Abstract
We proposed the "birefringent crystal dopant method" in order to compensate the birefringence of polymers. In this method, the birefringence was compensated by homogeneous doping with a needlelike crystal which has the opposite birefringence to that of the polymers. Strontium carbonate (SrCO 3) was selected for this purpose because it has a large birefringence and a needlelike shape. SrCO3 was synthesized, with a length of about 200 nm and a width of about 20 nm, and doped into a poly-(MMA/BzMA=78/ 22(w/w)) film. The film was drawn at 130°C and 4 mm/min. The orientational birefringence of the drawn polymer film at a wavelength of 633 nm was compensated by doping with 0.3 wt % SrCO3 without losing its transparency and thermostability. The analysis of infrared dichroism of the films showed that the birefringence of the films was compensated at a low concentration of SrCO3 because of its orientation-inhibition effect and its high orientation degree as compared with that of the polymer main chains.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 8342-8348 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Macromolecules |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 22 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2004 Nov 2 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Organic Chemistry
- Polymers and Plastics
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Chemistry