Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) encapsulated in monodisperse micron-sized polymer particles were prepared to control the size and size distribution of LC droplets in polymer-dispersed LCs. The poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) seed particles were swollen with the mixture of liquid crystal, monomers (methyl methacrylate and styrene) and initiator by using a diffusion-controlled swelling method. A single LC domain was produced by the phase separation between PMMA and LC through polymerization. The optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that the particles are highly monodisperse with core–shell structure. Moreover, monodisperse LC core domains were confirmed from polarized optical microscope observations. The final particle morphology was influenced by the cross-linking of the seed particle. When linear PMMA particles, which are not cross-linked, were used as a seed, the microcapsules were distorted after annealing for a few days; however, in the case of cross-linked PMMA particles, the core–shell structure was sustained stably after annealing.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 22 November 2000 Accepted: 12 March 2001
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Park, NH., Park, SI. & Suh, KD. A novel method for encapsulation of a liquid crystal in monodisperse micron-sized polymer particles. Colloid Polym Sci 279, 1082–1089 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003960100524
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003960100524