(246d) Photopolymerization In Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Templates for Improved Mechanical and Transport Properties

A promising method of synthesizing polymers with useful property relationships utilizes self-assembling lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) as polymerization templates to direct polymer structure on the nanometer scale.  Of particular importance is the potential to improve and tailor properties dependent on local order including mechanical strength and molecular transport by controlling polymer nanostructure.  Herein, ordered nanostructures are generated in organic polymers through photopolymerization in LLC templates.  Properties including solvent uptake, mechanical strength, solute release, and stimuli-response are significantly improved in polymer systems containing LLC nanostructure.  These results could allow development of polymers with particular properties required for successful performance in a growing number of advanced biological and industrial applications.