Conformation of side chain nematic polymers in nematic solutions: a small-angle X-ray scattering study: SAXS

Using a small-angle X-ray scattering technique, we have determined the sizes of side chain mesomorphic polymers diluted in a low-molecular-weight liquid crystal, respectively, parallel (R parallel) and perpendicular (R perpendicular) to the director of the nematic medium (n0). We found a significant difference between the two values, with R parallel > R perpendicular. These results are a direct proof of the anisotropy of the polymer conformation in a nematic medium; they permit to check the validity of the interpretation that we have previously given for the hydrodynamical behaviour of such solutions