Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, Vol.33, No.2, 237-246, 1995
About the Microstructure of Pcvd Prepared Crystal Mats of Statistical Oligo-Vinylidene-Fluoride-Trifluoroethylene in Relation to Other Fluorinated Polymers
The room temperature phase of the physical/chemical vapor-deposited statistical co-oligomer VDF/TrFE(70/30) has been characterized by different experimental methods such as small-angle x-ray scattering, wide-angle x-ray diffraction, size-exclusion chromatography, infrared absorption and optical refractometry. The characterization of the elastic properties was carried out using high-performance Brillouin spectroscopy in connection with special scattering geometries. The co-oligomer VDF/TrFE(70/30) was obtained by cracking the parent statistical copolymer and subsequently vapor depositing the shortened chains on highly oriented PTFE substrates (PIA-technique). The room temperature phase of the resulting oriented waxy crystal mats of VDF/TrFE(70/30) is predominantly ferroelectric. The physical properties are very different to those of similarly PIA-prepared n-alkanes, perfluoroalkanes, and blockfluoroalkanes. The microstructure of VDF/TrFE(70/30) is interpreted in terms of partially crystalline nano-sized structures giving rise to a marked freezing process below room temperature.
Keywords:FERROELECTRIC PHASE-TRANSITION;BRILLOUIN SPECTROSCOPY;ELASTIC PROPERTIES;OPTICAL-PROPERTIES;COPOLYMERS;FILMS;HYSTERESIS