Correlation Between the Optical and Mechanical Anisotropy of Cast Poly (phenylenesilsesquioxane) Films

The spontaneous orientation of ladder poly(phenylenesilsesquioxane macromolecules) on the polymer–solid support interface was investigated by using birefringence and dynamic mechanical measurements. Both methods indicate that the thickness of the anisotropic layer in the cast films (prepared by evaporation of a solution in benzene at 25°C followed by drying at 80°C) attains 60 μm. The results of the birefringence measurements show that the anisotropy is due to the orientation of chains along the interface plane.