A semicrystalline polymer with high piezo-, pyro-, and
ferroelectric
characteristics, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) offers exciting
possibilities in various applications. The semicrystalline structure
of PVDF is composed of several phases including α, β,
θ, γ, and ε phases. β phase polymorphs of
PVDF exhibit the highest piezoelectric properties, which can be enhanced
through different processing methods. This study aims to investigate
the β phase transformation of PVDF through different processes/treatment
methods and the processing of a PVDF polymer composite containing
0.2 wt % multiwalled carbon nanotubes and/or 20 wt % modified/unmodified
barium titanate. The effects of annealing, uniaxial stretching, rolling,
atmospheric plasma treatment, UV treatment, and their combinations
were investigated. The transformation of α to β phase
was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer
and differential scanning calorimeter. The most remarkable β
phase transformation of PVDF films was obtained by stretching following
solvent casting and hot pressing. It was observed that various process
combinations, as well as the incorporation of additives, influence
the β phase content of PVDF. Alongside studying β phase
content of PVDF, the investigation extends to analyzing the tan δ
and elastic and loss modulus values of rolled PVDF polymer composite
films.