Abstract
Abstract A new imine based chiral calamitic compound carrying a ( S )‐3,7‐Dimethyloctyloxy group at one of terminal was synthesized and characterized by 1 H‐NMR, 13 C‐NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy. 4‐Dodecyloxybenzylidene‐4′‐(S)‐(3,7‐dimethyloctyloxy) aniline (DBDMA) exhibits an enantiotropic chiral smectic tilted phase (SmC*) at a low temperature range. The mesomorphic properties of new liquid crystal were determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Polarised Optical Microscopy (POM). A new composite membrane was also prepared from DBDMA and Poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) via solvent evaporation technique. The surface morphology as well as the mechanical behaviour of PHBHHx/DBDMA composite membrane were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). Additionally, cell compatibility tests of the PHBHHx/DBDMA composite were performed by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The surface of PHBHHx/DBDMA composite membrane exhibited a homogenous porosity. The introduction of DBDMA into the polymer media improves the cell viability and mechanical strength.