Relationship between the microstructure and the microscopic piezoelectric response of the alpha- and beta-phases of poly(vinylidene fluoride)

authors	Nunes, JS; Wu, A; Gomes, J; Sencadas, V; Vilarinho, PM; Lanceros-Mendez, S
nationality	International
journal	APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
keywords	FILMS
abstract	The piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of PVDF mainly depend on its beta-phase. This work reports the study by scanning force microscopy in a piezoresponse mode of the variations in the topological morphology and piezoelectric surface response of beta-PVDF prepared by the main preparation methods of this phase. Clear differences in the poled region distribution and size, as well as in the local piezoactivity, have been identified. The piezoelectric activity at a mesoscale reflects the semicrystalline phase of the polymer.
publisher	SPRINGER
issn	0947-8396
year published	2009
volume	95
issue	3
beginning page	875
ending page	880
digital object identifier (doi)	10.1007/s00339-009-5089-2
web of science category	Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Physics, Applied
subject category	Materials Science; Physics
unique article identifier	WOS:000264809500039