Dynamic mechanical and thermal behavior of thermotropic polyesters based on 4,4′-alkane-1-ω-diylbis(4-hydroxybenzoic acid) and 4,4′-(pentane-1,5-diyloxy)dibenzoic acid

Thermotropic polyesters based on 4,4'-alkane-1-omega-diylbis(4-hydroxybenzoic acid) and 4,4'-(pentane-1,5-diyloxy)-dibenzoic acid were studied by dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing microscopy. The effect of structure changes in the mesogenic group as well as in the flexible spacer, in particular the incorporation of Cl atoms into the mesogen, introduction of ether oxygen into spacer and the number of CH2 groups in spacer was investigated. More complex mechanical and thermal behaviour was found on second heating scan than on first cooling of the isotropic melt; higher values of mechanical functions were observed in the isotropic state than in the nematic state of melts. While an even number of CH2 groups and the presence of ether oxygen in spacer shifts the transition temperatures to higher values, the incorporation of Cl atoms into the mesogen leads to disappearance of ordered structure and the polymers behave as amorphous materials. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.