화학공학소재연구정보센터
Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.122, No.36, 8591-8600, 2018
Influence of Microstructure on the Nanomechanical Properties of Polymorphic Phases of Poly(vinylidene fluoride)
Poly(vinylidine fluoride) (PVDF) is a semicrystalline polymer which is known to exist in several polymorphic phases, namely, alpha, beta, and gamma. Each one of these polymorphic phases is characterized by unique features such as spherulite formation in the case of the alpha and gamma phases and the presence of large piezoelectric and ferroelectric activity in the beta 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 alpha, beta, and gamma phases of PVDF. The modulus and hardness values were evaluated from nanoindentation experiments; it was found that the electroactive beta 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.