Main-Chain Biodegradable Liquid Crystal Based On Diosgenyl End-Capped Poly(Trimethylene Carbonate)

Main-chain biodegradable liquid crystal based on c diosgenyl end-capped poly(trimethylene carbonate) [Dios-(TMC)n] was investigated. The novel liquid crystal was synthesized through ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate initiated by diosgenin, without adding any catalyst. The chemical structure of resulting polymers was confirmed by (HNMR)-H-1. The liquid crystalline properties were validated by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarising optical microscopy. The results showed that the synthesized Dios-(TMC) n exhibited liquid crystallinity in particular temperature ranges because of the incorporation of the diosgenin moieties.