on 5CB alignment was observed with the P(LMA-r-CBMA)-brush-decorated fine particles, showing vertical to horizontal orientation change with increasing the molecular weight of the brush.

Free Research Field

高分子化学