Unusual Phase Separation Kinetics of Polyacrylate/E7 Blends

Abstract

The transmission versus time curves of in-situ UV-cured Tripropyleneglycoldiacrylate (TPGDA)/E7 films reveal three regions: A first domain corresponding to a transparent film of the initial TPGDA/E7 mixture before exposure to UV light. In the second time domain, the sample exhibits a fast relaxation process just after the beginning of the UV irradiation of the monomer/LC blend. A surprising third domain, characterised by an enhancement of the film transparency, is observed at longer relaxation times. This process, covering a period of time going from several milliseconds to minutes, depends on the conditions of sample preparation and film thickness.