Swift heavy ion induced ordering and piezoelectric β-phase in poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Abstract

Ion flux dependent swift heavy ions (SHI) induced structural changes have been reported for pristine poly-(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). Ordering phenomena has been observed first followed by its transformation from α to β-form (polar metastable piezoelectric phase). The ordering of (020) plane become prominent at higher ion flux SHI irradiation and its further increase induces structural change from R to β phase as revealed by XRD and FTIR analyses. Structural changes are also supported by morphological evidence and thermal studies before and after SHI irradiation. © 2011 American Chemical Society.