Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol.104, No.7, 2725-2731, 1996
Theory of Domain Boundary Effects in a Phase-Separated Mixture of Polymer and Liquid-Crystal
We calculate the end results of a phase-separation process in which a nematic liquid crystal is expelled from solution in a polymerizing solvent. Our model combines the essential features of the Flory-Huggins, Maier-Saupe, and Hillert models, and contains terms related to the nature of the anchoring process at the polymer-liquid-crystal interface. We find that there is a minimum size of droplet below which no nematic ordering can occur, and that in the absence of-the effects due to curvature of the interface, homeotropic anchoring gives rise to a lower surface free energy than does planar anchoring.