Title: Functionally graded electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride) polymers

Authors: C.M. Costa, J. Gomes, J. Serrado Nunes, V. Sencadas, S. Lanceros-Mendez

Addresses: CeNTI &nash; Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials, Rua Fernando Mesquita, 2782, 4760-034, Vila Nova de Famalicao, Portugal. ' CeNTI &nash; Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials, Rua Fernando Mesquita, 2782, 4760-034, Vila Nova de Famalicao, Portugal. ' Department of Physics, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. ' Department of Physics, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. ' Department of Physics, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal

Abstract: The phase transformation from α to β Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) through an stretching process at a given temperature and stretching ratio allows controlling the phase content and therefore the electroactive properties of the polymer. Inhomogeneous stretching allows tailoring these properties along a given sample and to obtain graded electroactive and optical properties within the same plate of material from the micro to the macroscopic scale, increasing the potential of PVDF for advance applications.

Keywords: FGM; functionally graded materials; ferroelectric; piezoelectric; PVDF; polyvinylidene fluoride; inhomogeneous stretching; electroactive properties; optical properties.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2010.034269

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2010 Vol.39 No.1/2, pp.178 - 185

Published online: 31 Jul 2010 *

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