David Jones with LeShanda Korley (Macromolecular Science & Engr.)

Exploring Barrier Properties of liquid Crystalline Multilayer Films

(started in spring 2010 and finishing in fall 2010)

The objective of this project is to examine the gas barrier properties of co-extruded polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs). The PDLCs will be included in layers between a second polymer, where it is expected that the forced assembly from extrusion will induce liquid crystal alignment in the interphase between layers. The thermotropic nature of the PDLCs will be exploited by quenching the polymerization reaction when the PDLCs are in a specific phase of alignment. It is believed that an alignment phase will introduce a more torturous path for gas penetration. The project will investigate the barrier properties of several PDLCs and their ability to block gas transport.