Synthesis of a novel nucleating agent with thermotropic crystalline liquid behavior and its influence on the crystallization of polyethylene - (I)Synthesis and characterization of a novel nucleating agent with thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior

A new vinyl monomer, 4-methoxy-diphenoneoxycarbonyl phenyl acrylate (ACDHP) possessing rigid and polar groups, was synthesized by stepwise acylation reaction using p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxyanisole and acryloyl chloride as the chemicals. A new polymer (PACDHP) was prepared by free radical polymerization via the monomer using BPO as the initiator. The chemical structures both of the monomer and polymer were tested through ¹H-NMR and FT-IR measurements. The phase transition temperature, texture structure and thermal stability of the polymer were studied by DSC, hot stage polarized optical microscopy (HS-POM) and TGA. It is confirmed that the PACDHP is a qualified thermotropic liquid crystal polymer with wide phase transition temperature, as well as good thermal stability.