Phase separation of liquid crystal–polymer mixtures

Abstract

Phase separation in liquid crystal–polymer mixtures is studied by computer simulations in two dimensions. The domain morphology resulting from the phase separation either by temperature quench or by polymerization is investigated by solving the coupled set of equations for the local volume fraction and the nematic order parameter. In a temperature quench, it is found that transient concentric domains are constituted near the nucleation regime of nematic ordering. Phase separation induced by polymerization is modeled by taking into account the time dependence of the molecular weight of polymer chains. Assuming a strong concentration dependence of the mobility, a transient network-like domain of polymer-rich phase is formed. The morphology is compared with the experimental results.