Publisher's Synopsis
The focus of this book is on the molecular basis for liquid crystallinity in polymers, including lyotropic, thermotropic, mainchain, sidechain systems and mixtures. An entire section is devoted to conformational aspects of polymeric mesogens which is followed by a section describing current molecular theories. Another section on experimental behaviour analyzes the performance of these theories, pointing out areas where further investigation is needed. A final section deals with elastic and viscous properties, with defects and textures and with rheology of LCP. "Liquid crystallinity in polymers" is written by recognized specialists whose various chapters together reach a consensus on the current status of our understanding of LCP behaviour. Specialists, chemists, physicists and biochemists entering the field will find it useful as will material researchers closer to application.
