Cellulose esters have long been used in the manufacture of films for liquid crystalline displays. Historically, these cellulose esters were prepared by traditional methods that provide little or no control of regioselectivity and these cellulose esters can be classified as random copolymers. Early research showed that type of acyl substituent and degree of substitution of the cellulose esters were the primary structural features influencing optical properties. In this account, we present esterification of cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids as an approach for the preparation of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. Placement of substituents is in part dependent upon which ionic liquid is utilized for the reaction medium and in part upon selection of reaction conditions. By comparison of these regioselectively substituted cellulose esters and conventional cellulose esters, we show that cellulose esters with unique optical properties can be obtained via control of regioselectivity and can provide novel performance.

Design of optical films for liquid crystalline displays by control of cellulose ester structure

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.