A Novel Imine Based-Liquid Crystal/PHBHHx Composite: Synthesis and Characterization

Abstract

A new imine based chiral calamitic compound carrying a (S)-3,7-Dimethyloctyloxy group at one of terminal was synthesized and characterized by H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. 4-Dodecyloxybenzylidene-4 '-(S)-(3,7-dimethyloctyloxy) aniline (DBDMA) exhibits an enantiotropic chiral smectic tilted phase (SmC*) at a low temperature range. The mesomorphic properties of new liquid crystal were determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Polarised Optical Microscopy (POM). A new composite membrane was also prepared from DBDMA and Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) via solvent evaporation technique. The surface morphology as well as the mechanical behaviour of PHBHHx/DBDMA composite membrane were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). Additionally, cell compatibility tests of the PHBHHx/DBDMA composite were performed by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The surface of PHBHHx/DBDMA composite membrane exhibited a homogenous porosity. The introduction of DBDMA into the polymer media improves the cell viability and mechanical strength.