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Liquid‐Crystalline Polymer Particles Prepared by Classical Polymerization Techniques
Author(s) -
Liu Xiaohong,
Debije Michael G.,
Heuts Johan P. A.,
Schenning Albert P. H. J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.202102224
Subject(s) - polymer , materials science , emulsion polymerization , polymerization , suspension polymerization , precipitation polymerization , suspension (topology) , chemical engineering , particle (ecology) , dispersion (optics) , liquid crystalline , dispersion polymerization , liquid crystal , emulsion , polymer chemistry , polymer science , radical polymerization , composite material , optics , physics , mathematics , oceanography , optoelectronics , homotopy , pure mathematics , engineering , geology
Liquid‐crystalline polymer particles prepared by classical polymerization techniques are receiving increased attention as promising candidates for use in a variety of applications including micro‐actuators, structurally colored objects, and absorbents. These particles have anisotropic molecular order and liquid‐crystalline phases that distinguish them from conventional polymer particles. In this minireview, the preparation of liquid‐crystalline polymer particles from classical suspension, (mini‐)emulsion, dispersion, and precipitation polymerization reactions are discussed. The particle sizes, molecular orientations, and liquid‐crystalline phases produced by each technique are summarized and compared. We conclude with a discussion of the challenges and prospects of the preparation of liquid‐crystalline polymer particles by classical polymerization techniques.