Determination of the molecular orientation in the polymeric liquid crystalline systems by low frequency Raman spectroscopy

Anisotropic polymer composites with fixed, oriented liquid crystalline organisation prepared by in situ photopolymerisation of acrylic or methacrylic acids in several cellulose derivatives were investigated by low frequency Raman scattering. The results were interpreted basing on a model of non-continuous structure of polymer glasses. The Raman investigations have shown that the macromolecules of the non-mesogenic (acrylic) component are oriented in the anisotropic composites, and that the orientation of the polyacrylic chains is more pronounced in the composites with higher concentration of the liquid crystalline cellulose derivative. It was found, that the interactions between the components play a crucial role in the formation of the composites (template-like photopolymerisation) and they determine their supramolecular structure. The liquid crystalline cellulose derivatives able to form hydrogen bonds play a role of specific cross-linking agents, while the cellulose derivatives with aliphatic side chains work as plasticisers.