Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Vol.36, No.23, 2042-2046, 2015
Shape-Memory PVDF Exhibiting Switchable Piezoelectricity
In this study, a material is designed which combines the properties of shape-memory and electroactive polymers. This is achieved by covalent cross-linking of polyvinylidene fluoride. The resulting polymer network exhibits excellent shape-memory properties with a storable strain of 200%, and fixity as well as recovery values of 100%. Programming upon rolling induces the transformation from the nonelectroactive alpha-phase to the piezoelectric beta-phase. The highest beta-phase content is found to be 83% for a programming strain of 200% affording a d(33) value of -30 pm V-1. This is in good accordance with literature known values for piezoelectric properties. Thermal triggering this material does not only result in a shape change but also renders the material nonelectroactive.
Keywords:electroactive polymer;piezoelectricity;polyvinylidene fluoride;shape-memory polymer;switchable