title: Chitosan as matrix for bio-polymer dispersed liquid crystal systems.
abstract: The obtaining of bio-polymer dispersed liquid crystal (bio-PDLC) systems based on a chitosan polymer matrix is reported here for the first time. The new PDLC composites have been obtained by encapsulation of 4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl (5CB) as low molecular weight liquid crystal into chitosan, and they have been characterized by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, electron and transmission scanning microscopy, Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy. Submicrometric liquid crystalline droplets with uniform size distribution and density have been obtained for low liquid crystal content into the PDLCs. The droplets have a radial configuration being anchored into chitosan matrix by an interface ordering coupling phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of Romanian Academy, Iasi, Romania. lmarin@icmpp.ro
authors.forename: Luminita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: Maria-Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Popescu
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zabulica
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uji-I
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fron
mesh_terms: D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D049449:Luminescence; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009570:Nitriles / Q000737:chemistry*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D009570:Nitriles; C433919:4-cyano-4'-pentylbiphenyl; D048271:Chitosan