Homeotropic Alignment of a Linear Polyacrylate Having a Side Chain Consisting of a 1st Generation Polypropyleneimine Dendron with Peripheral Cyclohexylphenyl Mesogens

Dendronized LC polyacrylate (PA-G1-6PC5) was prepared by the radical polymerization of the 1st generation polypropyleneimine dendron (A-G1-6PC5) having a focal acryloyl and peripheral mesogenic groups. The PA-G1-6PC5 polymer was a thermotropic liquid crystal with a focal conic fan texture in polarizing optical microgram (POM) observations, indicating the formation of a smectic phase. Upon slow cooling, POM images of PA-G1-6PC5 on a native glass substrate showed a dark field with a crossed isogyre in a conoscopic image indicating the homeotropic orientation. Furthermore, a small amount of PA-G1-6PC5 could induce a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) to vertically align.