Effect of clay and of electrospinning on the polymorphism, structure and morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride)

TitleEffect of clay and of electrospinning on the polymorphism, structure and morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride)
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsNeppalli, R, Wanjale, S, Birajdar, MS, Causin, V
JournalEuropean Polymer Journal
Volume49
Issue1
Pagination90-99
Date PublishedJAN
ISSN0014-3057
KeywordsComposite, electrospinning, Poly(vinylidene fluoride), Polymer, polymorphism, SAXS
Abstract

Electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fibers, containing different amounts of montmorillonite clay were produced, in order to study the effect of clay and of the electrospinning process on the polymorphism, structure and morphology of the PVDF matrix, Clay acted as a processing aid agent, avoiding the formation of beads and improving the quality of the fibers. Clay and the electrospinning process acted synergically on the chain mobility, favoring the formation of beta phase of PVDF, the most valuable for its piezoelectric properties, and shaping its semicrystalline morphology. Electrospinning did not significantly aid the dispersion of clay within the matrix. The interplay of formulation and processing in these composites allowed to obtain PVDF-based materials with varying polymorphism, structure and morphology, offering the possibility to ultimately control their functional properties. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2012.09.023
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)3.242
Divison category: 
Polymer Science & Engineering