Structure–dynamics relationship during the amorphous to smectic transition of a main chain liquid crystalline polymer

The isothermal amorphous to smectic phase transformation of a polybibenzoate was investigated by simultaneous medium- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (MAXS and WAXS) and dielectric spectroscopy (DS). By this experimental approach, simultaneously collected information was obtained about the specific changes occurring in both amorphous and smectic phases during the transformation. The main experimental features can be explained assuming a transformation mechanism involving the initial growth of smectic domains, during a primary time period, and the improvement of order in the smectic domains during a secondary time regime.