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Influence of Microstructure on the Nanomechanical Properties of Polymorphic Phases of Poly(vinylidene fluoride)
Sanjay Jatav, Gangapuram Mallikarjunachari, , ,
Published in American Chemical Society
2018
PMID: 30125503
Volume: 122
   
Issue: 36
Pages: 8591 - 8600
Abstract
Poly(vinylidine fluoride) (PVDF) is a semicrystalline polymer which is known to exist in several polymorphic phases, namely, α, β, and γ. Each one of these polymorphic phases is characterized by unique features such as spherulite formation in the case of the α and γ phases and the presence of large piezoelectric and ferroelectric activity in the β phase. Despite being widely used as thin coatings in sensors, lack of reports on nanomechanical properties suggests that investigation of mechanical properties of PVDF, let alone those of its polymorphic phases, seems to have evaded the sight of the research community. Herein, we report the nanomechanical properties of the α, β, and γ phases of PVDF. The modulus and hardness values were evaluated from nanoindentation experiments; it was found that the electroactive β phase is the softest among the three polymorphic phases. This result was further confirmed by scratch experiments. We have attempted to establish a correlation between the microstructure and nanomechanical properties of these phases. This work sheds light on the mechanisms responsible for the observed mechanical behavior and the role of tie molecules and amorphous content in providing flexibility to the polymer. Copyright © 2018 American Chemical Society.
About the journal
JournalData powered by TypesetJournal of Physical Chemistry B
PublisherData powered by TypesetAmerican Chemical Society
ISSN15206106
Open AccessNo
Concepts (12)
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    Amorphous materials
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    Mechanical properties
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    Microstructure
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    Mechanical behavior
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    NANOINDENTATION EXPERIMENTS
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    NANOMECHANICAL PROPERTY
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    Poly(vinylidene fluoride)
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    POLYMORPHIC PHASIS
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    Research communities
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    Semi-crystalline polymer
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    SPHERULITE FORMATION
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    Fluorine compounds