A series of siloxane-based liquid-crystalline (LC) elastomers were synthesized by using chemical crosslinking agents containing sulfonic acid groups. The crosslink densities of the elastomers were determined by swelling experiments. Two kinds of melting temperature corresponding to crystallization of siloxane matrix and crystallization of LC segments were clearly detected. Some of the polymers exhibited smectic mesophase textures or cholesteric mesophase textures. A proposed model containing LC segment structure and ionic crosslinking lamellar structure separated by siloxane chains was given. The ion aggregated in domains forces the siloxane chains to fold and form an irregular lamellar structure. Ionic aggregates and LC segments may be dispersed each other to form multiple blocks with increasing ionic crosslinking content.

A series of ionic liquid-crystalline (LC) elastomers were synthesized by using chemical crosslinking agents containing sulfonic acid groups, which were siloxane-based materials. A ionic divinyl monomer 2,2¢-(1,2-ethenediyl)bis[5-[(4-undecenoyloxy)phenyl]azo]benzenesulfonic acid was used as chemical cross-linking agent. Cholest-5-en-3-ol(3β)-10-undecenoate was synthesized as a liquid-crystalline monomer. The effective cross-link density of the ionic elastomers was determined by swelling experiments in organic/buffer mixtures. Their liquid-crystalline properties were characterized by DSC, POM, and SAXS. A proposed multilayer buildup containing LC segment structure and ionic cross-linking lamellar structure separated by siloxane chains was given. The ion aggregated in domains forces the siloxane chains to fold and form an irregular lamellar structure. The ionic cluster lamellae may be tangled with the rigid mesogenic groups of LC segments to form multiple blocks. Liquid-crystal mesophase region of the polymers become narrow with increasing ionic cross-linking content.

A novel side-chain, liquid-crystalline ionomer (SLCI) with a poly(methyl hydrosiloxane) main chain and side chains containing sulfonic acid groups was used in blends of polyamide-1010 (PA1010) and polypropylene (PP) as a compatibilizer. The morphological structure, thermal behavior, and liquid-crystalline properties of the blends were investigated by Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The morphological structure of the interface of the blends containing SLCI was improved with respect to the blend without SLCI. The compatibilization effect of greater than 8wt % SLCI for the two phases, PA1010 and PP, was better than the effects of other SLCI contents in the blends.

A novel thermotropic side-chain liquid crystalline ionomer (LCI) containing sulfonic acid groups on the side-chain was synthesized by graft copolymerization of mesogenic monomer 4-allyloxy-benzoxy-4*-methoxyphenyl (ABM) and nonemesogenic monomer 4-allyloxy-azobenzene sulfonic acid (AABS) upon polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS). The chemical structures of the polymers were confirmed by IR spectroscopy. DSC and TGA were used to measure the thermal properties of those polymers and the mesogenic properties were characterized by polarized optical micrography (POM), DSC, and WAXD. The clearing point temperature (Tc) of these liquid crystalline ionomers was enhanced 50-607C compared with the polymer without ionic groups. The LCIs exhibit a broad smectic mesogenic region of 80-907C; the thermal stability below 2007C of the polymers decreases with increasing sulfonic acid concentration. The inherent viscosity of 0.5% solutions decreased with increasing sulfonic acid concentration in the polymer chains.

The miscibility and mechanical properties of the blends of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polypropylene (PP) with a liquid crystalline ionomer (LCI) containing a sulfonate group on the terminal unit as a compatibilizer were assessed. SEMand optical microscopy (POM) were used to examine the morphology of blends of PBT/PP compatibilized by LCI. DSC and TGA were used to discuss the thermal properties of PBT/PP blends with LCI and without LCI. The experimental results revealed that the LCI component affect, to a great extent, the miscibility and crystallization process and mechanical property of PBT/PP blends. The fact is that increasing LCI did improve miscibility of PBT/PP blends and the addition of 1%LCI to the PBT/PP blends increased the ultimate tensile strength and the ultimate elongation.