Solution processable poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based ferroelectric polymers for flexible electronics

Abstract

Since the discovery of piezoelectricity in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) 50 years ago, ferroelectric polymers have established their own areas for research and applications due to their unique properties in comparison to single crystals and inorganics. PVDF is a semicrystalline polymer that can crystallize into five different polymorphs. Among them, the polar β-phase is the most interesting one for electroactive properties because it has the highest dipolar moment and the highest piezoelectric response. In the early days, the β-PVDF was typically produced by melt processing, limiting its form to free-standing films. The rapid development of flexible electronics, however, highly requires β-PVDF fabricated from solutions under mild conditions. The objective of this perspective is to summarize the effective methods to produce β-PVDF from solution, to present the approaches for enhancing the electroactive properties through morphological controls, and to discuss the applications of PVDF-based ferroelectric polymers in flexible electronics. In addition, current challenges that may impede the further development of this field are pointed out.

Stretchable nanofibers of polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposite to support piezoelectric response via mechanical elasticity

“…It has been found that organic piezoelectric materials have greater benefits than inorganic materials, including a higher level of processability 16 . Such materials have been seen to be applicable in a wide range of devices, with polymer-based materials being more preferred due to their intrinsic flexible nature, providing a great degree of bending and biodegradability 17 , 18 .…”

Microfluidic fabrication of β‐phase enriched poly(vinylidene fluoride) microfibers toward flexible piezoelectric sensor

“…It is a semi‐crystalline polymer and has five different crystalline phases‐α, β, γ, δ, and ε, of which α and β are the predominant phases. The nonpolar α‐phase (TGTG′ conformation) is the most common and stable polymorph 10–12 . Nevertheless, the polar crystalline β‐phase exists in all‐ trans (TTTT) conformation, which provides the polymer with the largest dipole moment per unit cell, and thus the highest piezoelectric response.…”

“…[7][8][9] Compared with the rigid and brittle piezoelectric single crystals and ceramics, piezoelectric polymers offer many advantages including lightweight, higher flexibility and much lower dielectric permittivity, which yields a higher piezoelectric voltage constant (e.g., g 33 ) and a higher output voltage when used as a sensor. 10,11 Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is one of the most widely studied and used piezoelectric polymer. It is a semi-crystalline polymer and has five different crystalline phases-α, β, γ, δ, and ε, of which α and β are the predominant phases.…”

“…The nonpolar α-phase (TGTG 0 conformation) is the most common and stable polymorph. [10][11][12] Nevertheless, the polar crystalline β-phase exists in all-trans (TTTT) conformation, which provides the polymer with the largest dipole moment per unit cell, and thus the highest piezoelectric response. Various methods, including mechanical stretching, high-electric field and electrospinning, have been explored to develop β-phase enriched PVDF films.…”

Effect of Graphene Oxide-Boron Nitride-Based Dual Fillers on Mechanical Behavior of Epoxy/Glass Fiber Composites

“…In recent years, polymer-based materials have attained substantial consideration in the fabrication of newer materials for higher appreciable electronics [1], packaging [2], and building applications. Mainly, epoxy resins have gained more interest owing to their better basic and functional properties.…”