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.