Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanocomposites and their Properties

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has received great popularity because of their excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability and ferroelectricity. It has a simple chemical structure and is crystallized in five different phases including α, β, γ, δ and ε. Since β-phase has a greater dipole moment, its pyro and piezoelectric activity is very high. To date, various techniques including mechanical stretching, applying high pressure, cooling, use of polar solvents, injection molding, polarization under high strain and electrical field, its copolymers derivatives, addition of nano fillers and electrospinning have been discovered and provided in order to increase the β-phase proportion in poly(vinylidene fluoride). The purpose of this review article is to collect and study numerous research reports performed to prepare and characterize of PVDF/multi-walled carbon nanotubes, PVDF/nanoclay and PVDF/other nanofiller polymeric nanocomposites. For updating and helping the readers in order to understand the importance of nanotechnology, it has been tried to study and gather data from authentic journals in the field of PVDF nanocomposites. Moreover, the focus of the present review article is how it is possible to increase the amount of β-phase of PVDF and consequently its piezoelectric property.