Structure of the nematic mesophase with cybotactic groupsin liquid-crystalline poly(urethane-ester)s

The results of a structural analysis by x-ray diffraction on fiber samples of the nematic mesophase with cybotactic groups of poly(urethane-ester) TDI-[formula presented] [formula presented] , TDI-[formula presented] [formula presented] , TDI-[formula presented] [formula presented] , TDI-[formula presented] [formula presented] , and TDI-[formula presented] [formula presented] as prepared from various mesogenic alkylene di[4-(ω-hydroxyalkyloxy-4-oxybenzoyl)oxybenzoate]s ([formula presented] [formula presented] ; m=2 or 6 and n=4, 6, 8, or 10) and 2,4-toluenediisocyanate (TDI) are reported. Evidence is provided for the existence of two different molecular orderings within the nematic phases with cybotactic groups, to which different internal degrees of correlation correspond. The average dimension of the cybotactic clusters along the director is comprised between ∼260 and ∼560 Å, whereas the average dimension perpendicular to the director ranges from ∼130 to ∼270 Å. Accordingly, the cybotactic clusters present an asymmetrical ellipsoidal-like shape. On the other hand, the correlation length within the nematic liquid crystal surrounding the cybotactic clusters and along the director is between 38 and 45 Å. These values are of the order of the molecular length. These findings highlight the multidomain nature of the mesophase consisting of large and asymmetric clusters surrounded by a conventional nematic endowed with a very low correlation degree.