Thermotropic Aromatic/Lactide Copolyesters with Lateral Methoxyethyleneoxy Substituents

Liquid-crystalline polyesters with lateral methoxyethyleneoxy substituents and phenyl substituents were obtained by melt polycondensation of diacid dichlorides and silylated hydroquinones. Corresponding copolyesters were obtained by addition of oligolactides. The molecular structures of these polymers were verified by IR and NMR spectroscopy. Molecular weights obtained by GPC and end-group analysis proved enhanced molecular weights. All copolyesters were partially crystalline according to WAXS analysis and formed smectic melts upon heating above the melting temperature. Contact angle measurements of solution cast films showed relatively high hydrophilicity and decreasing contact angle with increasing amounts of oligolactide moieties.